RECAP: Monumental Campus Kinus In Israel
“Extreme times call for extreme measures.”
This was the message given to the campus Shluchim by Rabbi Ephraim Piekarski, Shliach to Bar-Ilan University in Tel-Aviv, at the campus Kinus in Eretz Yisrael. For him and his students, along with campus Shluchim in Israel and indeed around the world, these are extreme times.
The Chabad on Campus International Kinus HaShluchim in Eretz Yisrael was the “extreme measure” they needed.
“Jewish students need support like never before, provided with relentless intensity,” said Rabbi Yossy Gordon, CEO of Chabad on Campus International. “This support must come from individuals dedicated to the truth of our existence as the Jewish People and our rights to our beautiful and cherished homeland, Eretz Yisrael. These individuals are the Shluchim and Shluchos who direct Chabad Houses on campuses. Clearly, the opportunity for campus Shluchim to connect, recharge, unite, and inspire one another has never been more significant. And clearly, the place for that to take place this year was in Eretz Yisrael.”
DAY 1
The Kinus began at the Ohel, on Gimmel Tammuz Shloshim Shana , with a special campus Shluchim program and farbrengen. Shiurim by Rabbi Eli Silberstein – Chabad of Cornell University, and Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm – Chabad at the University of Colorado, as well as a farbrengen led by Rabbi Yossy Gordon and other campus Shluchim highlighted the kickoff of the Kinus HaShluchim, 5784. From there, the Shluchim boarded buses straight to the airport for the continuation of the Kinus in Eretz Yisrael.
DAY 2
The uniqueness of this year’s Kinus was not lost on the Israeli public, and it showed immediately. 25 campus Shluchim were invited to the Prime Minister’s office for a special visit with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to mark Gimmel Tammuz and welcome the campus Shluchim to Eretz Yisrael.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Shluchim and thanked them for coming. He spoke of the Rebbe’s guidance that has guided him to this day, concluding: “The most important message I have for you is don’t bend, don’t cower, don’t surrender, not to these antisemitic lies, not to the fear, not to the intimidation.”
Rabbi Moshe Shilat, director of Chabad on Campus Israel, thanked the Prime Minister for hosting the meeting and spoke about the work of Shluchim on campus throughout Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Avi Weinstein, COO of Chabad on Campus International, conveyed to the Prime Minister the significance of holding the campus Kinus in Israel at this time.
“This year, it was clear that there’s only one place where we can meet together, and that’s right here, in Israel,” Rabbi Avi Weinstein said, addressing the Prime Minister. “The reasons we chose to do this are twofold. First, some people think the Jewish people are a small nation. We know that we’re actually a big family. And when someone in your family is in pain you show up. We are here to express our love and support to the people of Israel during a challenging time. Second, what is happening here is directly impacting campuses… In order for us to support our students and advocate to our university administrations effectively, it is critical that we see what is happening here with our own eyes.” Rabbi Weinstein concluded by speaking about the Rebbe’s position of making decisions related to Israel based primarily on what will preserve the safety and security of the people in Israel.
Starting in Kfar Chabad, close to 200 Shluchim received their complimentary travel bags and Kinus Companion, a unique publication created for the Kinus with fascinating information on the different locations they were soon to encounter. After the welcome lunch, they headed across the street to “770,” where they heard about the unique history of “the Rebbe’s village.”
An essential element of the Kinus was visiting and engaging with the unique campus Shlichus in Eretz Yisrael. The Shluchim were hosted by Rabbi Chilik Kaplan, Chabad at Ono Academic College, at his unique campus Chabad house (inside the University building!), getting an up-close view of the powerful and inspiring work of campus Shluchim in Israel. They heard from the University president, Mr. Renan Hartman, about the crucial impact of the Chabad Shluchim on the future of Israeli youth.
At the Sheba Medical Center, Shluchim participated in a powerful display of bikkur cholim, hearing emotional accounts from wounded IDF heroes and sharing their deep love and support with them and their families.
President of Israel Isaac Herzog addressed the Shluchim during the Wednesday night dinner virtually with a personal message. “Each of you has stepped forward out of a deep sense of connection to Klal Yisrael, to the sacred task of strengthening Jewish life in one of the most challenging contexts of the contemporary world… You are the heart of this resilience… I wish to thank each and every one of you.”
DAY 3
The third day of the monumental Kinus was devoted to the Kinus’s significant priorities: supporting our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael and gaining a deep appreciation for the situation in Eretz Yisrael, which has impacted campus Shlichus throughout the past year in unimaginable ways.
The Shluchim first headed to Sderot, the closest major city to the Gaza Strip. They visited the famed Police Station, hearing the heroic October 7 personal account from the local police captain. The Shluchim then piled into the Chabad House, where they heard personal accounts of the tragic Simchas Torah morning from Rabbi Asher Pizem of Chabad of Sderot and Rabbi Herzel Schaubi, the local Rabbi of the Sephardic community. They shared passionate and inspiring messages of hope and purpose with the Shluchim, themes that were to feature throughout the Kinus.
At the Nova Festival Site, Shluchim heard from Oren Laufer, a true hero who, together with his father-in-law, Rami Davidian, rescued hundreds from the Nova Festival, including Roi, who shared his story with the Shluchim as well. Together, they davened for the hostages in captivity in Gaza and the neshamos of those taken al kiddush Hashem. They then broke out in song as the Shluchim provided Oren and Roi the Simchas Torah celebration taken from them this past year.
From there they headed north for a special BBQ and concert with soldiers from the nearby Shura army base, providing much-needed chizuk and joy to them and their families. The Shluchim and soldiers were pleasantly surprised when superstar singer Ishay Ribo walked out on stage, leading them in song into the night. Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli addressed the Shluchim at the BBQ and shared how impactful the work they are doing on campus is.
The special evening was generously sponsored by Raisethon in honor of the brave soldiers of the IDF. Founder and CEO Rabbi Shloimy Greenwald joined in person, sharing words of inspiration and encouragement with the Shluchim and soldiers.
The day wrapped up with an alum-focused Dessert and Social event at the hotel, where Shluchim and their alumni residing in Eretz Yisrael had the opportunity to reconnect. Shluchim had the opportunity to write a letter in a new Sefer Torah being written l’ilui nishmas a young campus Shliach, Levi Lewin A”H.
DAYS 4 AND 5
Friday was spent in Yerushalayim, beginning with a visit and tour of Mayanot’s brand new building. The Shluchim spent the rest of the day doing mivtzoim at the Machane Yehuda Shuk and exploring the holy sites in Yerushalayim.
Joining the Kinus on Friday afternoon were 33 campus Shluchim from throughout Eretz Yisrael.
After the group picture at the Kosel, Shluchim enjoyed a beautiful seder niggunim and Kabbolas Shabbos at the Kosel, singing and dancing with chayalim on their shoulders. They then headed back for an inspiring Shabbos Seudah at the hotel. Farbrengens ran throughout the night and the rest of Shabbos, as they encouraged and strengthened each other in their all-important Shlichus.
At the Melave Malka, the international impact of Chabad on Campus was on full display, as Shluchim from Russia and Israel shared words of inspiration and gave their fellow Shluchim a glimpse of the unique situations in which they carry out their Shlichus.
Keynoting the event was Mr. Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet Refusenik and a renowned human rights activist. He spoke of the impact Chabad had on Jews in Soviet Russia and the love and support of campus Shluchim on campuses around the world. Rabbi Avi Weinstein presented him with a new book on the Rebbe’s views on peace in Israel, published by Sichos in English, Make Peace. Upon his receiving the book, the Shluchim broke out in song, singing “Nyet Nyet Nikavo”.
DAY 6
The last day of the Kinus began with an emotional visit to Kever Rochel, where the Shluchim were joined by John Polin and his wife Rachel, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the many hostages in captivity in Gaza. Their moving words were followed by davening and Tehillim for Hersh and the other hostages.
The next stop was Chevron, the storied holy city with a rich Chabad history, where they were addressed by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky and Rabbi Danny Cohen of Chabad of Chevron. They davened by Me’aras Hamachpela and the kever of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, singing the Mitteler Rebbe’s Kapelya and Pada Vi’Shalom by her kever.
The Shluchim gathered for an elegant closing banquet that honored their selfless work and dedication in a truly fitting and deserving manner. They sang moving niggunim led by Israeli Chabad vocalist Yisroel Jerufi and danced together in a tremendous spirit of achdus.
“This Kinus was incredible!” remarked one Shliach. “I feel like a sponge that absorbed for six days straight, both the experiences of our Israeli brothers and the איבערגעגעבענקייט of all Shluchim.”
“…For me personally, in addition to the many amazing experiences and uplifting moments, the highest point of the Kinus was the שבת אחים, the feeling of how we, the campus Shluchim, are truly משפחה אחת,” wrote another. “Although we are at so many different kinds of campuses, are of different ages and varying backgrounds, etc. – there is a strong unity that binds us together. Lchaim Brider!”
