I participated last week in the annual conference of Chabad “Shluchot” (representatives) in Brooklyn, New York, and I had a great time. 4 days of interesting workshops, inspiring speeches, stimulating discussions, and just plain fun: seeing old friends, meeting new ones, exchanging ideas, eating delicious meals and enjoying the pampering and services being offered at the conference. I met ladies from all over the world: Nepal, China, Columbia, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada, all states of America, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Ireland, UK… (I will stop now or this enumeration will turn into an Atlas of the world… there is a famous saying: wherever there is Coca-Cola, there is also Chabad… I just saw it with my own eyes! J ). The highlight of the conference was the banquet on Sunday night (this year in the Hilton of Manhattan), with thousands of women, their families and lay leaders of their communities. The energy you feel in the hall during the roll call of all countries, and then when everybody sings and dances together, is amazing. There, you see the vision the Rebbe had for his people, the care he had for each person even in the other corner of the world, and how he inspires and gives strength to all of us to carry out our mission: making this world a better place, one Mitzvah at a time.
My daughter Hanna participated in the girls’ program, along with almost 500 kids from all over the world, and she enjoyed it as well: making new friends, connecting with old ones, practicing her English (that was actually the part she least enjoyed J ), singing until she had a hoarse voice, eating kosher treats like ice cream and pizza (not exactly available in our corner of the world), going on outings, listening to stories and playing games… she told me when I picked her up after the 3-day program: “Mummy, it was a spiritual pleasure, as well as a material pleasure!”
We came back with a severe jetlag, but full of inspiration… Now we have to translate that into action!
Pictures: Gallery from the conference
Video: A moment of emotion, Nepal Shlucha remembering her best friend, Rivky from Mumbai.
Article: Emissaries resolve to persevere after Mumbai tragedy.
Watch this video of Shluchim and their families from all over the world (from November 2008). Check out the Hendels: 0:59, 2:55, 3:09.
Yosef Hammer wrote...