Convention Generates New Initiatives and Fresh Inspiration

RUNNING SPRINGS, CA — This weekend, hundreds of Chabad emissaries serving communities across California and Nevada gathered at the Kiryas Schneerson mountaintop campus for the 2008 West Coast Chabad convention. Participants in the annual convention — or Kinus — engaged in interactive workshops, saw the launch of several initiatives that will expand Chabad’s outreach, and enjoyed a stirring keynote address by best-selling author Michael Gerber.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (photos by Israel Bardugo)

Set against the beautiful natural backdrop of the S. Bernardino National Forest, the event on February 17 and 18 marked the largest annual gathering of West Coast Jewish leaders. This was the first time that a Kinus had been held at the rustic Kiryas Schneerson campus, home of Camp Gan Israel Running Springs.

“A Kinus is a special opportunity for Chabad’s representatives to come together to generate renewed inspiration, unity, and commitment,” said Rabbi Boruch S. Cunin, head of West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch. “The theme of this Kinus was ‘miracles,’ and certainly Kiryas Schneerson has witnessed many — from the incredible success fighting last year’s wildfires, to the joy of the children at CGI Running Springs, to the fellowship and learning during all our weekend retreats. It’s very fitting that we gather at the mountaintop to recognize and give thanks for G-d’s miracles.”

Hosted by the Panikoff Center of Love and Kindness, the Kinus offered a series of workshops and presentations on various issues and concerns relevant to local Chabad representatives. Rabbis shared their insights on topics ranging from determining traditional kosher guidelines to maintaining professional business standards. Other sessions allowed speakers to showcase successful community programming and explore keys to personal growth and development.

Several outreach initiatives aimed at helping Chabad spread its core message to a wider audience were also unveiled during the weekend. The new AskMoses TV will harness the power of online technology to educate and entertain Internet users. Run by Mendy Pellin — who’s already a celebrity among the “soul surfers” of Jewish cyberspace — this online TV network will offer different channels of video covering subjects from Torah studies and kosher cooking to humor and music.

The B-Mitzvah Project will offer free Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies to people of any age who have not yet experienced these important Jewish events. With the slogan that “it’s never too late to celebrate,” the effort will encourage men and women of all ages to embrace their Jewish roots.

A third initiative, “Chabad Welcomes You,” is a new holiday awareness campaign that will use eye-catching publicity to ensure that the major Jewish holidays become better known — and help Chabad centers reach out to more young people and families during the holidays.

The convention at Kiryas Schneerson also offered a memorial to the life and work of Rabbi Avraham Levitansky, Chabad’s longtime representative in S. Monica who passed away in May of 2007.

The Kinus culminated in a gala banquet with a series of speeches, video presentations, and a musical performance by the Lior Kaminetzky Ensemble. The keynote speech was delivered by Michael E. Gerber, the bestselling author of the “E-Myth” books and founder of E-Myth Worldwide, an organization aimed at the small business and entrepreneurial community. Gerber’s “E-Myth” embodies a commitment to personal growth and a realization that a business owner’s purpose in life can be actualized through their work.

”The Kinus was a celebration of the vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, whose mission to spread light throughout the world continues through the tireless efforts of his emissaries,” said Rabbi Cunin. “Now, we move forward with new dedication to bring about the ultimate fulfillment of the Rebbe’s vision with the coming of Moshiach.”