YU Rosh Yeshiva to Headline Kinus Halacha Track
With the Jewish communal landscape experiencing both rising rates of intermarriage and a renewed interest in Jewish identity, this year’s Kinus Hashluchim will feature a dedicated Day of Halacha, offering shluchim the opportunity to learn, review, and gain clarity on fundamental halachic issues, such as yuchasin, geirus, mamzeirus, and related questions that arise in shlichus.
Headlining the program will be Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and a renowned posek, who will be joined by leading Chabad Rabbonim and Dayanim.
The sessions will focus on contemporary and practical applications of Birur HaYahadus and Inyanei Yuchasin, the halachic processes of verifying Jewish status, dealing with complex family histories, conversions, geirus documents, name changes, Soviet-era records, the rise of global mobility, and more.
“It’s not always simple. But the Rebbe made it clear: our job is to represent and share Torah as it is. We’re here to be Mekarav Yidden laTorah, without compromising an iota,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Director of the International Kinus Hashluchim and Executive Director of Merkos 302. “As the Jewish establishment in many regions around the world, these sessions aim to give them the clarity to handle complex halachic realities with both confidence and sensitivity.”
These areas are among the most intricate in Halacha, yet they often have the most far-reaching implications for a shliach’s day-to-day work. Whether a shliach is asked to officiate at a wedding, prepare a bar mitzvah boy, accept a child into Hebrew school, or even determine who may be counted for a minyan, these questions can directly shape what a shliach may and may not, do.
“Behind every halachic question is a person, a family, sometimes an entire community,” said Rabbi Mendel Chaiton of Merkos Torah at Merkos 302. “These are not theoretics, they’re decisions that shape the face of Jewish life on the ground. Giving shluchim the space to consult, draw guidance and inspiration from fellow Rabbanim, that’s what the Kinus is about.”
Topics to be addressed throughout the day will include: questionable conversions, IVF and surrogate-related geirus considerations, questions of accepting children to Hebrew school programming, questions of kehunah – particularly regarding marriage, issues of mamzeirus, and numerous other real-world situations shluchim encounter
Presenting alongside Rabbi Schacter will be Rabbi Binyomin Jacob, Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov, Rabbi Mordechai Farkash and Rabbi Chaim Schapiro, each for their respective topics.
One session will feature an open Q&A, allowing shluchim to present halachic and communal questions directly to the participating Rabbonim and receive guidance tailored to the realities of shlichus.
Shluchim can register at kinus.com/registration/workshops.
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Full Day Halacha Track
Practical Birur Yahadus – Hashkafa and Ideas
Addressing contemporary challenges in clarifying and communicating Yahadus. This session covers the core principles, hashkafic yesodos, and hands-on tools shluchim need to guide their communities effectively.
Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs – Amersfoort, Netherlands
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Yuchsin – Part 1
Understanding the yuchsin of a Yid, what to look for, potential issues that arise, and how to address them properly.
Discussion includes Kehuna, Giyores, Zonah, Gerusha, Bas Nochri, and Mamzeirus.
Rabbi Hershel Schachter | Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov | Moderated by Rabbi Mendy Piekarski
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Yuchsin – Part 2
Navigate the complexities shluchim face with conversion and Jewish identity. We’ll clarify common misconceptions and address real she’eilos from the field.
Rabbi Hershel Schachter | Rabbi Mordechai Farkash | Moderated by Rabbi Yossi Mendelson
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שאלות ותשובות
An opportunity to discuss halachic and communal shailos directly with the Rabbonim in an open Q&A format.
Rabbi Hershel Schachter | Rabbi Chaim Schapiro | Moderated by Rabbi Sholom Lew.
For more info, visit: kinus.com/registration/workshops.
