70 Hours, 70 Shluchim, Endless Inspiration

For nearly four days the Shluchim of the Midwestern U.S. gathered in Chicago for their annual regional Kinus. From Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, 70 Shluchim convened to fulfill the Rebbe’s directive that gave birth to the Regional Kinusim.

From Thursday afternoon, 26 Tammuz, until Sunday afternoon, Erev Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, sessions were hosted by five Chabad Mosdos. For what seemed like a 70 hour non-stop marathon, the Shluchim shared, learned, and inspired one another. The highlight was the inspirational Shabbaton held at the Cheder Lubavitch campus, where the Shluchim enjoyed a truly “ruchneyasdike” experience of learning, davening and farbrenging together.

The grand finale was a community brunch held on Sunday with special guest Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin of JEM, who enthralled the audience with the unique video clips of the Rebbe and the new programs that JEM is introducing.

Many thanks are due to all the hosting Shluchim, and especially to Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, whose participation at the Kinus helped ensure its great success.

The following is an overview of the Midwest Kinus 5773 program:

Thursday, 26 Tammuz, at Chabad Center of Glenview
Hosting Shliach – Rabbi Yishaya Benjaminson

Chavrusah Learning b’Toras Rabbeinu

Opening Session – “Sharing What Works Best for Us in Shlichus”
Facilitator – Rabbi Shmuely Rothman

Friday, 27 Tammuz at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook
Hosting Shliach – Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz

Session 1: “Guidance in Navigating the Halachos of Giyur & Chevra Kadisha”
Moderator – Rabbi Yosef Posner
Panelists – Rabbis Chaim M. Bergstein, Rabbi Baruch Hertz, Rabbi Yossi Schanowitz, Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein

Session 2: “Increasing in Quantity & Quality”
Moderator – Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov
Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun, Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin, Rabbi Yosef S. Moscowitz

Session 3: Presentation on Youth Activities & CTeen
Rabbi Chaim Telsner, Rabbi Yossi Bassman, Schneur Z. Notik

Session 4: “Our Children – Our Shlichus”
Moderator – Rabbi Baruch Epstein
Rabbi Yona Matusof, Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbi Levi Stern, Rabbi Mendel Moscowitz

Shabbos Mevorchim Menachem Av, 5773
at Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School, 5201 W. Howard, Skokie
Hosting Shluchim – Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf & Rabbi Moshe Wolf

Friday Night:
Limud Da’Ch – Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin
Dvar Malchus – Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf
Setting the Tone – Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky

Shabbos Day:
Inyonei Bais Habechira – Rabbi Yosef Samuels
Dvar Malchus – Rabbi Yossi Shemtov

Hisvaadus:
Shiur in Pirkei Avos – Rabbi Moshe B. Perlstein
Chazaros Da’ch – Rabbi Menachem Schechter

Motzoei Shabbos Mevorchim Menachem Av, 5773
Melaveh Malkeh at the home of Rabbi Baruch Hertz
The Development of the Rebbe’s Shlichus – Rabbi Berel Shemtov

Sunday, 29 Tammuz, 5773
at FREE, 2935 W. Devon, Chicago
Hosting Shluchim – Rabbi Shmuel Notik & Rabbi Levi Notik

Greetings by Rabbi Levi Notik, Rabbi Shmuel Notik, Mr. Shael Bellows, Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz & from Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky

Featured guest speaker:
Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin – Director of JEM who will present “The New Frontier – Greater Access to the Recordings & Photographic Archives of the Rebbe” including highlights of videos that have not yet been released.