For the first time in seven years, MyShliach is bringing back its Regional Kinusim, a network of Shabbatons designed specifically for Yaldei Hashluchim who live far from established frum communities and do not attend Chabad schools in person.
Hundreds of young Shluchim will participate in three-day regional gatherings held between Chof-Beis Shevat and Lag B’Omer, with locations spanning the Midwest, Lower Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, North Florida, the Rockies, and additional destinations to be announced.
“The Rebbe emphasized that Yaldei Hashluchim are not just children of Shluchim. They are Shluchim themselves,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “These Kinusim give them the chance to experience Shabbos surrounded by peers who understand their lives, and to return home with friendships and inspiration that carry them forward.”
This year, the Regional Kinusim will replace the centralized Shabbos Tzuzamen model, which connected 1,600 children across 110 cities and six continents in recent years, through a synchronized Shabbaton format. The new approach brings children together in person within their regions. Dedicated staff will travel to the young shluchim’s locations, transport them to and from the Shabbaton’s location, and lead programming throughout.
For families in remote areas, the shift to regional gatherings addresses a practical barrier: distance. Mrs. Shaina Feldman of Clay County, Florida, whose community will be served by the North Florida Shabbaton, described what the Shabbatons mean for families like hers. “These Shabbatons mean so much to the boys, some of whom live hours away from the closest frum family,” she said. “This is a real help for them.”
Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz, Director of MyShliach, noted that the Kinusim are built around the realities facing young Shluchim in smaller communities. “A child growing up on shlichus in a rural area is oftentimes the only frum kid in his town,” he said. “When he walks into a room full of other Yaldei Hashluchim who share that experience, something clicks. He realizes he is part of something much bigger.”
Each Kinus will feature a full program of learning, farbrengens, activities, and Shabbos experiences tailored for Yaldei Hashluchim. MyShliach is coordinating transportation and logistics to make participation as accessible as possible for families spread across large geographic areas.
Rabbi Mendy Hirsch, Boys Coordinator of Regional Kinusim, described the careful planning behind each event. “We are not running a generic Shabbaton,” he said. “Every detail is designed specifically for Yaldei Hashluchim, their backgrounds and their needs. The goal is for each child to leave feeling proud of who he is and connected to a community and friends that will stay with him.”
The first Boys Shabbatons are set to take place for Midwest Shluchim (Rochester, Minnesota February 13–15) and Lower Atlantic Shluchim, (Charlotte, North Carolina, February 20–22). Additional dates and locations for both boys and girls will be announced soon, with international locations also in development.”
The Shabbatons will be coordinated by Rabbi Mendy Hirsch and Rabbi Moshe Weiss from MyShliach’s boys division.
To see if there is a shabbaton in your region or to register for your shabbaton, visit myshliach.com/shabbatons.
