Merkos Shlichus Paid Off

By COLlive staff
Photos by Chaim Perl

Some 400 bochurim heading out on Merkos Shlichus this summer gathered in the Jewish Children’s Museum Thursday for an afternoon of guidance and inspiration.

The students are embarking on journeys that will take them to all corners of the globe, seeking out Jews of all shades and stripes, offering the opportunity to connect to their heritage.

A slew of speakers addressed the volunteers, impressing upon them the importance of the mission at hand, and offering practical tips and tracks to ensure success.

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, regaled the crowd with numerous stories of Merkos Shlichus throughout the years. Indeed, since its inception by the Rebbe in 1943, Merkos Shlichus has resulted in the building of communities, and has bettered the lives of countless individuals.

Over the years, the Rebbe often gave the bochurim special encouragement and instruction. Lahak director Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook shared many of these with this year’s group, noting the incredible focus the Rebbe placed on this program.

Rabbi Boruch Dov Lesches, Rabbi of the Chabad community in Monsey NY, gave the students practical Halachic guidance, touching on many pertinent halachos, including keeping Shabbos in a modern day hotels.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky spoke of the importance of keeping an accurate duch, and value it has both during the Shlichus and in the months and years that follow.

Perhaps the highlight of the session was the inspiring talk from the Shliach in Wyoming Rabbi Zalman Mendelsohn, whose move Jackson Hole came as a result of his Merkos Shlichus visits there.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is that you come prepared with Torah,” he said. “Anyone who has ever done any sort of Shlichus knows that ‘Torah is the beste schoira.’ It’s your greatest tool.”

“At all times, you have to be cognizant of your mission and who you are representing,” he stressed.