By Moshe New, Chabad.org
Photos: Chaim Tuito
Thousands of Chabad Shluchim who are gathered in New York for the 40th annual International Kinus Hashluchim assembled at the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history.
The emissaries, representing Jewish communities worldwide, carried with them prayers from their communities and signed the pan klali (general letter), which was read at the Ohel and contained prayers for Israel, the Jewish people and humanity at large.
During past conflicts in the Land of Israel and times of danger for the Jewish people, the Rebbe made practical suggestions of mitzvahs to elicit G‑d’s protection. As revealed by a recent survey conducted by Chabad.org and released in conjunction with the Kinus Hashluchim, Jews worldwide are experiencing a “spiritual awakening” and harkening the Rebbe’s call to increase in Jewish practice. A staggering 98% of survey respondents reported seeing an increase in personal practice related to Jewish traditions and observances among community members, in the face of rising antisemitism.
With Chabad representatives in Israel unable to travel due to the war, the usual time slot of the annual group visit to the Ohel was brought forward to allow them to tune in via live stream before the onset of Shabbat in Israel. The emissaries in attendance, who hail from across every U.S. state and more than 100 countries, kept their colleagues in Israel in mind in their prayers. The line of rabbis outside the Ohel, recited tehillim (Psalms), learned the Rebbe’s Torah teachings, and reflected on their role during these trying times.
With the war in Israel weighing heavily on their hearts, they placed handwritten letters, personal notes, and requests for blessings on behalf of their families, communities, and the broader Jewish diaspora, seeking solace and strength.
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