Thousands Convene in New York for the Annual International Conference of Shluchim

Some 6,500 Chabad-Lubavitch representatives and their guests are convening in New York over the course of an extended weekend for the annual International Conference of Shluchim. Comingfrom 111 countries and all 50 U.S. States, some rabbis will make a 24-hour-plus trip from faraway postings in Australia, Africa and Asia. A number of attending rabbis will be on leave from duty in the IDF or the U.S. Military. As well, rabbis  leading communities rebuilding after hurricanes and floods devastated their cities will join.

The conference, which begins today, offers the rabbis an opportunity network with colleagues and explore innovative ideas for community building and leadership. Workshops and panel discussions by professionals and experts will examine themes of concern to Jewish leaders such as Artificial Intelligence, mental health, and PTSD in a post Oct. 7 world.

Above all, the five-day conference offers the rabbis a rare chance to celebrate their calling in a highly inspired setting. As they do each year, they will meet at the Ohel — the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s resting place — in Queens, NY, to pray for their communities. Capping the conference is the iconic “group photo” in front of Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, and the Gala Dinner— the largest kosher sit-down dinner in the world. 

Among the featured speakers at the Gala Dinner are Chabad-Lubavitch representative Rabbi Daniel Walker of Heaton Park Shul in Manchester, England, who helped barricade the doors during a horrific stabbing attack this past Yom Kippur, and who vowed to rebuild. Rabbi Yaakov Raskin of Chabad of Jamaica will describe the ongoing relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean island. Air Force Chaplain Rabbi Levi Pekar will join U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ben Crage to speak about the lasting impact of the Rebbe’s call to reach every Jew, wherever they may be.