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Thousands of Shluchim, One Rebbe: The Gala Banquet

Thousands of Shluchim and their guests packed into the Razag Ballroom in Crown Heights for the Gala Banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim – 5787 on Motzei Shabbos Chayei Sarah • Full Story, Photos, Video

By Chabadinfo Reporter

At 7:30 p.m., the doors of the magnificent Razag Hall in Crown Heights—kan tzivah Hashem es habracha—opened, and Shluchim from around the world entered and took their seats for the International Kinus Hashluchim banquet—5787 on Motzei Shabbos Chayei Sarah.

The master of ceremonies, the Rebbe’s Shliach in New Jersey, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Carlebach, opened the event and welcomed the Rebbe’s Shluchim from every corner of the globe.

Immediately afterward, Rabbi Shlomo Ma’aisky, director of Machon L’Yahadus, was invited to recite the Rebbe’s kapital of Tehillim, concluding with the declaration of “Yechi Adoneinu.”

“We Begin with Dvar Malchus”

The program continued with a video presentation of the Rebbe’s holy sichos and farbrangens. Words spoken decades ago resonated as though they were delivered that very day, accompanied by unforgettable scenes of the Rebbe encouraging the singing of “Yechi Adoneinu” at the 5753 Kinus Hashluchim banquet.

The first speaker was the Rebbe’s Shliach in Montreal, Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Cohen, who delivered heartfelt words of inspiration, encouraging the Shluchim to carry out their Shlichus with a renewed shturem in the singular mission of “Kabbalas Pnei Moshiach Tzidkeinu B’poel Mamash.”

Following him, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hacohen Hendel, chairman of Merkaz Haolami Lekabolas Pnei Moshiach, addressed the gathering and thanked the organizers of the Kinus for their tireless dedication on behalf of the Shluchim. He then announced that all Shluchim who would undertake hachlotos tovos to increase their activities in matters of Geulah and Moshiach during the banquet would be entered into a raffle for a dollar from the Rebbe.

The surprise guest of the banquet was a special visitor from Eretz Yisroel, Dayan Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, who recounted the miracles and wonders he experienced in Gaza, as well as the spiritual awakening among IDF soldiers. His words were met with thunderous applause from the Shluchim.

Immediately afterward, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Danny Danon, addressed the Kinus. He spoke about the importance of not fearing the nations of the world, being proud of our identity as Yidden, and refusing to relinquish even a single inch of Eretz Hakodesh. Deeply moved by the occasion, the ambassador concluded by declaring that he sees himself as the Rebbe’s Shliach to the United Nations!

At that moment, the Shluchim burst into spirited dancing to the song “Utzu Eitzah V’Sufar,” accompanied by R’ Yossi Cohen and his orchestra, who energized the entire hall.

The program continued with an address by the “Tzaddik of Leningrad,” Rabbi Yitzchak Hacohen Kogan, who blessed the Shluchim with Birchas Kohanim, as instructed by the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

The master of ceremonies thanked the chassidic philanthropist Rabbi Sholom Ber Drizin, who generously and wholeheartedly stands at the side of the Shluchim.

The final speaker was Rabbi Mendel Haller, Shliach in Melbourne, Australia, who spoke passionately about the mission entrusted to us by the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach: to prepare himself and the entire world for the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, B’poel Mamash.

Rabbi Eliyahu Dovid Bornstein, the Rebbe’s Shliach to Bologna, Italy, was invited to lead the zimun for Birchas Hamazon. The event then concluded with joyous, spirited dancing, filled with faith and enthusiasm.

Production: Mendy Boaron, Master Lighting Production.

Special thanks to R’ Moishy Shmukler of Razag Hall.

Kinus photographer Dov Ber Hechtman presents the first gallery of photos: