The 23rd annual Long Island Kinus HaShluchim was held at the new Chabad House in Commack, with a record 47 Shluchim attending from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The program was prepared with the newly elected Vaad HaShluchim of Long Island and hosted by Rabbi Mendy and Brocha Teldon. Olga’s Gourmet, Long Island Chabad’s in-house caterer, provided the meals.

The Kinus opened in the Shluchim Lounge, where each Shliach received a certificate covering half the cost of bedikas tefillin during the coming year.

Nine shluchim then shared practical advice and firsthand experience from their work in their communities. The speakers were Rabbi Mendy Brownstein, Rabbi Shaya Hurwitz, Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel, Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Rabbi Mendy Goldberg, Rabbi Aizik Baumgarten, Rabbi Yaakov Wilansky, Rabbi Shloime Naparstek and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Raskin. Rabbi Shmuel Lipszyc served as emcee.

For the first time, separate roundtables were held for the Nassau and Suffolk shluchim, allowing each group to address issues specific to its region. The Suffolk shluchim agreed to establish a Suffolk Rabbinical Alliance and create a supporting website. The Nassau shluchim discussed challenges affecting their communities and opportunities for greater cooperation and joint programming.

Following Mincha and the official photo, the banquet opened with a JEM video on shlichus. Rabbi Yanki Reiter made a siyum in memory of his wife, Devorah Leah a”h.

Three new shluchim were welcomed to Long Island: Rabbi Mendel Kramer of Merrick, Rabbi Mendel Sorkin of Water Mill, and Rabbi Leivi Sudak of Mineola. Each spoke about his community and current work.

Rabbi Kasriel Kastel spoke on behalf of the Vaad of Tzach. Rabbi Tuvia Teldon, Head Shliach of Long Island, addressed the need to continually redefine success and the privilege and responsibility of serving in the Rebbe’s army. Rabbi Shalom Lipszyc served as emcee for the banquet.

Rabbi Mendel Rubin of Albany delivered the main address, presenting an original perspective on shlichus, before leading a farbrengen that continued late into the night.