By COLlive.com reporter
Extreme make-over is what you could call the work that was put into Pier 94 over the past few days, towards the gala banquet of the international Kinus Hashluchim taking place in New York.
Carpets, curtains, lights, tables and chairs have been brought to the lonesome 150,000 square feet facility near the Hudson River in Midtown Manhattan.
Considered a high point of the annual Kinus and possibly the most prestigious event of Lubavitch, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the production of the event which combines a sit-down dinner and a dance floor at times.
But no future potential Shluchim will be able to attend, like in the past. “No – no bochurim at all,” a Merkos official told COLlive. “You could write that there is major security and anyone who did not pay for the pass will not get it.”
“Shluchim that know of anyone registered with a table that is not coming should let us know,” he added.
The banquet’s proceedings, which will include a special address by former Israeli ambassador Yehuda Avner, will be broadcast live on the internet by Chabad.org and COLlive.com.
In addition, Jewish Educational Media will unveil an original video production that highlights the interconnectedness of Jewish communities around the globe, as reported on COLlive.
Producer of the event is David Scharf. Ronen Peled from Israel is the creative director and is helped by Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin and the staff of Kol Shar, the Rivkin family.
Keynote speaker will be Rabbi Moshe Bryski, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Conejo in Agoura Hills, CA.
“There is so much fragmentation in the world today,” he said. “From the economic situation to international tensions, there is fear and disillusionment looming in people’s hearts. Now, more than ever, people are looking to connect, to unify around principles of absolute goodness and truth.”
TRANSPORTATION TO PIER 94
Coach Bus Transportation will be provided to the banquet, leaving from Oholei Torah at 3:30 pm sharp. You must be on time!
From: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
– Eastern P’kwy. W. to Flatbush Ave. to Brkln Bridge.
– Exit bridge on right for FDR Drive – South
– Continue on, to underpass to West Side Hwy (NY-9A-N)
– Continue to W. 55th St. Pier 94 Convention Center is on your left.
You can make a U-Turn at W. 55 St.
Public Transportation to Pier 94:
Pier 94 can be reached by NYC Transit Authority via 8th Avenue subway, E or C trains to 50th Street, then via M50 bus line. Also, bus lines M16 and M42 provide service to 42nd Street and 12th Avenue.
For NYC Transit (Buses and Subways), Long Island Rail Road, Long Island Bus and Metro-North Railroad.
Pier 94 Parking:
Open rooftop parking is available at Pier 92. Use the automobile ramp at W. 55th St. and 12th Ave. All vehicles should follow signs for the NYC Passenger Ship Terminal parking.
Rabbi Moshe Bryski, said: “There is so much fragmentation in the world today,” he said. “From the economic situation to international tensions, there is fear and disillusionment looming in people’s hearts. Now, more than ever, people are looking to connect, to unify around principles of absolute goodness and truth.”
These are certainly The Rebbe’s wishes. What about the great and painful fragmentation in Chabad?
theyre was at the banquet so many bochurim like i never sew in the past years and believe me most didnt even ahve a wristband so plz theres no reason to get them scared whoever wants to come will find his way in
However I just would like to point out that even though I am dismayed at not being able to attend (last year I attended being that I am on Shlichus, and this year I also do myShliACH) I would not being going on SHlichus based on my privilges at the Kinus.
I go on Shlichus for the Rebbe, and the Rebbe only!
Whats being forgoteen is that bochurim who do work for Merkos (i.e. MyShliACH, Merkos Shlichus, Pesach Shlichus etc.) were basically promised passes. Not to mention Bochurim whose parents are Shluchim and would like to attend with their father and Balebatim.
To #5. Know your place. This is desiged for shluchim (and those they wish to bring to impress by seeing or being seen), not potential shluchim. If you feel used, then you obviously did not go into this with the right intention. The goal of anyone in or going into shlichus, is the shlichus, by the mishalayach. Hafotzas Hamayonos Chutzo. If you don’t get attention, thanks, peer-validation etc, it’s like: Someone who studies medicine because he loves the field and especially helping others from sickness. If he’s in the middle of medical school, or doing internship, or is even a… Read more »
so i guess that Yudi Tzatlin wont be able to go becouse he is a Bochur.
when the Shluchim need Bochurim ……….etc.
Next time you beg us to go on shlichus we’ll have to thing twice.
That is the problem with shlichus today: like in capitalism, they use you only when they need you and then – to the dogs. (i.e. let’s see how the system will treat the Shluchim in Russia in their hard time – keep them or drop them)
You should be sitting and learning
Why arent we invited! Chutzpah!
looks like a lot of work goes into it!
Wow COL you really are everywhere! Thanks for keeping everyone informed!