By COLlive reporter
This Yud Alef Nissan, celebrating the Rebbe’s birthday extended to Friendship Circles around the world, with an FC Global Unity Event on Yud Nissan, and two farbrengens for Lubavitchers and Shluchim who have special needs and their families on Wednesday, Yud Alef Nissan.
These events brought Yud Alef Nissan celebrations to many people who otherwise would not have had access to an engaging and inspirational program about the Rebbe in honor of the Rebbe’s birthday.
The global event integrated tochen about the Rebbe and Yud Alef Nissan with a varied, themed program including live music, professional storytelling, a slideshow of Friendship Circles from around the world, an interview with Shluchim Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov, the founders of Friendship Circle, an art activity and interactive learning.
Participants enjoyed the band Distant Cousins, who played inspirational songs, and international storyteller Karen Golden, who mesmerized the audience with her riveting Rebbe story.
The event was professionally produced in a studio in Los Angeles, with Rabbi Michy and Miriam Rav-Noy, Directors of Friendship Circle of Los Angeles hosting the program. With visuals and interactive activities, the Rav-Noys taught about the Rebbe.
The event was coordinated by Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin, Educational Director of Friendship Circle of Los Angeles.
The Rebbe’s power to inspire and his message that it’s up to us to bring Moshiach was brought out in several ways. Rabbi and Mrs. Shemtov spoke about how they began Friendship Circle, and who inspired them to begin it – the Rebbe.
“Ever since I was a young girl, I always knew I was going to grow up and be an emissary,” explained Mrs. Shemtov. “We didn’t make 85 Friendship Circles. It was really, really, really, the Rebbe,” said Rabbi Shemtov.
VIDEO: Interview with Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov.
Friendship Circles from all over the US and Australia joined with 144 views on the Youtube Live link, and 60 households that logged into the zoom, bringing approximately 250 people. to this first event. This was a great turnout for a first event of its type!
Additionally, over 35 Lubavitchers and Shluchim families logged in to enjoy Yud Alef Nissan Farbrengens, separate for males and females. All the elements of a farbrengen were there, created in a way that was engaging and thoughtful.
The bochurim who ran the farbrengen, Mendel Rav-Noy and Yechezkel Pinson, also utilized the opportunity to put tefillin on with the owner of the studio, Elliot Samson, who had not yet put on tefillin that day. Volunteers Aidy Mishulovin and Tzivi Klein helped run the women and girls’ farbrengen.
VIDEO: Full Event
Supporting the event, several mosdos collaborated with Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, bringing this concept to fruition:
Farbrengen in a Box, a division of Merkos Suite 302; Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz and Rabbi Moishy Schapiro
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn; Rabbi and Mrs. Majeski and coordinator Rochel Karp
Friendship Circle International; Rabbi Mendel Groner, Mrs. Estie Marosov, and Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov
Friendship Circles across the globe
Yaldei Shluchei HaRebbe, a division of Merkos Suite 302; Rabbi Sholly Weiser
To partner in sponsoring this great peulah, and further peulos bringing Chassidus to people of all abilities and diverse communities, please email [email protected]
I was a volunteer at FCLA for many wonderful years, Rabbi Michy and Miriam Ravnoys sincerity in the rebbes shlichus was truly memorable. I have learnt so much from them and continue to learn from them every day!
Miriam and Michy Rav-Noy are the most amazing CEO’s of friendship circle of Los Angeles. The Global Unite Event was amazing and you both spoke beautifully. You both play a very important role. Hatzlacho rabba.
WOW This was an amazing event and gives the Rebbe a lot of Nachas