100 UK Shluchim Gather for Annual Kinus
More than 112 shluchim from communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gathered this week for the annual Kinus Hashluchim of Chabad Lubavitch UK, two days dedicated to Torah learning, professional development and strengthening shlichus throughout the United Kingdom.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveMore than 112 shluchim from communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gathered this week for the annual Kinus Hashluchim of Chabad Lubavitch UK, two days dedicated to Torah learning, professional development and strengthening shlichus throughout the United Kingdom.
The Kinus brought together Shluchim serving communities of every size, offering an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another and address the opportunities and challenges facing Jewish life across the country.
This year’s programme reflected the ever-expanding role of today’s shliach. Alongside shiurim in Torah and practical halachah, Shluchim participated in workshops on artificial intelligence, charity governance, fundraising, campus outreach, CTeen, chinuch and the day-to-day running of a Chabad House, presented by leading international experts, including Rabbi Mendy Sishler of AI for Shlichus and Rabbi Menachem Kahn of Vaad Mishmeres Stam. In response to the continuing security challenges facing Jewish communities, all participants also received Counter Terrorism Awareness and Protective Security training delivered by officers from the Metropolitan Police.
A highlight of the Kinus was the participation of Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, who addressed the gala dinner and spoke about the opportunities facing shlichus in an ever-changing world. Delegates also heard from Benjamin (Ben) Zaoui, a Director at Barclays Investment Bank, who shared his personal journey and described the impact Chabad had made on his Jewish life.
The gala dinner also featured presentations from UK shluchim highlighting successful initiatives from around the country. Rabbi Yehuda Pink of Solihull introduced the new Chabad Lubavitch UK Tefillin Bank, a nationwide initiative to ensure that every Jewish man wishing to put on tefillin can access a kosher pair regardless of financial circumstances.
One of the most memorable moments of the Kinus came late on Monday night, when Rabbi Yehudah Tiechtel of Berlin led a farbrengen that continued until 6:00 a.m. Despite the short night, by 8:00 a.m. the shluchim had already reconvened for a shiur Chassidus before Shacharis, delivered by Rabbi Yoinason Golomb.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a recurring theme throughout the conference, with sessions exploring how new technologies can help shluchim streamline administration, improve communication and strengthen their mosdos. Other workshops focused on practical halachic questions encountered in daily shlichus, maintaining the highest standards in STaM, educational leadership, campus work and engaging Jewish teenagers through CTeen.
“People often see the public face of a shliach, but behind the scenes every Chabad House is also a charity, an educational organisation and a hub of community life,” said Rabbi Yehuda Pink, a Trustee of Chabad Lubavitch UK and organiser of the Kinus.
“A shliach today is expected to be a rabbi, educator, counsellor, fundraiser and community leader, often all in the same day. The Kinus is about ensuring that every shliach returns home with new ideas, practical tools and the support of colleagues from across the country, ready to strengthen their community.”
Beyond the formal programme, the Kinus provided countless opportunities for shluchim to reconnect with friends, discuss shared challenges and exchange ideas that will benefit communities throughout the UK.
As the Kinus concluded, the shluchim returned to their respective communities with renewed energy and practical tools to continue expanding the Rebbe’s work across the United Kingdom.
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