Australian and New Zealand Shluchim Gather for Kinus in Bondi: Transforming Pain into Purpose

Chabad of Bondi hosted Shluchim from across Australia and New Zealand for a historic Regional Kinus Hashluchim on Rosh Chodesh Adar 5786.

The gathering was particularly poignant, held just two months after a devastating terror attack at a Bondi Beach Chanukah event that claimed 15 lives, including beloved colleagues Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY”D and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan HY”D.

The Kinus was the realized vision of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had worked tirelessly to bring his fellow Shluchim together. In his honor, the program focused on the theme “From Pain to Purpose,” emphasizing the transformation of grief into a renewed sense of mission and dedication to Shlichus.

Throughout the two-day convention, participants engaged in intensive sessions and collaborative workshops designed to strengthen their impact. Under the guidance of moderators Rabbi Chanoch Sufrin and Rabbi Menachem Aron, the Shluchim developed concrete Hachlotos for their local communities and shared personal commitments to strengthen their own Shlichus.

Round-table exchanges covered critical areas such as emotional support, youth programming, and organization management. A somber yet resolute highlight was the Tahalucha to Bondi Beach, where the group recited Tehillim at the site of the attack, davening for the victims and for strength to carry their mission forward.

The Gala Banquet, emceed by Rabbi Eli Feldman, from Young Adult Chabad, opened with a formal welcome by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, director of Chabad of Bondi, and included addresses from Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM, head of Chabad NSW, Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, shliach and Philanthropist, and guest speaker Larry Diamond, founder of Zip Co, a digital finance company.

The Keynote address was given by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, From Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, who flew in to support and address the shluchim on behalf of Chabad headquarters. Speakers and sessions focused on the goal of Shlichus: preparing the world for Moshiach through daily work and communal growth.

The dedicated group of individuals and organizations who made the Kinus possible include Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner, Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, and Chabad of Bondi.

Shluchim returned to their communities fortified by a deep sense of Achdus, ready to carry forward their sacred work with renewed and added strength.