For many of the Shluchim from around the world converging upon Crown Heights this week, finding time to reconnect with old friends is a top priority. The ability to reconnect, and together recommit to the mission and gain inspiration from each other is priceless.
Yet, while all these personal reunions take place, all Shluchim still have but one thing on their minds; their communities back home. It is the people that draw inspiration from their Chabad Houses and centers that fuel them to continue.
Through a desire to “bring the Kinus to their hometowns” the #KinusSelfie campaign was born. Building upon its modest success of last year, the #KinusSelfie campaign is back in action delivering the best moments of the Kinus Hashluchim to people around the world.
#KinusSelfie, a grassroots campaign encouraging Shluchim, presenters, supporters and friends to post pictures of themselves at the Kinus with their friends and with Chabad Rabbis from all over the world, gives the “huge corporate event” a personal feel.
Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff, from Chabad at Texas A&M University is usually active on Social Media but is looking forward to sharing his Kinus photos on cyberspace. “The KinusSelfie campaign really highlights the best personal moments and brings the Kinus directly to the doorstep of fans and curious onlookers,” said Lazaroff. “It’s an easy way for everyone to share their own stories and moments with the world.”
Currently, the campaign is active on Twitter and Instagram (both with the username, @KinusSelfie) and is beginning to see interaction and engagement picking up with the beginning of the Kinus on Wednesday. #KinusSelfie is seeing a steady rate of new followers each day and expects to see dozens of posts each day throughout the conference.
“Ultimately, the attention and fanfare this campaign has the ability to bring to the Kinus can enable the world to relate to the Chabad Rabbis in a new-age way and allows them to really live the moments along with their Rabbis” said one of the campaigns coordinators. “It’s no longer just about posting a link to the Gala Banquet on your Facebook page.
Campaign organizers hope to garner many active contributors to truly highlight a key feeling of the Kinus; where global reach meets personal moments. It is precisely these moments that campaign officials feel can make the biggest impact on people following from home.
Beyond the fans of Chabad-Lubavitch around the world, some Shluchim will be turning to Social Media to see their friends and colleagues in action. As regular Twitter user, Rabbi Mendel Rubin of Chabad at the University of Albany, tweeted earlier this week from his handle, @shabboshouse: “For a number of reasons, not going to be able to make the #Kinus this year until late Sat Night. Hope to get inspirational tweets from afar!”
#KinusSelfie was quick to respond, encouraging it’s fanbase to deliver the necessary moments of inspiration. “Let’s make sure he’s inspired! #KinusSelfie” tweeted to their followers.
Aside from the many Chabad on Campus Rabbis that are Social Media savvy, many other Shluchim have taken to various forms of Social Media recently. Their primary purpose for adopting use of these modern technologies is to deliver their Chabad House message and personal wisdom to people that have relocated their communications to short-form and visual services offered in the world of mobile devices.
To get involved in the campaign, follow @KinusSelfie on Twitter and Instagram and post your favorite pictures with your favorite Rabbis from across the globe!
I spot Rabbi Shishler!!!!!!!!!!!!