Remote U.S. Shluchim Gather in Portland

Many years ago, on the night the Rebbe asked that the world be divided into regions for purposes of regional Kinusim, those working on the project took a group of states from Mississippi to Washington – and many in between – and created a group they called the “Sheiris Hapleita.” Officially it was named the ‘Western Region,’ at the time encompassing about twelve Shluchim spread across twenty states.

This past Shabbos, the largest ever Western Region Kinus Hashluchim was held in Portland, OR, with 49 Shluchim, 18 Shluchos and nearly 80 Yaldei Hashluchim attending.

Shluchim and their families came by car, boat, train and plane to participate in the four-day event – a Kinus for Shluchim, Shluchos, Yaldei hashluchim and Yaldos Hashluchim. Some expressed how they drove for ten hours, only so that their children can experience a Shabbos with fellow Shluchim.

Together they farbregned and shared stories of waking up in middle of the night to bail someone out of jail, overcoming their fears and making phone calls to friends diagnosed with severe illnesses and discovering the unique opportunity they have to truly reach each and every Jew in their community.

In four separate locations the men, women, boys and girls each farbrenged until the very end of a long Shabbos, which ended only at 9:29 PM.

The theme of small-town Shlichus and bringing oneself and family to the Rebbe was repeated throughout, and in the spirit of ‘Ish Es Re’eihu Yazoru,’ the Shluchim pledged to help each other bring their entire families to the Rebbe.

The Shluchim also met with the leadership of the Jewish Federation, Oregon Health and Science University and other local institutions.

Shluchim who attended the regional kinus hosted in Portland 18 years ago were amazed at how a state with one Chabad House and two Shluchim has since developed to one with 9 Chabad Houses and 11 Shluchim families.

The Kinus was hosted by Rabbi Moshe and Devorah Wilhelm of Chabad of Oregon in honor of the thirty-second year (Shnas HaLev) of Chabad of Oregon, and was chaired by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky.

Rabbi Shnuer Nejar of Merkos coordinated the participation of Merkos, and the Yaldei Hashluchim programs were arranged by Merkos suite 302. Rabbi Dov and Chani Bialo of Chabad of Reed College hosted the Friday lunch for the Shuchim, as well as the Yaldos Hashlucim program over Shabbos.

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