Asian Regional Kinus Hashluchim Begins

Shluchim serving in the “not so near” east have come together for a regional Kinus Hashluchim. Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, who was entrusted by the Rebbe to facilitate regional Kinusim worldwide, traveled to Taiwan for the event.

The Kinus, which is being hosted by Rabbi Shlomo and Racheli Tabib of Chabad Taipei, Taiwan, is a platform for Shluchim to connect with each other and inspire one another. This year’s event also includes the celebration of a brand new state-of-the-art Chabad house for the Taiwan community.

Workshops led by fellow Shluchim on topics relevant to their unique Shlichus in the eastern countries are planned, as well as guest appearances by Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Dovid Lau, along with leading Australian Rabbanim Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and Rabbi Moshe Gutnick.

The Kinus commences tonight with a dinner banquet and farbrengen amongst the Shluchim and will bring together Shluchim from all across Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Korea.

Rabbi Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, and his son Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, also took the opportunity to tour the new Chabad House building, which has been completed in time for the Kinus. The tour included the beautiful new Mikvah committed to as part of last year’s Kinus Hashluchim Hachlatos “triple our efforts” initiatives, one of which was to build 120 new Mikvaos in Chabad Houses worldwide.

The Rebbe had always discouraged the characterization of geographical places as far away. Once when Rabbi Kotlarsky brought Mr. Abi Kashani to the Rebbe, the Rebbe told Kashani, “You come from a place in the East people call the opposite of near.”

The Kinus Hashluchim is a significant event for the Shluchim serving in the “not so near” east. It offers an opportunity for Shluchim to overcome geographical distance and inspire each other in their unique roles as emissaries of the Rebbe.