Shluchim from across Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries in the Former Soviet Union gathered for a four-day regional Kinus, with the highlight being davening at the Ohel of Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson on the day of his yahrzeit.
Photos: Yehezkel Itkin
The feelings of unity and brotherhood where palpable in Kazakhstan this past week. Hundreds of shluchim, from communities in fifteen countries of the Former Soviet Union, had gathered for four days for a reginal Kinus Hashluchim in Alma Ata, the city where the Rebbe‘s father is buried. The four days and nights of the program were fully packed with davening, learning, shiurim, farbrengens and workshops.
The Kinus took place at an elegant hotel in the center of the Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis Alma Ata, beginning Thursday, the 20th of Menachem Av, the 77th yahrzeit of the mekubal Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson zt”l, father of the Rebbe. Thirty years ago the Rebbe had sent out a handful of young men to these countries, and thanks to his influence and blessings, YIddishkeit has seen a tremendous revival, with hundreds of his shluchim today serving in these countries.
The kinus was opened at the holy Ohel of Harav Levi Yitzchok in the Jewish cemetery, by Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, who initiated and spearheaded this event, together with Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and Chairman of the Kinus HaShluchim, Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan and host of the Kinnus Rabbi Yeshayahu Elazar Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Dniepro Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, and philanthropist Reb Avraham Shaulson, the sponsor of the Kinus. Gathering with them to daven at the tziyun of the ba’al hilula were hundreds of shluchim who serve communities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the surrounding countries.
During the Kinus, a letter from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym- Jomart Tokayev was read, in which he expressed his gratitude to the Rabbis for gathering in Kazakhstan, at the holy resting place of the tzaddik, and sent his blessing to all his citizens.
Almaty’s police forces secured the hotel for the entire duration of the Kinus, out of respect and appreciation to the Chabad Shluchim in Kazakhstan whose activities and influence extend to many large cities, and reach thousands of Jews throughout the country.
The hundreds of participants thanked the kinnus organizers, the Ohr Avner Foundation, who have worked on this for many months, investing days and nights together with “Fleishman – Peles Productions” into making this kinus the smashing success that it was.
VIDEO: Kinus Recap
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