They came from throughout the West Coast – over 450 Lubavitcher Anash children from over 40 moisdos, arrived this past Shabbos to the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
They came to be empowered and to participate in the Hachonas of Yud Shevat. They were greeted by giant banners on buildings, lawn signs, personal welcoming lunch bags, a detailed program handbook and a booklet about Yud Shevat.
After settling in at their hosts in more than 200 homes they all headed to various workshops. The workshops were given by many Rabonim, community leaders, and Mashpiim, on various topics of Chasidus and Yiddishkiet.
After the workshops the children and staff marched with song and dance along La Brea and Beverly Boulevards, and headed to the largest and oldest sanctuary located at Congregation Shaarei Tefila. It was there that the children were electrified by the legendary speaker and executive director of C-Teens international Rabbi Shimon Rivkin with Davening singing and dancing during Kabolas Shabbos. Friday night ended with many personal Farbrengens throughout the city.
Shabbos morning over 12 Torah readings took place at Congregation Levi Yitzchak, so the older Bar Mitzva Boys could get their Aliyah for Yud Shvat.
Shortly after, all of the participants of the convention then joined the legendary children Minyan- Kol Yakov Yehuda-The Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners, where Rabbi Mendel Duchman founder and director of KYY lead the Davening with his honorable mentions, prizes and various motivating incentives.
Seudos Shabbos was then served in 2 separate catering halls to facilitate all attendees. Rabbi Rivkin together with Head counselors, JJ Duchman and Shmuel Wagner led the Ezras Anoshim and Rabbi Dov Ber and Srula Chaiton led the Ezras Noshim. Following an afternoon of Mesibos Shabbos and activities, the children were treated to a “behind the scenes” presentation by the world renowned ventriloquist Mr. Chuck Field and his Shabbos guest Ziggy the Yiddel. Mincha was followed by a hilarious “Shmayonkee” acted out by the well known Camp director Rabbi Zalman Hecht of Jr. cong. Kol Avrom. An uplifting musical Havdalah with Rabbi Rivkin highlighted the end of Shabbos.
The entire convention culminated with a full blown Hakel Farbrengen and concert, led by the legendary 8th day – Benzy and Shmuly Marcus at the famous Hollywood Bancroft performing arts auditorium. The evening was opened by a special video of the Rebbe, featuring the Unzere Kinder Hakhel theme song.
“As I look around this auditorium all I see is the future C-teen leaders and future Shluchim; this is our leaders of tomorrow – Chazak Chazak V’nischazek,” Rabbi Rivkin shouted.
Suddenly in middle of the concert the vibration of a helicopter landing on the roof of the auditorium was felt and from behind the curtains.
Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, the international director of Tzivos Hashem surprised all by appearing and electrifying the kids by leading the 12 pesukim.
“After being at the inaugural Unzere Kinder Convention two years ago, there was no way I would miss this,” Rabbi Weinbaum said.
The rally/concert/musical farbrengen ended with the children singing and dancing for over an hour with the Marcus Brothers. A thank you email to the organizers summed up the event:
“To the organizers of the unzere kinder convention – ‘eer hot Poshut oifgehoiben’ our four children who traveled for hours to be with their fellow Lubavitcher kids for Shabbos. Just saying thank you is not efficient, in this crazy world that brings so much negative to our children – kol Hakovod to you all, may you all be bentched for many years to come,” the email concluded.
“JJ DUCHMAN IS AWSOME”from best nephew sroly eizo
Best Bochur in lubavitch!
exactly what the Rebbe Rashab had in mind when he made Tomchei Tmemim!!
R’ Mendel Duchman, R’ Shimmy Weinbaum, you guys personify Shlichus 2.0. You guys are busy creating a love and excitement for Yiddishkeit and Chasidishket for OUR children! While so many in Lubavitch are busy running off to tiny communities in order to find the last few Yiddish Nshomos and bring them back to Yiddishkeit, you guys are making sure that TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR children are growing up as PROUD Yidden and PROUD, Chasidim! I hope more and more kolel yungeleit look up to you and learn from your innovative Shlichus approach, that we need to take care of… Read more »
Go Rochel Fine, Sarita Geisinsky, and Sylvi Lovitch!!!
My son had the best shabbos of his life, he said they had a lot of fun. and had an amazing meal, with nigunim and food. Thank you rabbi duchman
And I want to especially thank all the bochurim, who were the staff! My son couldn’t stop praising them, of how nice they were, and the chayus.
This very special Shabbos brought a lebedikiet in Dee gantzeh shtot.
The gasen were filled with kollois of yidishe kinderlach.
Es is geven a groisen fargenigen -ah groisen yasher koiach tzu Dee vad hamesader .
shaya eichorn .
You are the best!
Srula and Dovber are an amazing couple.
Undertaking this massive shabbos could not have been easy.
Preparation and hours of dedication were given to this amazing cause.
Exactly what would make the Rebbe proud on yud shvat. Really well done guys!!
La is lucky to have you!!!!
Amazing person!
GO JJ YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND 8TH DAY you rock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOUR #1 FAN Mr
A SELF-MADE VERY SUCCESSFUL CHABAD RABBI YOU ARE! KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK!
We are so grateful and thankful that you are on Shlichus here in LA!!! We treasure every moment!
Rabbi Mendel, U did it again. Jonty from OC.
what a beautiful event this must have been .
to bring in from New York Rabbi Shimon Weinbaum director of Tzvois Hashem international and Rabbi Shimon Rivkin director of c teen’s international — 2 powerhouses !!
what a line up — kol hakovod to the organizers……
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
What you have done for the Lubavitcher girls in Los Angeles is priceless .
I have not seen a Koch in my dauthers life from a Chasidishe perspective – till u started learning with her.
We are very gratefull to you.
You are such a chasidish Jew! you do so much good! And most of all you do everything so humbly! Kol Hakavod!
Rabbi Duchman, please come do an “Unzere KInder” convention for the east coast!! A retreat for Lubavitcher boys to be together from all the different Moisdos in Crown Heights, and its surroundings!