NEW YORK—As the world marked the 36th anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory, on 22 Shevat (Thursday, Feb. 1), thousands of Jewish women leaders from around the world converged in New York at the opening of the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries (Kinus Hashluchot), an annual event aimed at strengthening global Jewish awareness and practice.
This year's conference began with a prayerful visit to the Ohel, the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory; his wife, the Rebbetzin; and her father, the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.
Before entering the Ohel, conference goers came together to hear words of inspiration from their colleagues and a video of the Rebbe was aired.
Many conference participants brought prayer petitions with them from their far-flung communities to leave at the resting place and prayers could be heard in the many languages spoken by the some 3,000 conference attendees, hailing from as far away as Melbourne, Australia and Accra, Ghana.
With Israel at war in Gaza and the barbaric attacks on Simchat Torah not far from anyone’s minds, a delegation from the over 1,400 emissaries serving communities in Israel bore the prayers of a nation at war, and led the reciting of selected Psalms by the Rebbetzin’s resting place.
"This year's conference comes when the Jewish people worldwide, especially in Israel, are experiencing tremendous upheaval. The Shluchos have been on the frontlines, addressing the physical and emotional challenges of their communities nonstop," said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chairman of the International Conference of Shluchos and Vice-Chairman of Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. "The conference begins with a visit to the Ohel where the inspiration infused them with renewed strength to continue their critical mission.”
After their trip to the Ohel, conference participants returned to Crown Heights to partake in the more than 30 workshops on a kaleidoscope of contemporary issues held in various locations before joining together for a dinner and welcome session at the Bedford Armory.
The iconic “class picture” is scheduled to take place outside of Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway on Friday, leading into a Shabbat of inspiration and connection.
The conference will be capped with the grand gala banquet on Sunday, where close to 4,000 people are expected to attend in person and countless more around the world viewing the banquet which will be broadcast live on Chabad.org
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