Nebraska Regional Kinus Ends

Over 50 Shluchim gathered this past weekend in Omaha, Nebraska, for the annual U.S. Western regional Kinus.

Hosted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman and his wife, and chaired by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, the weekend was one of rejuvenation, giving the shluchim inspiration and motivation to take back to their families and communities.

With shluchim from remote areas such as Arkansas, Oklahoma and Utah, the kinus focused on issues such as home schooling and shipping in kosher supplies, which these shluchim deal with great mesiras nefesh on a daily basis.

The Kinus opened on Friday with a tour of a local prestigious non-kosher bakery which bakes Pas – Yisroel bread. The shluchim saw hands-on how a bakery in the middle of Nebraska is sensitive to the needs of the Jewish community.

Davening on Shabbos day was spirited while a simultaneous children’s kinus was held with a full program.

This was followed by a Shabbos meal farbrengen lead by Rabbi Kotlarsky, as he told over personal guidance from the Rebbe about shlichus and spoke about the special zchus associated with being on shlichus and how achdus is a pivotal aspect to insuring success.

The shluchim also heard from Arizona Head Shliach Rabbi Zalman Levertov, Oregon Head Shliach Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, Oklahoma Shliach Rabbi Yehuda Weg and Minnesota Mikva expert Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum.

After speaking the veteran Shluchim themselves where then inspired as they sat with their younger colleagues and heard about their work and challenges, long after Shabbos had ended.

Motzei shabbos, the shluchim gathered for a melavah malka, commemorating 250 years since the Baal Shem Tov.

It was told how Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, Machne Yisroel and Agudas Chassidei Chabad were established and the different responsibilities that the Rebbe set out for each one of them.

On Sunday morning, the shluchim had the opportunity to meet members of the Nebraska Jewish community, as the shluchim sat around a beautiful breakfast and shared personal stories from their daily shlichus.

The shluchim then departed for their respective mokom hashlichus with a new vigor and determination in fulfilling their shlichus.