By COLlive reporter
Photos: Chavi Konikov
Last month, Israel’s Minister for Social Equality Gila Gamliel faced a tough audience at the anti-BDS conference in European Parliament in Brussels.
Gamliel denounced the fact that Israel, the sole democracy in the Middle East, “is the target of a discriminatory campaign of hatred, bigotry and demonization.”
“You can disagree with certain policies of the government of Israel but singling out the country is purely anti-Semitic,” she said.
This week, she flew across the Atlantic, carrying a message of encouragement and confidence from her government to be shared with a friendlier crowd.
Gamliel, a Knesset member from the Likud, is currently attending the International Kinus Hashluchos, the annual convention of Chabad Rebbetzins held in Brooklyn, NY.
On Thursday, Gamliel received a private tour of Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, visiting the main and small shul, where the Rebbe led the international Jewish revival.
She was accompanied by her Lubavitcher friend, Mrs. Tami Steinberger and her nephew Dovi Pinkowitz, and Mendel Aizenbach.
She and her guests were also shown the WLCC room from which the Rebbe’s farbrengens were broadcasted to the world and run by Rabbi Chaim Baruch Halberstam.
She continued to the Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library where its director Rabbi Sholom Ber Levine showed her the exhibits of holy books and manuscripts, and historic Chassidic artifacts.
On Thursday afternoon, the minister was honored with addressing the many participants of the Kinus at the opening general session.
As a person fighting for women’s rights, she related that she finds inspiration in the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which has the most female leaders of any Jewish organization in the world.
Gamliel thanked the Shluchos for their day-long and year-round dedication and care to strengthen Jewish identity and ensure Jewish continuity.
The main session was also addressed by Merkos Vice Chair Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and a group of Shluchos discussing the general theme of the gathering.
Announcement from Vaad Hakinus
In appreciation to the Crown Heights community for hosting the Shluchos for the Kinus Hashluchos, we invite the women of Crown Heights to join the Shluchos for tonight Oneg Shabbos at Oholei Torah at 9:30 pm.
go denburg and henig (kirszenbergs)
Dovui Pinkovitch! Going up in the ranks!
Standing up to the heads of the nations of the world to actually defend the Jewish nation of Israels’ right to exist! They are just human and really only Moshiach’s entrance on the world scene will altogether completely succeed with ease! They need our prayers, friendship, and support to stand strong in the face of virulent, determined, deceptive, & destructive opposition.
They represent us to the world. No small matter. They need the best spiritual chizik & friends they can get to stand strong. Moshiach Now!!