The 6th Post-Seminary Kinus, a convention for single young Chabad women, took place in Crown Heights this past weekend bringing together over 200 participants.
The annual event for girls post Seminary and working for Shluchim around the world is organized by Chayala Mentz from Bel Air, CA and Sarah Elharrar from Los Angeles.
Hosted in the Rubashkin home, delicious catered meals throughout the weekend were provided by Chocolatte and caterer Levi Feigenson. Sound and lighting were provided by Fitche Benshimon.
The Kinus began Thursday night with inspiring words from Shlucha Mrs. Dina Hurwitz, with a powerful talk on “how to live life when life doesn’t go your way.”
The wife of Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, who is battling ALS disease, she shared how the powerful words the Rebbe started his leadership with “Basi Legani” and must be the foundation of every Chassid to look at the world as a beautiful garden.
After enjoying a delectable sushi bar, the group visited the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens where each had a chance to write in their personal ‘pan’ notes and enter for prayer.
Friday began with a class on “13 secrets to dating”, by Rabbi Shea Hecht. Workshops followed, with Mrs. Chanchi Milecki on color palettes and Mrs. Chani Apfelbaum from Busy in Brooklyn, who gave a cooking demo and talked about how to make healthy eating choices. The day concluded with a talk by Rabbi Yossi Paltiel who spoke about the Rebbetzin and the importance of davening and making it real.
Friday night, the convention joined with “In the Heights” for inspiring Farbrengen with Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum which went on until 2 AM.
The Melava Malka on Motzei Shabbos is always the highlight of the Kinus, and this year had a special energy. The candlelight evening began with Esther Freeman singing Tzama Lcha Nafshi, how our soul thirsts to have a real connection with Hashem, the Rebbe and G-d willing, soon with our spouse.
A video of the Rebbetzin Chaya Muskah was played, and then Mrs. Miriam Lipsker, Shlucha at Emory University, spoke very powerfully about how to have healthy relationships.
A delicious dairy meal was followed by a concert by Esther Freeman, in her unique way she sang songs that she composed, each song with so much meaning. She then got the room bouncing with her song “Vanity.”
The highlight of the program was the end of the concert, when the room burst into joyous dancing to Niggunim.
One participant said, “Motzei Shabbos was so powerful you could feel the simcha and brochos in the room!” The dancing went on until midnight.
Sunday the young women joined for a class on how Chasidus teaches us to balance love and fear in relationships.
Other workshops included Mrs. Rivky Katz on tools and perspectives on dating, and Rabbi Markowitz on chinuch.
The weekend concluded with a talk by Rabbi Simon Jacobson about keeping focus on one’s personal life’s mission. “Rabbi Jacobson really left the girls inspired and ready to continue the year!” organizers said.
Participants thanked the organizers for the weekend of non-stop inspiration. “Thank you for organizing this Kinus,” one woman wrote. “I am on Shlichus this year and was feeling burnt out and needed a boost, this Kinus definitely gave me that energy to continue my Shlichus. Looking forward to next year’s Kinus.”
After a successful Young Women’s Kinus this past Chof Beis Shvat weekend, the organizers have announced that they will be providing year-round programming for single young women.
The hosts, R’ Moshe and Fayge Rubashkin, will be hosting “Friday Night Live,” a warm and welcoming Shabbos meal with guest speakers, singing and more. The first such meal will be this Friday night, February 5 at 7:00 PM. There is no fee, but RSVP to [email protected]
I’m so proud of you!!
your cousin, shula
Want to thank all the organisers of the kinus. I really enjoyed the speakers and the program! It was educational inspirational and really good! I returned with guidance and a better perspective on my shlichus! Thank you for all the effort involved making it. It was a wonderful blend of great gashmius and ruchnius together! Thank you
Best girls in Lubavitch!
Beautiful idea — wishing you all much hatzlacha with this!
Me and my friends truly thank you 2 for organizing funding and running the entire thing.
Thank you Chayale and Sarah!
Thank you Chayale & sara for all you have done for us single girls in CH and you have only been here a week!!!! Loved the Kinus!
Looking forward to future programs!!!! 🙂 There’s already Friday night meal this Shabbos at the Rubashkins followed by a Farbrengen 🙂
Thank you Chayale & Sarah for organizing the Kinus! It passed me expectations!
Looking forward to your new program Friday night live!
Great job!!!