By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shmuel Amit
As the three days of friendship, excitement, and inspiration that is the annual Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim drew to a close this past Sunday afternoon, young Shluchim from across the globe took their seats in the Ballroom of Beth Rivka in Crown Heights to enjoy their very own Grand Banquet.
As the Young Shluchim walked in, a slideshow of pictures from the past few days was in motion on video screens around the beautifully-lit and decorated hall, a reminder of everything they had experienced in such a short time.
Head Counselor Avremi Baron opened the festivities as Master of Ceremonies, leading into an welcoming video featuring Shluchim from around the world. A video of the Rebbe singing a niggun followed with the entire room joining in to sing as one with their Rebbe. Head Counselor Peretz Garelik gave inspiration about Shlichus and the Rebbe’s presence in their lives, each and every day.
Special video presentations were then shown, first of a story that showed how the Rebbe always is thinking about each Shliach, followed by a Sicha of the Rebbe explaining why we go so far away just to reach a few Yidden.
The Young Shluchim then took to song, with special guest singer Shmuly Horowitz and music by Chony Milecki, going through favorites like “With a Tehillim,” “Amongst Majestic Mountains,” and “Ani Maamin.”
Representing his fellow Young Shluchim was Mendel Winner from Tucson, AZ who talked about his life on Shlichus, shared inspiration for his friends, and a personal story from a few months ago before his Bar Mitzva.
Back to the video screens, the crowd was memorized as a new initiative was launched for the coming year, encouraging Young Shluchim all over the world to get kids in their communities to buy a letter in the Children’s Sefer Torah. The video explained the background of how the Rebbe introduced this campaign, as well as what to do and how it works.
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick, Shliach to Pleasanton, CA, gave a powerful message on video for the Young Shluchim to take home.
The entire Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim then came to their feet to literally rock the ballroom’s floor as they sang and danced to the theme songs of the Kinus, composed by Rabbi S.Z. Minkowitz, including highlights like, “Thousands of Shluchim” and “נאך מער לעבעדיק”.
Then the much-awaited International Roll Call, led by Head Counselor Levi Cunin, interspersed with the various niggunim most appropriate to many countries and lively dancing as everyone’s spirits hit peak again.
Children then arranged their tickets in anticipation of the Grand Raffle, featuring many exciting prizes including sets of Sefarim, Chabad House Chumashim, full-size drones and JEM DVDs.
The grand prize, a full scholarship to the annual Tzeirei Shluchim Winter Camp in Lake Worth, Florida, was taken home by Shimon Langsam from Peoria, IL. Taking place 9-17 Teves – Dec. 17-25, the camp is an exciting opportunity to spend 10 days among fellow Young Shluchim in a warm, chassidishe and fun environment in sunny Florida.
Parents arrived to more dancing, collecting their sons and checking them out in an organized process to ensure every child was accounted for.
Voices hoarse and spirits high, the Young Shluchim headed home, energized and excited to continue their Shlichus for another year.
A replay of the live broadcast of the Banquet will be available shortly.
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The annual Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim is a project of The Shluchim Office, led by Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov.
A very special thanks goes to Rabbi Benjy Stock and the team at Beis Rivkah (Benny Wolf, Tzvi Fass, Shmiddy, Gil and Co.) who have once again spearheaded the massive effort to host and cater to all the needs of the Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim.
The Banquet arrangements are thanks to Mendel Bergstein, Yankel Bergstein, Shayale Gourarie, Shmuly Gniwisch, Shmaya Hecht, Moshe Kalmenson, Rabbi Levi Kesselman, Yisrolik Kievman, Mendel Lerman, and Yossi Lipsker.
I spot Menachem Wagner from South Africa !! Super fun and caring counselor!!
He came home completely exhausted but so inspired and with new strong friendships. Thanks to his great counselors and all incredible staff.
Good job!!! Nuch un nuch!!!!!