In a large ceremony, Israel’s Ministry of Heritage presented the ‘Shield of Shlichus’ to three shluchim for their efforts to aid thousands of Jews stranded abroad during the War with Iran. Before a crowd of thousands, the shluchim shared their experiences, each highlighting their work as shluchim of the Rebbe.

In a moving ceremony held yesterday in Yerushalayim, with the participation of thousands, the Ministry of Heritage, under the leadership of Minister Amichai Eliyahu, paid tribute to three of the Rebbe’s shluchim around the world. These representatives, standing in for all shluchim, were honored for assisting tens of thousands of Jews who were stranded in various countries during the war with Iran, following the surprise attack.

The honored shluchim were: Rabbi Aryeh Zeev Raskin, the Rebbe’s shliach in Cyprus; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hendel, the Rebbe’s shliach in Athens; and Rabbi Yitzchok Eisenbach, the Rebbe’s shliach in Paphos, Cyprus.

At the center of the event, a film was screened in which the three shluchim described, step by step, their efforts to help the tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad during the days of the Israel–Iran War, also referred to as the “12-Day War,” which followed Israel’s surprise strike on Iran’s nuclear program.

“Twenty-seven planes landed with Israelis stranded in Cyprus,” described Rabbi Raskin. Rabbi Hendel described the moment he realized that many people were going to be stuck here for Shabbos. “We had people who never imagined they would ever set foot in Cyprus – from Neturei Karta to secular doctors,” Rabbi Eisenbach shared.

The shluchim emphasized that the driving force behind all of their work is the Rebbe. When footage of the Rebbe appeared on the screen, the thousands in attendance erupted with enthusiastic applause. “We must remember that we are not the heroes,” said Rabbi Raskin. “We are emissaries of the Rebbe of Lubavitch. We do this with great love, feeling the privilege that the Rebbe chose us to be shluchim, and we hope that we are following in his path in order to bring merit to the Jewish people.”

As the familiar strains of Rosh Chodesh Kislev nigun filled the hall, Rabbis Raskin, Hendel, and Eisenbach ascended the stage to receive the “Shield of Shlichus” from the Minister of Heritage.

Rabbi Raskin was then honored with delivering a special address, in which he paid tribute to the shluchos who tirelessly dedicate themselves alongside their husbands in every aspect of shlichus. “Our wives and our children in shlichus – they are the real heroes of tonight,” Rabbi Raskin declared, concluding his remarks with the stirring sound of a shofar blast.

“As someone who grew up his entire life with the Lubavitcher Rebbe – through my revered grandfather and father,” said Minister Eliyahu, “nothing moves me more than presenting the Shield of Shlichus to the rescuing angels of the Jewish people. They are deserving of every praise and every recognition.”

Photos: Chaim Tuito