For the first time, the annual International Conference of Shluchim will take place virtually, due to concerns of COVID 19.
In a letter to Shluchim, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky on behalf of the Vaad Hakinus, informed Shluchim of the format of the Kinus HaShluchim Haolami 5781, which will begin in a little less than a month.
Rabbi Kotlarsky stated that due to the fact that the New York health authorities will not allow any sizeable gatherings during the planned Kinus dates, and a recent uptick of COVID 19 cases in Crown Heights, the Kinus will be entirely virtual.
Rabbi Kotlarsky asked Shluchim not to travel to New York during the Kinus dates “to avoid any potential of a Chilul Hashem or Chilul Shem Lubavitch.”
He advised that the Vaad HaKinus is working diligently to put together a meaningful, albeit different, Kinus that will include many new features, as well as keynote speakers, greetings from world leaders, vignettes of Shlichus across the world, practical and informative breakout sessions, and farbrengens.
He noted that the virtual Kinus will culminate with a “Grand Event,” with a similar format to their annual Gala Banquet.
His full statement appears below:
It has become evident that State and City of New York health authorities will not allow any sizeable gatherings during the Kinus dates. Recent Jewish events that took place in New York City were shut down by the police resulting in serious repercussions for the Jewish community.
Additionally, there has recently been a concerning uptick in COVID-19 infections in Crown Heights and we have been advised that visitors should not be coming from out of town.
Therefore, we are notifying Shluchim, that this year’s Kinus will not be in person and will be entirely virtual. There will not be any in person programming, meals or hosting. In order to avoid any potential of a Chilul Hashem or Chilul Shem Lubavitch, we are asking Shluchim to please not come to New York during the Kinus dates.
The Vaad HaKinus is working diligently to put together a meaningful, albeit different, Kinus that will include many new features. The Kinus program this year will feature an exciting array of keynote speakers, greetings from world leaders, vignettes of Shlichus across the world, practical and informative breakout sessions, farbrengens with thousands of Shluchim in participation, highlights from previous Kinusim, entertainment and of course the “Grand Event” which will have a similar format to our annual banquet.
One of the most important parts of the Kinus is שבת אחים גם יחד. We are pained that this central feature which we are usually accustomed to will not be possible this year in New York. However, we strongly suggest that Shluchim in their respective regions and areas gather together either on Motzei Shabbos or for the Grand Event. To this end, we are structuring the Motzoi Shabbos Seudoso D’Dovid Malko Meshicho program as a Farbrengen which will begin in Australia and move its way across time zones until all Shluchim will be in participation. If you are able to join safely with fellow Shluchim on Motzoi Shabbos for a local Melave Malka Farbrengen, or for the Grand Event please work on arranging this. Your Farbrengen of Shluchim will then be visually joined via Zoom or other virtual method with hundreds – if not thousands – of other Farbrengens across the world.
We are hopeful that in the near future the world will heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, global lock-downs will be lifted and we will once again be able to gather in large numbers. When that happens, the Kinus will plan a weekend where Shluchim will be able to get together in Crown Heights, go the Ohel and farbreng together.
These extraordinary times require immense Kochos to keep our communities (and ourselves) connected to Yiddishkeit and אילנא דחייא. It is you and your fellow Shluchim who have risen to the challenge and have proven once again that the Rebbe’s Shluchim and Mosdos are today the most relevant and vibrant force in Jewish life. Accordingly, the theme of this year’s Kinus is ..שליחות בכל מצב להביא לימות המשיח highlighting the Rebbe’s words of Chizuk for Shluchim to overcome any and all challenges which they may encounter.
The times we live in and the difficulties all of humanity is experiencing can only be understood as חבלי משיח. It is our sincere hope that we speedily merit the גאולה האמיתית והשלימה when we will have the ultimate, in-person Kinus HaShluchim with our משלח in
.ירושלים עיה”ק תובב”א
when we will have the ultimate, in-person Kinus HaShluchim with our משלח in
.ירושלים עיה”ק תובב”א
It is the correct decision. Can’t afford to expose so many people.
They did the right thing. Kudos to them.
Until we can have a kinus with Rebbe. We shouldnt be satisfied Until we have Moshiach We shouldnt be satisfied Until every single Jewish child has been reached We shouldnt be satisfied. Perhaps thats the message we need to internalize Maybe we became to satisfied The Rebbe wanted us to leave Golus Now that this beautiful kinus is not happening in person We can feel more What we are missing Without Moshiach and without our Rebbe Maybe it will help us internalize the Rebbe’s urgent plea. Do all you can to help bring the world to a peace and redemption… Read more »