Shluchos Conference Opens in Europe
This week, more than 100 Chabad shluchos in Europe are attending a rich seminar program of fascinating lectures, special shiurim, packed programs, panels, and gourmet meals. The seminar has been arranged by the “Chana” women’s organization and produced by Fleishmann Productions.
This is the fourth year in which Chana has organized its annual seminar.
As each shlicha arrived to register, she received a special bag containing expensive gifts and a rich and fascinating schedule.
Shlucha Dina Stambler of Dnieperpetrovsk in Ukraine emceed the opening session. In her introductory address, she spoke about the importance of Chabad shluchos gathering at least once a year and the strength that they could derive from the seminar.
After this, Shlucha Chanie Margolin, director of the organization, gave an overview of the activities of Chana, which works so hard with the shluchos in Europe.
Shlucha Rachel Faith of Hungary was then asked to recite the Rebbe’s letter to the N’shei Chabad Conference.
Under the title, “And life is given to his heart,” Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, deputy secretary of Beis Din Rabbanei Chabad and the Rabbi of the Chabad community in Rechovot, gave a moving talk that included some amazing stories about the Rebbe’s involvement and help in the lives of the shluchim.
Recharging Spiritual Batteries
The first lecture session was emceed by Shlucha Shoshi Glitzenstein of Budapest, during which Rabbi Simcha Cohen, a renowned expert on relationships, and Rabbi Gluckowsky spoke about educating the children of shluchim.
This was followed by the famous chef Miri Zorger giving a presentation on gourmet entertaining. The shluchos, many of whom have to entertain on a regular basis, gained a lot from her presentation.
During the seminar, there was never a dull moment. Every single aspect of it became a shared experience. For example, the shluchos recharged their spiritual batteries by studying Chitas with the Shlucha Bella Gansburg of Milan, Italy.
Chassidic Messages
On the first evening of the seminar, the main session took place, emceed by Shlucha Feigy Stolin of Rostov, Russia.
Similar to the International Conference of Shluchim in New York, the session opened with the Rebbe’s Chapter of Tehillim, recited by the Shlucha Leah Namdar of Sweden.
The keynote speaker was Chana Axelrod of Cherkassy in Ukraine, who delivered a series of Chassidic messages that held the crowd of shluchos, who work so devotedly on their shlichus, spellbound.
A considerable part of the session was devoted to a special artistic presentation with sand that was combined with a moving story of the Alter Rebbe. After the presentation, the shluchos got together to sign a general pan to the Rebbe, as they watched rare footage of the leader of the generation. Shlucha Rivka Chazan of Milan read out the main pan.
A Farbrengen at the End of the Day
In case you thought this was the end of the program, you were mistaken. The first day of the seminar concluded with a special Chassidic farbrengen, emceed by Shlucha Sterna Gruzman of Vienna, Austria, conducted by veteran Shlucha Eshka Pewzner of Paris, France, Batsheva Oberlander of Budapest, Hungary, Judy Lazar of Milan, Chana Diskin of Milan, Rivka Chazan of Milan and Leah Namdar of Sweden.
And of course, Chana didn’t neglect the more material aspects of the conference either. The shluchos enjoyed delicious meals with a rich menu, catered by the Carmel catering company under the direction of Shliach Rabbi Shmulik Oirechman and chef Miri Zorger.
The conference was produced by Fleishmann Productions.
