The feelings of unity and brotherhood where palpable when hundreds of Chabad shluchim, Rabbis to communities in fifteen countries of the FSU, came together for four days to discuss a variety of pertinent topics regarding Jews and Judaism in the countries that they represent. The four days and nights of the program were fully packed with prayers, learning, classes, farbrengens and workshops.
The Kinus took place at an elegant hotel in the center of Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis Almaty, beginning Thursday, the 20th of Menachem Av, which was the 77th yohrtzeit of the Mekubal Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Shneerson zatza”l, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe O.B.M. Thirty years ago the Rebbe had sent out a handful of young men to these countries, and thanks to his influence and blessings, Yiddishkeit has seen a tremendous revival, with hundreds of his emissaries today serving in these countries.
The kinus was opened at the holy resting place in the Jewish cemetery, by the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, who initiated and spearheaded this event. Together with Vice Chairman of the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and Chairman of the Kinus HaShluchim Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan and host of the Kinnus Rabbi Yeshayahu Elazar haCohen Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Dniepro Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, and philanthropist Reb Avraham Shaulson, who sponsored the kinus, they were joined by hundreds of experienced Rabbis and Shluchim, many of whom serve as Rabbis to large communities, that arrived by chartered flights from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the surrounding countries.
During the kinus a letter from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym- Jomart Tokayev was read, in which he expressed his gratitude to the Rabbis for gathering in Kazakhstan, at the holy resting place of the tzaddik, and sent his blessing to all his citizens.
Almaty’s police forces secured the place for the entire duration of the kinus, out of respect and appreciation to the Chabad Shluchim in Kazakhstan whose activities and influence extend to many large cities, and reach thousands of Jews throughout the country.
The hundreds of participants thanked the kinus organizers, the Ohr Avner Foundation, who have worked on this for many months, investing days and nights together with “Fleishman – Peles Productions” into making this kinus the smashing success that it was.
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