By COLlive reporter
On Rosh Chodesh Elul, 70 Chabad Shluchim from the Mid-Atlantic region came together for their annual regional Kinus for rabbis from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia and W. Virginia.
The one day conference was hosted by Rabbi Berel and Chaya Wolvovsky at their Chabad of Silver Spring in Maryland.
The morning session featured an idea-sharing roundtable discussion regarding new fundraising methods, with shluchim presenting approaches that work well in their respective mosdos.
During lunch, Rabbi Yaakov Cohen, President of BECO Management and a primary supporter of Chabad in Maryland and many Shluchim, shared the story of his journey to Chassidus, as well as helpful marketing tips to assist Shluchim in reaching varied demographics of Jews.
In preparation for the upcoming Hakhel year, Rabbi Yossi Greenberg, Shliach in Anchorage, Alaska, described the unique happenings during Shnas Hakhel 5748 by the Rebbe. Shluchim were encouraged to learn the sichos of 5748 and implement the Rebbe’s directives for Shnas Hakhel in their respective communities.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch and Shliach of Washington, DC, shared insights with regard to how Shluchim should interact with public officials. He described the great opportunities that are available as well as the potential pitfalls that must be avoided.
During the next session, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch who organizes the regional Kinus conferences, spoke passionately about the importance of personal hiskashrus.
Renowned author and speaker Rabbi Shais Taub of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania then demonstrated various ways to deliver the Rebbe’s messages to all types of Jews throughout the Yomim Nora’im.
Rabbi Shraga Sherman, Director of Chabad of the Main Line in Pennsylvania, spoke very movingly about his Tishrei experiences by the Rebbe and how he tries to relive them while at his shlichus post.
The final afternoon session was an intimate discussion on a variety of topics including the Chassidishe chinuch of their children and collaboration amongst the region’s shluchim.
The kinus concluded with an elegant banquet chaired by the host, Rabbi Wolvovsky. An inspirational video of the Rebbe was followed by welcoming remarks by Head Shliach of Maryland, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan.
The guest speaker was attorney Marty Jacobs of Silver Spring who shared many personal stories of the interactions of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yankel Katz of Chicago, with the Frierdiker Rebbe and Rebbe.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky closed the evening with encouraging remarks and warm brochos to the shluchim. Participants returned home invigorated and encouraged by the day spent with their fellow shluchim.
