Kinus Banquet Keynote, Guest Speakers Announced
When Shluchim arrive in Crown Heights for the Kinus, they’ll be marking 20 years since Gimel Tamuz. In that span, the “Rebbe’s Shlichus” nearly doubled, and a great number of those new Shluchim have never even seen the Rebbe.
On many an occasion during the 20th year following Yud Shevat, the Rebbe said that while we miss the Rebbe, we must continue to take account of everything that’s been done since the histalkus so Chassidim will be able to better fulfill the Ratzon of the Rebbe.
That powerful message, based on the posuk “Zarach Bachoshech Or” – through darkness, a shining light – has been elected as the theme of this year’s Kinus. By taking account of the last 20 years the Shluchim can see what has been accomplished, celebrate that and then march on to the greatness that is still to come!
Organizers of the grand Kinus spent over six months planning for the once-a-year Chabad showcase weekend. This includes preparing for the Gala banquet at which the Shluchim, their parents, friends and supporters will gather to honor the Rebbe, share his Chassidus and celebrate his Shlichus.
Setting out to locate speakers, the Vaad noted that the ideal candidate in a guest lecturer would have strong ties to Chabad and much life experience to share with the Shluchim. For a the keynote address, the Vaad sought a Shliach who can inspire his colleagues with divrei Chassidus and words of chizuk.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, head of the Kinus Vaad, expressed confidence that the two perfect candidates had been secured. “The Vaad scoured the Shluchim family and the long list of Chabad supporters and admirers to find two speakers that could accurately portray this years Kinus theme” Kotlarsky said.
The honorable, former U.S. Senator, Mr. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut will take the podium as this years guest speaker. Lieberman first connected with Chabad-Lubavitch in his Law School days at Yale University in New Haven. As he describes, a friend of his brought him to a farbrengen in 770.
“I was entranced, if you will, with the fervor, with the spirit and with the sense of purpose” Mr. Lieberman said of the farbrengen. Speaking of the Rebbe he continued, “I was impressed by the Rebbe. By his obvious spirituality, by his soaring intellect, by the extent to which he was involved in the world.”
Joe Lieberman’s respect and reverence for the Rebbe turned him admirer immediately, supporter later and seeker of advice and blessing throughout his public and political career.
According to Rabbi Yisrael Deren, Shliach and the Regional Director of Chabad in Connecticut, “Joe Lieberman is a close friend with awesome respect for the Rebbe’s Shluchim all over the world. His public career as a Shomer Torah U’mitzvot in the highest pinnacles of government has made him a role model for many.”
Lieberman, who has lectured to Jewish communities across the globe and countless American political conferences, wowed the world, and Jewish world specifically in his bold campaigns for the two highest elected positions in the land.
During one of his early political campaigns, Lieberman travelled to Crown Heights to seek the Rebbe’s brochos. Lieberman served as the Senator from Connecticut from 1989 until his retirement in early 2013.
Rabbi Dov Greenberg, co-director and Shliach of the Rohr Chabad House – Jewish Student Center at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA since 2002, has been selected to represent his fellow Shluchim under the spotlight. He is no stranger to helping his fellow Shluchim and is often quoted – across the globe – in Shabbos sermons, classes and articles.
His ability to morph difficult and complex Chassidic texts and topics into short, everyday Divrei Torah, allows many others to share in the knowledge of Chassidus. Thousands of people read his articles and essays on a daily basis at Chabad.org, Algemeiner, Torah Cafe and more.
