South African Shluchim Unite

The unique and consistent Brochos that the Rebbe gave for the future of South Africa set the tone for a two day Kinus Hashluchim for the over 50 Shluchim serving the South African Jewish Community.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Mendel Lipskar, Chabad today boasts Shuls, Schools, Community Centers, Torah Education Centers and Yeshivos, Social Service programmes and numerous other community services operating out of the close to 20 Chabad Centers in all of the major Jewish communities in South Africa. In addition, many of the prominent Synagogues in the country are headed by Shluchim who serve as the rabbinic leaders for these institutions.

For two days the Shluchim made use of the conference facilities at the luxurious Thandeka Lodge in Bela Bela. The rustic backdrop of the game reserve provided the setting for the intense discussions on new goals being set for communal “in reach and out reach,” formal education and other topical issues facing the Shluchim. The theme of the Kinus was “Uforatzta – 770” with new gaols and targets set at the conclusion of each session and groups of the Shluchim undertaking to implement the resolutions of the Kinus.

The Shluchim were welcomed to the five star facility and delicious meals were catered by the chefs who were overseen by Rebbetzin Mashi Lipskar. The first day of sessions ended with a late night Farbrengen that brought a beautiful sense of “sheves achim gam yochach” as the elder Shluchim sat with their younger colleagues until the wee hours of the morning… The morning started with a sunrise game drive through the expansive reserve followed by a Shiur chassidus with Rabbi Groner and further session until the conclusion of the Kinus.

Plans have already been announced for the upcoming Kinus Hashluchos which promises to be an even greater success of uniting the tremendous potential in the pioneers of Rebbe’s Shlichus in South Africa.