A significant milestone was commemorated at the annual Kinus of New York shluchim, who convened in honor of Beis Iyar, marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Hamerkozis.
This year marks seven decades since the Rebbe personally founded Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Hamerkozis (Tzach), widely known as the Lubavitch Youth Organization. The Rebbe founded Tzach on Beis Iyar 5715.
The farbrengen highlighted the organization’s distinctive role since its inception and its continuous expansion in both Chabad Houses and special peulos.
The evening was dedicated to the memory of the longtime Menahel, Rabbi Shmuel Butman OBM, who served as Director of Tzach for nearly 60 years.
Distinguished speakers addressed various topics, including the Lubavitch Youth Organization’s history, personal recollections of Rabbi Butman, and practical suggestions for a variety of activities. Shluchim shared inspirational moments and personal narratives, culminating in a special keynote address that contributed to an exceptionally inspiring evening.
The gathering commenced with the recitation of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s kapitelach, led by Rabbis Velvl and Yosef Y. Butman. The evening was dedicated in memory of their father, Hachossid Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, the legendary director of Tzach for almost six decades.
The program began with a Dvar Malchus video featuring the Rebbe discussing the profound significance of 70 years and the unique “Lechatchila Ariber” approach of the Rebbe Maharash.
Rabbi Aharon Ginsburg, Director of Chabad of Boro Park served as Master of Ceremonies. He highlighted the special letter the Rebbe wrote regarding Tzach’s establishment, wherein the Rebbe promised “Yad Hachasidim Al Ha’elyonah” (the upper hand will be with the Chassidim). Rabbi Ginsburg emphasized that despite challenges, ultimate success in our work is assured.
He also fondly remembered Rabbi Shmuel Butman, who was instrumental in organizing the yearly farbrengen, and whose inspiring messages consistently uplifted the Shluchim.
Historical Foundations of Tzach
Bentzion Pearson, grandson of the unforgettable beloved Rabbi Dovid Raskin, who served as Tzach Chairman from its inception, and whose yahrzeit is the 7th day of Iyar, presented a comprehensive historical overview of the organization’s work.
Rabbi Pearson elaborated on the unique shlichus the Rebbe entrusted to Tzach and how it became the official activity arm, establishing and pioneering the Rebbe’s work in the United States.
He noted how the Rebbe personally directed every Tzach activity and how the Rebbe’s personal secretary, Rabbi Chadakov, addressed the biannual Tzach gatherings on Chol Hamoed Sukkos and Beis Iyar.
He explained that the Rebbe specifically named it “Tzeirei” (youth), expecting the organization to maintain its youthful spirit, vitality, and energy.
Crown Heights Visitor Initiative
Rabbi Mayer Friedman, recently appointed shliach by Tzach, reported on the tremendous success he and Rabbi Yoni Katz have as they continue to expand their innovative 3 hour walking tour of Crown Heights, attracting guests literally from every country in the world.
Thousands have participated in these tours and were inspired. The tours have gained such popularity that visitor websites now promote them as recommended activities for NYC visitors.
Rabbi Friedman noted that the tours often explore profound concepts such as life’s purpose, the meaning of being a chossid, and the importance of following Hashem’s will.
Rabbi Yankel Katzman of Chabad of Sheepshead Bay described their special program bringing Crown Heights families and volunteers to visit homes, having already reached thousands of households. During Pesach, these routes distributed over 5,000 Matzos.
He shared an inspiring account of a home visit where the recipient was so moved that he began seriously reconnecting with his Yiddishkeit and became a regular participant in community events. The individual explained that he had previously felt too distant to participate, but the personal visit opened the door to his Jewish reconnection.
The Path of “L’chatchilah Ariber”
Rabbi Bentzion Krasnianski, Director of Chabad of the Upper East Side, addressed the constant development of shluchim’s work and the advancement of the Rebbe’s vision globally.
He recounted their early days on the Upper East Side and the direct support they received from the Rebbe.
Rabbi Krasnianski emphasized that we must view ourselves on an ever-developing journey, continually advancing to reach every segment of society as we prepare the world for Moshiach’s arrival.
He noted that just as the Rebbe Maharash was known for his “ashirus” (wealth), we must likewise reach out to uplift the “Rechush Gadol,” as the Jews did when departing Mitzrayim.
He stressed that we must view the world through the lens of “Elokus B’pshitus,” which embodied the Rebbe’s “L’chatchilah Ariber” approach—seeing things differently and perceiving every Jew in the proper light.
Rabbi Krasnianski observed that when viewing matters from a “L’chatchilah Ariber” perspective, we recognize that global progress results from Tzadikim, and in our era, is clearly attributed to the Rebbe.
He referenced the Rebbe’s Sicha to the Shluchim at the final Kinus Hashluchim, encouraging the study of weekly Likutei Torah and Torah Or, aligning with the Rebbe’s message at Tzach’s hisyasdus, emphasizing that our work must focus on personal growth alongside outreach. The Rebbe insisted on self-improvement, teaching that through our own limud haTorah, we elevate the world around us, ultimately completing the journey from Golus to Geulah.
Honoring the Life of Rabbi Butman
Rabbi Velvl Butman, Director of Chabad of Westchester, shared memories and inspiration from his father, Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman.
He described his father’s unique hiskashrus to the Rebbe, likening his frequent writing to the Rebbe as a child writing to a father.
He spoke of his father’s extraordinarily vibrant, positive, and energetic vision and approach, constantly seeking growth and successfully pushing boundaries, establishing initiatives that created pathways for others to follow.
Rabbi Butman recalled that in the early years, his father was essentially the sole representative going door-to-door for Chabad in NYC, dedicating his life to bringing the Rebbe nachas.
He spoke of how the Rebbe appointed him as Menahel of Tzach and referred to him as “Mainer a Mentsch.”
Rabbi Butman consistently embodied the “L’chatchilah Ariber” spirit, pioneering groundbreaking projects.
Even in his later years, he personified Tzeirei Agudas Chabad—remaining youthful and energetic.
New Initiatives and Historical Milestones
Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, longtime program director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, presented new initiatives, including programs for the deaf, and announced a special initiative where the Lubavitch Youth Organization would assist in establishing 70 new special Mivtzoim and Torah projects.
He shared a fascinating historical account of how, years before Mitzvah Tanks emerged, Rabbi Chadakov requested that the LYO send a truck with a loudspeaker into Manhattan before Rosh Hashanah to sound the shofar and remind Jews of the approaching new year and that it’s time for Teshuvah.
From that project emerged the Hebrew Free University, which was attended by soneone who was inspired by the messege which was being broadcast from the truck, as well as others, and which the Rebbe later recognized as one of the 71 new mosdos established in honor of the Rebbe’s 71st birthday.
The keynote address by Rabbi Efraim Mintz, Executive Director of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, focused on the exceptional zechus and achrayus of the shluchim.
Drawing from significant letters and narratives, Rabbi Mintz deeply moved the Shluchim with his message about how the Rebbe empowered them to the level of “Shlucho Shel Adam K’moso.”
Rabbi Mintz emphasized that the true expression of K’moso manifests in the love and care Shluchim show one another. When Shluchim celebrate each other’s accomplishments with genuine joy or unite to support a fellow shliach in need, they bring true nachas to the Rebbe and demonstrate the authentic unity of “K’moso mamosh.”
He encouraged the Shluchim to remain cognizant of the extraordinary zechus and capability the Rebbe bestowed upon them to achieve the ultimate goal of bringing Moshiach now.
The evening concluded with a farbrengen where Shluchim shared inspiring stories in the spirit of “Sheves achim gam yachad.”
Acknowledgements
The Master of Ceremonies thanked the Vaad of Tzach for putting this special evening together and for their unwavering dedication to the Shluchim.
He wished the Vaad members much hatzlacha in their work, acknowledging Rabbi Moshe Pesach Goldman, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, Rabbi Sholom Tenenbaum, Rabbi Tuvya Teldon, Rabbi Shlomo Friedman, Rabbi Leibel Baumgarten and Rabbi Chaim Brikman.
Shluchim departed the gathering with renewed inspiration and profound emunah that we will soon witness the Geulah Ha’amitis V’hashleimah, may it be Teikef Umiyad Mamosh.
I’m a shliach in Long Island. For some good reason I couldn’t make to the Farbrengen.
I see and hear it was a very special evening.
Kudos to all who made it happen. Tzach is alive and well. !