International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchos Begins Wednesday

(Lubavitch.com) The International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchos begins Wednesday evening at Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn. 

Now in its 21st year, the Conference organizers anticipate 2500 women will attend, the majority of them Chabad representatives of Jewish communities in some 70 countries worldwide. The theme of this year’s conference is Jewish unity.

Scheduled to correspond to 22 Shvat, commemorating the yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, the wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, 

This Conference will be the first opportunity for Chabad women representatives to convene following the Mumbai massacre and the murder of their colleague, Rivki Holtzberg. 

“I am certain that the Shluchos (women representatives) are coming to this conference with a desire to bond, to remember Rivki and take inspiration from her extraordinary life as a Chabad representative,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Director of the International Conferences of Chabad Shluchim and Shluchos. 

Lectures, symposia and workshops, as well as one-on-one mentoring opportunities will be packed back to back over the five-day conference. New ideas in all areas of programming, for every segment of the population—from children to senior citizens—will be presented. Other sessions will explore constructive ways to address the various challenges Chabad representatives encounter in their outreach activities, such as how to raise children on a college campus; the unique difficulties of life for Chabad representatives in outposts like Russia; ideas for successful fundraising in a tough economic climate. The conference will also provide serious study opportunities of selected Torah texts, and comprehensive reviews of Jewish law as it affects all aspects of daily life. 

The Conference also features a parallel program for lay leaders who will be joining their Chabad representatives; for post-seminary girls currently interning in Chabad communities; and for the teenage daughters of Chabad representatives. 

The conference closes Sunday night with a gala banquet dinner at the New York Hilton, where Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of the international Chabad-Lubavitch educational and social services divisions,  will speak to the Conference. The keynote, Mrs. Fruma Posner, Chabad representative of Birmingham, Alabama, will speak to the conference theme. Renowned storyteller and author, Devorah Telushkin will present the guest address. 

The convention will run from Wednesday evening, February 11th until Monday morning, February 16th.