Banquet: Full Report, Photos

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Crown Heights Updates

5 years ago

Banquet: Full Report, Photos

The Gala Banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim took place Motzei Shabbos, with 2,000 Shluchim from across the globe attending. Photos by ChabadInfo photographer Baruch Ezagui • Full Story, Photos

The blue-tapestry covered walls colored the hall with a rich hue of splendor; the Rebbe’s Farbrengen Bimah adorned with a large, breathtaking photo of the Rebbe transmits an authentic Chassidishe vibe combined with an elegant touch.

The music, a band of highly talented musicians, infuse attendees with soul-stirring melodies that transport to an older time, to another place; leading the group is orchestral-vindicator and musician R’ Yossi Cohen, together with his band; to their left, stands the podium, from where speakers and orators will address the esteems invitees.

There’s an aura of suspense in the dimly-lit room that is enveloping all the guests – thousands of Shluchim who by now are being comfortably seated around the square, stylishly bedecked tables.

It’s approximately 10:00 when New Jersey Shliach and Vaad HaKinus member, emcee Rabbi Yosef Carlebach opens the Gala Banquet with a warm Bruchim Haba’im. Large video screens project a Talk of the Rebbe blessing the Shluchim, and expounding and addressing different difficulties Shluchim face. That was soon followed with the famous Rosh Chodesh Kislev Video of 5753, when the Rebbe affirms and reaffirms, indeed enthusiastically encourages, the Shluchim’s singing Yechi Adoneinu.

After reciting the Rebbe’s Perek of Tehillim and pronouncing Yechi, led by Shliach to Paris, France, Rabbi Pinchas Pachter; the emcee invited the Hebrew speaker of the evening Rabbi Yehuda Lipsch, the Shliach of Ramat Aviv Gimmel, ER”Y.

Following the inspiring words from Rabbi Lipsch, the emcee invited member of Badatz Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun to the podium.

Rabbi Braun blessed the Shluchim as a representative of the host community. After concluding, Rabbi Sholom Ber Drizin, chassidic philanthropist and sponsor of the Kinus, gave a short, but rousing address. The emcee then gave him a big Brocha for success in everything and long, health years.

The grand finale of the banquet was an inspiring, touching and encouraging speech by Rabbi Shalom Shapiro, Shliach in Midtown, Manhattan. Rabbi Shapiro stresses the importance of the massive Koch in Moshiach that every Shliach has to have.

The final address was delivered by Rabbi Yisroel Hershkowitz, Shliach of the Rebbe to Ofakim.

With the conclusion of the official banquet program, spontaneous Farbrengens commenced, lasting to the wee hours if the morning….

ChabadInfo captured the inspiring moments, uplifting atmosphere, gallant speeches, and Chassidishe Farbrengens throughout the event, and presents a gallery.