Dozens of Shluchim from around the world gathered in the Kosel Tunnels for a special reception ahead of Gimmel Tammuz, joined by Israel’s chief rabbis and public officials. During the event, a newly published commemorative album highlighting the Rebbe’s connection to the Kosel was unveiled.

In preparation for the holy day of Gimmel Tammuz, a festive reception was held on Thursday for dozens of the Rebbe’s Shluchim who arrived from around the globe at the initiative of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Tzeirei Agudas Chabad, headed by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov. The Shluchim traveled to Eretz Yisroel to participate in the central preparation event, “Veharikosi,” taking place on Thursday at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim.

In addition, the Shluchim will visit Chabad communities, institutions, and gatherings throughout Eretz Yisroel as part of the preparations leading up to Gimmel Tammuz.

The reception, organized by Tzeirei Agudas Chabad, was held in the elegant hall of the Kosel Tunnels adjacent to the site of the Kodesh HaKodashim. It served as the opening event of the day’s program, which continues with the “Veharikosi” gathering and concludes with a special tefillah and niggunim program at the Kosel Plaza.

Addressing the gathering, the Rishon L’Tzion and Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, spoke movingly about the Rebbe’s enduring influence.

“Ordinarily, the nature of the world is decline,” he said. “Even the greatest leaders are gradually forgotten over time. Yet with the Rebbe, we witness a remarkable phenomenon: year after year, his impact and influence continue to grow throughout the world.”

Rabbi Amar also elaborated on Mivtza Tefillin, one of the Rebbe’s Ten Mivtzoim.

“The Rebbe chose tefillin because they symbolize elevating oneself from below to above, subordinating the mind and heart to Hashem,” he said. “Through this, the Rebbe sought to uplift all of Klal Yisroel. We see clearly that everything the Rebbe planted continues to flourish many times over.”

The host of the event, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rav of the Kosel and Mekomos Hakedoshim, spoke about the Rebbe’s deep and longstanding connection to the Kosel. During his remarks, he unveiled a newly published commemorative album produced by the Kosel Heritage Foundation in honor of the gathering.

The album contains a rare collection of the Rebbe’s instructions, correspondence, and initiatives relating to the Kosel, together with historical photographs and documentation of the activities of the Chabad House at the Kosel, led with dedication by Rabbi Yosef Halperin.

Israeli Knesset member Rabbi Meir Porush warmly praised Rabbi Aharonov for bringing Shluchim from around the world to strengthen communities throughout the Holy Land.

Addressing the Shluchim, he remarked, “The Rebbe left the ‘Sefer HaShluchim’ on his desk because the Shluchim were what mattered most to him, and we continue to see that reality to this day.”

Rabbi Porush also paid tribute to the late Rabbi Chaim Sholom Segal, one of the pioneers of the tefillin stands at the Kosel, following the Rebbe’s call to action.

Also participating was Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Kalman Ber, who offered words of encouragement to the Shluchim in their sacred mission of bringing fellow Yidden closer to Yiddishkeit.

Following the formal program, the Shluchim were treated to a special guided tour through the depths of the Kosel Tunnels led by Kosel Heritage Foundation Director General Mordechai (“Suli”) Eliav. The tour took participants through layers of Jewish history and served as a fitting preparation for the central tefillah gathering later that evening at the Kosel.

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