By COLlive reporter
Chabad of Minnesota hosted the Western Regional Conference of Shluchim, an annual convention of Chabad rabbis from 20 states in the U.S., on the Shabbos before the holiday of Shavuos.
Held over the weekend of 1-3 Sivan 5774, it was organized by the local Shluchim Rabbi Moshe and Mindy Feller and Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Dina Feller in West St. Paul.
The men’s conference is attended by Chabad officials operating in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
It began on Friday with a lunch at Chabad at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, run by Rabbi Yitzy and Chavie Steiner, where Shluchim had the chance to meet and catch up with friends and colleagues.
A round table discussion titled “Da Mah Shetoshiv” allowed for Shluchim to raise issues and challenges they face in their respective communities, sharing useful ideas and understanding approaches that are Chabad’s method of operation.
Shortly before Shabbos, following Mikvah, participating Shluchim gathered for a group photo. “You are surely aware of the great importance the Rebbe attached to the regional Kinusim,” pointed out Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.
“As we approach 20 years since Gimmel Tammuz, we will utilize the time together to focus on our Hachana for this important day,” he said before Shabbos began, as guests were gearing up for an elevated Shabbos with davening, learning and farbrengens.
Community members utilized the presence of rabbis from around the country to make acquaintances and thank them for their service. One of them was former U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Rudy Boschwitz, who spoke of his long friendship with Chabad and admiration of the Rebbe.
Rabbi Kotlarsky shared that around the date 22 Shevat 5748, the Rebbe told him “כן יבשר טוב לע”ל” (may you share good news in the future), adding that he saw it as a public instruction to report to the Rebbe’s Ohel after Gimmel Tammuz.
Following Shachris and breakfast on Sunday, Shluchim warmly thanked the hosts for an inspiriting and invigorating regional convention, promising to intensify their activities for the upcoming day of Gimmel Tammuz.
The Dean of onlinesmicha looks as jovial as always
see you three times.
da best!
hatzlacha in all that you do!
Rabbi Mottel represented his father well with his eloquent words of Chizuk
had a previous commitment elsewhere. Rabbi Mottel
Friedman participated.
It is the great Rabbi Yossi Jacobson the real deal and I love him. A real home away from when I was a student out there. Amazing shluchim in that neck of the woods 🙂
Interesting that Western Regional Kinus always lands on Rosh chodesh sivan, which is exactly 6 months to/from the big kinus in NYC
Yes indeed. Mendel Feller was the best Head Counselor in CGI Montreal 91.
Yasher Koach to the Fellers. They are one of the most incredible shluchim out there. What I saw in my six weeks working there was amazing.
May you go Maychiel el Chayil
I spy Rabbi Schimmel from postville
There’s not a Friedman in sight. Where’s reb manis?
Go Berel Zaklikofsky, best shliach!
Zecher L’Deevo