Fourteen Countries, One Mission: Antwerp Yeshiva Hosts Kinus Hashluchim

In keeping with an established tradition, Tomchei Temimim Antwerp in Belgium held its own Kinus Hashluchim alongside the International Kinus Hashluchim in New York, with many of the parents of the yeshiva’s bochurim, who serve as the Rebbe’s Shluchim in countries around the world, participating in the international gathering.

This year’s program marked 40 years since Didan Notzach and was built around the theme of the Rebbe’s sicha at the International Kinus Hashluchim of 5750 (1990). In that sicha, the Rebbe explained the significance of 40 years since the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe, after which “a person comes to fully understand his teacher’s teachings” (kayam inish ada’ata d’rabeih). The Rebbe also discussed the added strength and completeness achieved when Shluchim from every corner of the world unite around one common mission: fulfilling the will of the Meshaleiach.

The theme was also connected to Hei Teves, which demonstrated that “Lubavitch is active” (Lubavitch iz aktiv), and that the work of Lubavitch continues to grow and expand. This serves as an expression of the Rebbe’s eternal life, in the spirit of the teaching, “Just as his descendants are alive, so too is he alive.”

The program opened on Wednesday with a special shiur delivered by Rabbi Mendel Gurary on the Kinus Hashluchim and Hei Teves, marking 40 years since Didan Notzach. This was followed by a learning session devoted to the Rebbe’s 5750 Kinus Hashluchim sicha.

In preparation for Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah, the yeshiva’s student Shluchim announced a special initiative titled “A Shlichus-Dike Shabbos.” The bochurim returned to their parents’ places of Shlichus to fill in for their fathers, who had traveled to New York for the International Kinus, and continue the Shlichus activities throughout Shabbos.

A special booklet was prepared and distributed for the initiative. It included the Rebbe’s 5750 sicha, diary entries from the Kinus Hashluchim of 5748 and 5750, and daily assignments involving learning and practical activities connected to Shlichus. Bochurim who completed the assignments received tickets for prize raffles.

On Sunday evening, the bochurim who had already returned to the yeshiva gathered to watch the live broadcast of the International Kinus Hashluchim banquet in New York. The following day, a quiz was held on the sicha they had studied, with three raffles for important seforim among the participants.

On Tuesday evening, the eve of the second day of Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the grand banquet took place in the event hall of the Antwerp Beis Chabad.

At 6:00 p.m., the bochurim gathered for a group photograph alongside the yeshiva administration and student Shluchim. Each participant received a personalized identification badge featuring his name, photograph, and place of Shlichus, modeled after the badges distributed at the International Kinus Hashluchim.

The participants then entered a hall specially decorated for the occasion. Round tables were arranged according to the countries in which the bochurim serve as Shluchim, with national flags, decorative tablecloths, flowers, candles, and an elegant burgundy-and-gold color scheme. Each table featured folded song booklets containing the words of the niggun “Shluchei Adoneinu,” as well as laminated bentcher sheets as a keepsake from the gathering.

In addition to the bochurim and yeshiva administration, the banquet was attended by friends of Chabad from the Antwerp community, reflecting the format of the International Kinus banquet, which also welcomes friends and supporters of the Shluchim and their institutions.

The banquet was emceed by student Shliach Menachem Mendel Danow, who opened the program with words of welcome and a Dvar Malchus from one of the Rebbe’s sichos.

Temimim Eli Kamisar, a Shliach in Amsterdam, Holland, was honored with reciting the Rebbe’s kapitel in Tehillim, while Levi Matusov, a Shliach in Pau, France, was invited to recite the Rebbetzin’s kapitel.

The program included the screening of video footage of the Rebbe, followed by addresses from the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tverdovitch, and Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki, the Rebbe’s Shliach to Antwerp and Rav of the city’s Chabad community.

The gathering was also honored by the participation of the renowned Gaon, Rabbi Aharon Schiff, Rav of the Machzikei Hadass community in Antwerp, who addressed the bochurim. Rabbi Zusha Wolf, a Mashpia who traveled from Eretz Yisroel, also participated and later led a Chassidishe farbrengen with the bochurim.

Representatives of each of the yeshiva’s three classes also addressed the gathering, sharing thoughts on Shlichus and personal stories from their experiences.

Representing Shiur Aleph was Menachem Mendel Teichtel, a Shliach in Berlin, Germany. Shiur Beis was represented by Sholom Dovber Amar, a Shliach in Porto-Combo, France, while Ovadia Strocks represented Shiur Gimmel as a Shliach in Cologne, Germany.

A specially produced video presentation was then screened, featuring messages from the Rebbe’s Shluchim around the world to the young Shluchim studying in the yeshiva.

Among those featured were Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, head Shliach to California; Rabbi Yehuda Teichtel, Shliach in Berlin, Germany; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Azimov, Shliach in Paris, France; Rabbi Shmuel Lew, Shliach in London, England; Rabbi Nechemia Wilhelm, Shliach in Bangkok, Thailand; Rabbi Yossi Shemtov, Shliach in Toledo, Ohio; Rabbi Yisroel Noach Maiesky, Shliach in Accra, Ghana; Rabbi Akiva Kamisar, Shliach in Amsterdam, Holland; Rabbi Yossi Feller, Shliach in Cranbury, Pennsylvania; Rabbi Aharon Ben Levi, Shliach to the Georgian Jewish community in Holon, Israel; and Rabbi Shmuel Lubetzky, Shliach in Rouen, France, and editor of the sefer Didan Notzach.

Several parents of bochurim currently studying in the yeshiva also participated in the video. Their messages focused on the work of Shlichus and the important role of the younger generation in continuing their parents’ work and following in their footsteps.

A festive two-course meal was served throughout the banquet. The musical program was provided by Chassidic singer Mendy Gabai and keyboardist Yosef Persman, who traveled especially from France for the occasion.

One of the highlights of the evening was the traditional Roll Call, led by Levi Yitzchak Arnow, during which the 14 countries represented by the yeshiva’s bochurim were announced.

As each country was called, the bochurim whose families serve there stood up to the sound of the niggun “Shluchei Adoneinu.” When France was announced, the participants danced to “Ha’adereis Veha’emunah,” performed to the tune of the French national anthem.

Following the Roll Call, the participants joined for a zimun and Birchas Hamazon. The evening continued with a Chassidishe farbrengen led by Mashpia Rabbi Zusha Wolf, which carried on into the late hours of the night.

At the conclusion of the gathering, participants received a special publication prepared and printed in honor of the banquet, titled “Oif Meine Pleytzos” (“On My Shoulders”).

The 24-page publication features stories of Shlichus shared by the young Shluchim studying in the yeshiva, most of which are being published for the first time. The stories come from Shlichus locations around the world and describe experiences involving putting on tefillin with fellow Jews, Hashgacha Protis, and the impact of Shlichus activities on Jewish lives.

The booklet opens with stories highlighting the Rebbe’s special relationship with the children of Shluchim, particularly the Rebbe’s response to Rabbi Nissan Pinson, obm: “Der Chinuch fun dayne kinder iz oif meine pleytzos” — “The chinuch of your children is on my shoulders.”

It also includes the Rebbe’s words emphasizing the importance of including photographs of Shluchim’s children in the Sefer Hashluchim, so that they would be encouraged to follow in their parents’ footsteps and become Shluchim themselves.

The yeshiva administration expressed its appreciation to student Shluchim Shmuel Sudri and Menachem Mendel Danow, who organized and produced the gathering, with the assistance of staff member Levi Yitzchak Zevulun and the many bochurim who helped with the preparations and execution of the event.

Photos: Temimim Menachem Mendel Shish and Elchanan Pavzner.