Virtual Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen Attended By Young Shluchim Across The Globe
Uniting young Shluchim from around the world in a tremendous display of hiskashrus, a one-hour virtual farbrengen was hosted by MyShliach at Merkos 302 on Gimmel Tammuz. Attended by over 1400 Yaldei Hashluchim from 20 countries, the event ensured every young shliach had the opportunity to experience this special day, together with their online community of like-minded peers.
As Shluchim worldwide converged on New York to mark Gimmel Tammuz Shloshim Shanah, their children, young Shluchim such as Shlome Rivkin of Hillsboro, Oregon needed a Farbrengen of their own. “The farbrengen uplifted the entire day for my children. While I was away from home to visit the Ohel, I knew they had the authentic chassidishe experience virtually with MyShliach,” said Rabbi Menachem Rivkin, shliach to Hillsboro, Oregon. “They wrote a pan and sang nigunim to prepare for the farbrengen with their fellow Yaldei Hashluchim across the world, which was a memorable one with a great impact.”
MC’d energetically by Avremi Rappoport, the interactive program featured a jam-packed schedule, including videos of the Rebbe, guest Farbrengers, the 12 pesukim said by Yaldei Hashluchim worldwide, a musical performance, and a grand raffle. “The Rebbe constantly emphasized the key role young Shluchim play in their Makom Hashlichus said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, “involving the Rebbe’s young Shluchim in this special day is critical and its heartwarming to see the energy and connection of the next generation of shluchim.”
The young shluchim watched a video of the Rebbe explaining how Chassidim strengthened the Rebbe’s “life” after his passing, by studying and sharing the Rebbe’s teachings. This was followed by an address from Rabbi Mendy Teldon, shliach to Comack, NY, streamed live from the Merkos 302 Podcast Studio at Chabad Headquarters, he emphasized to the children how privileged they are to grow up as part of the Rebbe’s Shlichus.
The Twelve Pesukim were led by families of young shluchim from around the world, with videos sent in by their parents ahead of the program. The children following online recited the pesukim word for word, led virtually by the Shemtov family in B.C., Canada, the Jacobs family in Birmingham, UK, and many more.
A series of Gimmel Tammuz-related multiple-choice questions kept the families engaged. Participants submitted their answers online to win a drone, which was won by Esther and Shimon Grossbaum of Livingston, NJ.
Rabbi Lev Yakov Voskoboynik, Shliach in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shared his path to Yiddisheit as a teenager. At 16, he was an award-winning tennis player in Los Angeles before attending a CTeen Extreme Summer camp, which ultimately led him to embrace a fully observant lifestyle. Drawing from his personal experience, Rabbi Voskoboynik encouraged the young Shluchim to write to the Ohel on Gimmel Tammuz, asserting, “The Rebbe always answers.”
The event concluded with upbeat nigunim performed by Jewish Superstar Benny Friedman, who encouraged everyone to dance in their homes. Despite different time zones, with the event taking place in the early evening Eastern Time and late night in Europe, young shluchim united with joy and dedication marking the holy day.
A recording of the event can be watched at myshliach.com/farbrengen
