Israel’s Ministry of Heritage Honors the Rebbe’s Shluchim
In a moving gathering held yesterday in Jerusalem, with thousands in attendance, Israel’s Ministry of Heritage, under the leadership of Minister Amichai Eliyahu, paid tribute to three of the Rebbe’s shluchim, who represented the dedication of Chabad emissaries worldwide. The recognition came in light of their tireless efforts assisting the tens of thousands of Jews stranded across the globe during the recent war with Iran, following the surprise attack.
The shluchim honored were Rabbi Aryeh Ze’ev Raskin, the Rebbe’s shliach and chief Rabbi to Cyprus; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hendel, the Rebbe’s shliach to Athens; and Rabbi Yitzchak Eisenbach, the Rebbe’s shliach to Paphos, Cyprus.
A central highlight of the event was the screening of a special film, in which the three shluchim recounted, step by step, the tremendous scope of their efforts to care for the spiritual and physical needs of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad during what became known as the “12-Day War,” following Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear program.
“We understood right away that many Yidden were going to be stuck here for Shabbos,” said Rabbi Hendel. “Twenty-seven planes landed in Cyprus filled with stranded Israelis,” related Rabbi Raskin. “People came through our doors who never imagined they would find themselves in Cyprus – from members of Neturei Karta to doctors,” added Rabbi Eisenbach.
Throughout the evening, the shluchim emphasized the driving force behind their work – the Rebbe. When video footage of the Rebbe appeared on the screen, the thousands in attendance erupted in applause and song.
“We must remember that we are not the heroes,” Rabbi Raskin said with emotion. “We are the shluchim of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. We do this with great love, feeling the zechus that the Rebbe entrusted us with this mission, and our hope is always to walk in his ways and bring merit to Am Yisroel.”
As the stirring notes of Niggun Hashluchim filled the hall, Rabbis Raskin, Hendel, and Eisenbach were called to the stage to receive the prestigious “Magen Hashlichus” award from Minister Eliyahu.
Rabbi Raskin was given the honor of delivering the keynote address, in which he paid heartfelt tribute to the shluchos – the Rebbe’s emissaries’ wives – who labor with devotion, side by side with their husbands, in carrying out the Rebbe’s mission. “Our shluchos, and our children on shlichus – they are the true heroes of tonight,” said Rabbi Raskin, concluding his words with a powerful tekias shofar that reverberated throughout the hall.
Minister Eliyahu expressed deep admiration for the shluchim and their dedication: “As someone who grew up his entire life inspired by the image of the Lubavitcher Rebbe – through my grandfather and my father – nothing moves me more than presenting the Shield of Shlichus to the rescue angels of the Jewish people. They are worthy of every praise and every honor.”
