280 Bochurim Prepare to Set Off On Merkos Shlichus!

As 280 Bochurim prepare to embark on Merkos Shlichus to hundreds of cities worldwide, the Hanholo of Merkas L’inyonei Chinuch held a meeting at the Jewish Children’s Museum to help the Bochurim prepare for their Shlichus. The gathering was chaired by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos.

After welcoming the Bochurim, Rabbi Kotlarsky introduced R’ Abba Perlmutter of California’s Shul by the Shore as the first speaker of the session. R’ Perlmutter told the crowd to “be smart, be professional and take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself” to meet Jewish people and help them experience something Jewish.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

During the two-hour session many speakers shared their own experiences as Merkos Shluchim and inspired the gathered Bochurim to do their best to serve as fitting representatives of the Rebbe.

Rabbi Yosef Kantor of Bangkok spoke as did Rabbi Raleigh Resnick of Northern California. Rabbi Simcha Backman, Shliach to Glendale, CA, introduced the successful JNet program that has thousands of participants pairing up for weekly Torah sessions over the phone. He said that encouraging people to join the program was a valuable way to ensure that a one-time visit had a lasting effect.

Before introducing the next speaker, Rabbi Kotlarsky told the assembled how careful the Rebbe was not to call any Jew “far.” The Rebbe even referred to the Jews of Thailand as being from “a part of the east that is not called ‘near.’” Rabbi Kotlarsky said that it was the mission of the Merkos Shluchim to attract Jewish people who are “not yet near,” to their beautiful heritage.

The Bochurim heard from Mazkir Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky who shared his own stories as a Merkos Shliach and told how a prominent Shliach today was introduced to the Rebbe and Chassidus through a Merkos Shlichus visit to the Midwest decades ago.

Finally, Russia’s chief Rabbi Berel Lazar addressed the crowd and highlighted how vital it is to remember the Mishaleach at every stage of the Shlichus. He quoted the opening verse of this week’s parsha: “Vayikach Korach…ben Levi” and said that Yaakov asked not to be mentioned in the episode of Korach because he knew that his great-grandchild Korach and his followers would receive a greater punishment on account of being his descendants.

Rabbi Lazar used this to illustrate the importance of acting in a manner befitting your position in society, in this case Shluchim of the Rebbe. As a descendant of Yaakov Avinu, much more was expected of Korach than of the average person. As Chassidim and Shluchim of the Rebbe, a greater expectation lies on the shoulders of each of the assembled than of any other person.

The meeting ended with a group picture of the Shluchim and wishes for tremendous Hatzlacha in their Shlichus.