By Chabad.org and COLlive.com
The resilience of Jewish life amid the devastation wrought by the global coronavirus pandemic will be the major theme of this year’s Kinus Grand Event, which is the virtual stand-in for the Gala Banquet that annually caps the International Kinus Hashluchim convention.
The event, which will stream live at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, will highlight the work done by Shluchim during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to meet the novel challenges brought about by the global emergency and to continue their mission to serve every Jew, a mission charged to them by the Rebbe, whose vision and leadership continues to guide us 26 years after the Rebbe’s passing.
The event will open with remarks from Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, director of the Kinus and vice chairman of Merkos, who will welcome the viewers from around the world.
The event will highlight the dedication of Shluchim from around the world during challenging times, including a story of hope featuring Rabbi Mendel Cohen of Mariupol, Ukraine and the Wolff family of Hanover, Germany. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos, will speak as well. Dvar Torah will be given by Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum of Pittsburgh, PA.
Musical Entertainment will be by Avremi G., Band led by Nochi Krohn, and will feature singing sensation Eli Marcus.
The event will include an address by attorney Nathan Lewin, whose decades-long effort to defend the right to place the menorah in the public sphere is perhaps more relevant now than ever amid rising anti-Semitism and the reality that for many, this Chanukah, the only way to safely celebrate in the company of others will be outdoors.
The keynote address will be delivered by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, who directs Chabad of Belgravia in London and authored a number of works exploring the Rebbe’s approach, including Seeds of Wisdom I and II, A Time to Heal, and most recently, Positivity Bias.
A poignant and painful note will be struck during the event as well. Annually, time is taken during the convention’s banquet to remember those emissaries who have passed on during the previous year. The more than 1,200 Jewish victims of the pandemic will be remembered as well, with prayerful wishes that the world should know no more pain.
A highlight of the annual Banquet is the Roll Call, led by Rabbi Kotlarsky, which highlights the expansion of the network of Shluchim around the world and celebrates the opening of centers in new countries and territories. It will be especially poignant this year with the addition of more than 100 new rabbinic couples in scores of new Chabad centers around the world.
While it will take place virtually this year, the Roll Call is certain to bring the electricity of the celebration of Jewish life into living rooms around the world and into the hearts and minds of thousands of viewers.
LIVE: Sunday, 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Thank you for singing tzomo lecho nafshi right!!!
Way too emotional.crying crying
A huge round of applause! Much continued success!👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🍷🍾
Yasher Koach for a meaningful and uplifting event, especially in light of these extraordinary times! Todah Rabah!
Yasher Koach on such a meaningful and inspirational program! So proud to see the ongoing and amazing work Chabad does throughout the world. An incredible production especially during these extraordinary times. Todah Rabah!
Gevaldig
Thank you!