Lubavitch Heads to DC

By COLlive reporter

Senior Obama administration officials and Congressional leaders will be welcoming Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchim and supporters at the White House and the Capitol next week, COLlive.com has learned.

In Washington, DC for the Living Legacy Conference, the Lubavitchers will be briefed about matters of interest to the U.S. Jewish community, including security, the economy, ties with Israel, and other policy issues.

The theme of the June 15-17, 2010 conference will be “Leadership” and will comprise of a serious reflection on the lasting impact, over the last 6 decades, of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, since he assumed leadership in 1950.

Those efforts have resulted in over 3,500 Jewish educational and social service institutions in 47 states and over 80 countries, making it the largest and fastest growing Jewish network in the world today. The Rebbe was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, America’s highest civilian honor, in 1994.

The prestigious program is being organized by American Friends of Lubavitch in Washington, DC, the mandated representative of Chabad-Lubavitch to the US governement and the international/diplomatic arena.

The specific dates are set to coincide with Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s yahrzeit.

According to the invitation, events taking place will include a breakfast at the US Capitol with Congressional Leadership and Congessmen and Senators from around the country.

At a luncheon, 50 foreign ambassadors and senior members of the diplomatic corps will join shluchim and guests from their countries. Jack Lew, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, will be joining them.

Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel will be delivering the keynote address at the gala banquet, which will also feature a special musical performance by Avraham Fried, and greetings from the Mayberg Fellows – 50 student leaders from around the country who will be participating – will grace the banquet as well.

There will also be a special lecture presentation at the Ronald Reagan Building Ampitheater, and “regional caucuses” for guests to meet participants from their region.

Many prominent representatives from various Jewish organizations are expected as well.

Hundreds of Shluchim and Chabad supporters have already registered for the event, which is by invitation only, with credentials necessary for access to events due to security.

Hotel rooms at special rates for this conference are becoming increasingly scarce as the supply in the city is tight for the dates of the conference, which coincides with a major medical convention at that time.

For more information, or to request an invitation, email [email protected]