Over 300 Cities to Host Merkos Shluchim this Pesach
A passerby may have assumed a major farbrengen was going on as Rabbi Menachem Posner demonstrated the power of a niggun. At the Yom Iyun for Bochurim departing on Merkos Shlichus for Pesach, Rabbi Posner encouraged bochurim to use the niggun as a tool to help open bring warmth and camaraderie to a crowd of strangers. “If I could get 200 bochurim to sing along with me 
now, you could certainly get your guests to join in the singing. Make sure to use this tool!”
This year, the Merkos Shlichus program will dispatch bochurim to over 300 worldwide cities to assist with Pesach preparations and conduct Pesach Seders. They will be equipped with Matzah, haggadahs and everything that the destination community requires for Pesach.
Halfway through his presentation, Rabbi Posner quickly slipped a tie over his head and tightened it around his neck. “See how much of a difference this makes? The way you present yourselves makes a huge impression on your guests.”
The presentation also included tips on co-running a Seder. How to divide responsibilities and who does what? How to ensure a smoothly flowing seder instead of a fragmented one?
“Come to the Seder early,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch in his address to the bochurim.. Before your Seder begins can be the best time for you to get to know your guests and connect with them personally.”
“For some of the Jews you will meet, you will be the only Jewish person they will meet all year,” said Rabbi Kotlarsky. “We trust that each interaction will be positive, meaningful and respectful. You will be on the holiest of missions, and you will certainly bring the Rebbe immeasurable Nachas.”
Specific Halachos of Bedikas and Biur Chametz were discussed by Rabbi Wilschanski. He also advised how to Kasher sinks, pots, pans, utensils, countertops and other surfaces. Many of the bochurim departing on Merkos shlichus for Pesach will be responsible to Kasher and cook everything for the Sedarim they will be running so this information is extremely relevant and valuable.
Bochurim received brochures, haggadahs, bedikas chametz kits and many other resources at the Yom Iyun. 600 of the bochurim will depart this week to domestic and international destinations. We wish them much success.
