As the three days of friendship, excitement, and inspiration that is the Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim drew to a close this past Sunday afternoon, 800 young Shluchim from across the globe took to their seats in the Ballroom of Beth Rivka in Crown Heights to enjoy their Grand Banquet.
As the children entered the beautifully-lit and decorated hall, each bunk found their seats and began to enjoy the delicious food while the children watched a slideshow of pictures showing themselves over the past few days in the Kinus.
The theme of the Banquet followed the entire Kinus: “A Shliach is a Dugma Chaya,” stressing how Young Shluchim have the biggest impact on people by simply acting as the proud Chassidim of the Rebbe they truly are.
The lights dimmed, and the program begun. Emceeing the evening was Head Counselor Mendel Perlstein, who started things off with a special Welcome Video by Rabbi Benny Hershkowitz prepared especially for the Young Shluchim Grand Banquet.
The boys watched a video of the Rebbe and then joined in the singing of “Tzama Licha Nafshi,” then a Sicha about two Bochurim who had an impact on a Jewish woman without even knowing it, just by walking in the street as proud Jews.
Rabbi Zalman Bluming, Shliach to Chapel Hill, NC, then gave a heartfelt message to the children via video explaining their important role on Shlichus and how special and important each one of them is.
There was not a dry eye in the room, as the entire camp proceeded to sing together “With a Tehillim,” “Amongst Majestic Mountains,” and “Ani Maamin,” with uplifting music by Chony Milecki along with special guest Boruch Sholom Blesofsky.
It was then time to turn their attention again to the four large projector screens, as they watched two videos about two young Shluchim making a tremendous impact on the people around them by doing what they knew was right, all the while not realizing how meaningful it was to others.
After their clip played, these same young Shluchim in the video, Mendel Silverman from Dobbs Ferry, NY followed by Yossi Lipskier from Fountain Hills, AZ, spoke beautifully to their fellow Shluchim about themselves, their Shlichus, and the newfound perspective their stories gave them.
The music began playing again, as the room erupted in song and joyous dance, with the Kinus National Anthem, “Thousands of Shluchim,” and the new theme song for this year “A Shliach is a Dugma Chaya.”
After a burst of energy so strong, the kids then settled down in their places and enjoyed a special surprise entertainer. Coming all the way from Chicago, world renowned ventriloquist Chuck Field mesmerized the crowd with talent and humor.
The 12 Pesukim were than recited, followed by a most exciting Roll Call led by Head Counselor Levi Plotkin, each child standing proud as their country was announced, celebrating the Rebbe’s map of Shluchim.
As the Roll Call drew to end, the 50th state was called for the first time as news broke of the new Shluchim to South Dakota, Rabbi Mendel and Mussie Alperowitz.
More singing and dancing ensued, as the children celebrated their Shlichus, their Zchus, and the power of their gathering together.
As dessert was served, the children proceeded to arrange the raffle tickets they had collected all weekend. Head Counselor Yisroel Yarmak took the stage and began raffling off many amazing prizes of beautiful sets of Seforim, drones, and the special raffle from the Hachana Program on an electric scooter.
The momentum in the room reached a climax as Yisroel prepared to draw the Grand Raffle for a free trip to the Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp in Florida. As the final number was called, all eyes began scanning the room trying to catch a glimpse of the lucky winner.
Suddenly, cries of “we have a winner!” we heard, as Mendel Tiechtel from Lawrence, KS found his matching numbers. Celebration ensued as Mendel came up to receive his check, and the other kids felt genuinely happy for their fellow Shliach.
As the program came to a close, the kids continued to sing and dance until their parents came to pick them up, gleaning the last bits of energy before they head home.
Video: Banquet
Voices hoarse and spirits high, the Young Shluchim headed home, energized and excited to continue their Shlichus for another year.
The annual Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim is a joint project of The Shluchim Office and Merkos L’inyanei Chinuch and is underwritten by The Shluchim Office.
The success of the Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim is thanks to our dedicated director Rabbi Berel Bendet, assistant director Rabbi Moshe Sasonkin, head staff Mendy Ceitlin, Shaya Itkin, Mendy Heber, Mendel Hertz, Mendel Perlstein, Levi Plotkin, Mendel Treitel, Yisroel Yarmak, Yossi Sirota, Nochum Garlitzky, Shneur Frankel, Berish Lipkin, Dovid Neparstek, Mendy Ben Shushan, Aharon Lachkar, and Yisrolik Kievman, and all the dedicated counselors.
Thank you to the Head Klolim Menachem Caytak, Mordy Zirkind, Berele Sasonkin, Zalman Krinsky, Sholom Ber Dubov, and Zevi Sasonkin, along with all the dedicated Klolim.
A very special thanks to Avraham Green, Menachem Greenberg, Yisroel Cohen, Levi Kesselman, Mendel Lipsker, Mendel Sorkin, and Leibel Kaplan.
Thank you to Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgerten of Tzivos Hashem, and Rabbi Yossi Langsam of Lubavitch Yeshiva.
Special thank you to Rabbi Abba Refson and Rabbi Yossi Pelman for his assistance with the Young Shluchim’s visit to the Ohel.
The Banquet arrangements are thanks to Mendy Ceitlin, Levi Kesselman, Shayale Gourarie, Mendel Serebryansky, and Levi Shemtov (Toledo), among many others.
The historic Rally by the Ohel on Motzai Shabbos is thanks to Mendel Danow, Levi Shemtov (WB), Tzemach Shemtov, Shmuli Levertov, Shmuli Grossbaum.
Special Thanks to the Rabbi Chony Lesches and Oholei Torah, Rabbi Chaim Schapiro and Tomchei Temimim of Morristown, and Rabbis Mendel Shemtov and Bentzion Stein of Yeshivas Lubavitch Detorit, for ensuring we had our incredible group of counselors and staff.
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.
We would also like to thank the sponsors who contributed generously of their time, money, goods and services in order to make this event possible.
Rabbi Dovid Fischer
Rabbi Hillel David & Sori Krinsky
Rabbi Beryl & Shani Junik
Rabbi Shloime & Tzivia Lehrer
Rabbi Avremel & Tobii Lokshin
Rabbi Meir & Sara Mann
Rabbi Levi Balkany
Benz Gourmet
Crown Display
Gombo’s Bakery
Malca Catering
Mendelsohn’s Pizza
Natural & Kosher Cheese
Osem
Shor Habor Glatt Kosher Meat
Sweet Expressions
Tofutti
Zakon Winery
To Rabbi Mendel Duchman who brought
Mr chuck fields to perform for the young Shluchim.
-R’ Mendel “always taking care of Unzereh kinder”
Yasher Koach.