Kinus Marks Milestone for Caribbean Jewish Life
The room had quieted. The banquet dinner was coming to a close, heartfelt l’chaims and words of inspiration resonated throughout the beautiful evening. Then Mr. John Klein, a local hotelier and member of the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Chabad community, stepped forward. Facing two dozen Shluchim along with 60 guests, he unfolded a piece of paper and began to read:
“In the heart of the tropics where the palm trees sway,
Chabad rabbis gather, lighting up the way.
From Aruba’s breeze to Barbados’ charm,
Bahamas and Curaçao with a spiritual arm.”
It wasn’t just poetry. It was a map, one that, for the first time, was now fully drawn. Every major island in the Caribbean now has a resident Shliach.
“It’s the fulfillment of ‘V’atem teluktu echad-echad,’” said Rabbi Mendel Zarchi, head Shliach of the region. “Hashem is gathering His people, spiritually and geographically. These dedicated Shluchim are the hands of Hashem at work.”
Shluchim from across the Caribbean gathered in St. Thomas, hosted by Rabbi Asher Federman and his family. From S. Lucia to Martinique, they represented more than twenty islands. It was the first time many of them had been in the same room in years.
“Although some islands are geographically close, you can’t just drive or fly directly; it’s a long journey,” one Shliach said. “The only way we draw strength from each other is by sitting here together in person.”
That strength was palpable from the onset. Roundtable discussions led by the Shluchim tackled those responsibilities head-on: Children’s Chinuch, staying motivated throughout seasonal rushes and slowdowns, kosher supervision for local food establishments and resorts, and end-of-life care, from tahara to creating Jewish cemeteries, as well as mikvah construction.
The Kinus concluded with the formation of a permanent regional Alliance of Rabbis: a body to address the unique halachic landscape of the Caribbean.
The Kinus, dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, obm, who championed the Rebbe’s vision for Jewish life in the Caribbean with boundless passion and personal care for its Shluchim, carried his imprint throughout.
The iconic roundtable session he pioneered, now led by his son, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, director of the International Kinus Hashluchim and Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch’s efforts to drive Chabad’s global growth and expansion, embodied the spirit of “ish es re’eihu ya’azoru,” as Shluchim tackled and shared challenges, and pooled together ideas on how to advance each other’s work.
Between sessions, they farbrenged deep into the night. Renowned scholar Rabbi Simon Jacobson led with “what felt like a 48-hour farbrengen,” teaching Chassidus, sharing guidance he received from the Rebbe, hosting a candid Q&A session and addressing challenges unique to the islands.
Shluchim shared stories about seeking out the Jew no one else sees, such as a businessman in Puerto Rico who wandered into a Chabad House looking for kosher meat. He left with a pair of tefillin, a lifelong chavrusa, and a new Mitzvah habit of giving tzedakah before meetings.
During the dinner, a part-time island resident and close family friend of the Federman’s stood before the Shluchim and shared:
“Until I met Chabad, I had no connection to authentic Judaism,” she said. “Slowly, my sister in heaven Rebbetzin Henya, along with her husband Rabbi Asher, introduced me and my family to the soul of Judaism. They changed our lives. If any of you are ever on your island wondering, ‘Am I really making an impact?’—call me. I’ll remind you that you do.”
The younger generation was a core focus. A new initiative for Yaldei HaShluchim of the Caribbean was launched through Merkos 302’s MyShliach, creating a digital space where they can connect, farbreng, and swap experiences with kids who live the same reality: no school bus, no classmates, but a shared mission.
A deeply impactful moment, underscoring how strong the dedication to Shlichus runs in the future generation, was when Mendel Federman addressed the crowd:
“Growing up, every time we heard about a new Shliach moving to an island, it was exciting. A simcha for me and my siblings. To have the zchus of hosting all of you here, it’s incredible,” he said.
He then spoke directly to the community. “My mother A”H, gave everything to build Jewish life here. While she might not be with us physically, her legacy, impact and spirit live on. She empowered us with boundless love and through her example to continue. My siblings and I are going to expand her work, the Rebbe’s work, with much greater passion and commitment until the coming of Moshiach.” He reminded the guests in the room that every Jew is a Shliach, and how each of them carry the responsibility to uplift those around them and make their environment a dwelling place for Hashem.
The group visited the historic synagogue of St. Thomas, both local Jewish cemeteries, Chabad’s satellite downtown center, and danced together overlooking the site of the island’s future kosher restaurant and JCC.
Amidst the high and inspiration, Rabbi Zarchi emphasized the Rebbe’s clarion call:
“We must remember that HaMaaseh hu ha’ikar,” he shared. “We must remember we are never stuck in a situation. Every reality is Hashem’s provision of opportunity to unleash infinite good, as the Alter Rebbe explains in Tanya, the unique power of action is that it unleashes G-d’s infinite divine flow, unencumbered by any veils or obscurities. Seize the opportunity and fill the world with g-dly energy.”
The two-day Kinus wrapped up with new initiatives, deeper coordination, and a shared sense of direction. As the Shluchim prepared to part ways, Klein closed with the final lines of his poem:
“They come together from far and wide,
With the Rebbe’s teachings as their guide.
A Caribbean council, hearts aligned,
Bound by purpose, deeply entwined.
No island too small, no soul too far,
Each heart a flame, each light a star.
Photo Credit – Aisha Zakia Boyd
