Kids Enjoy Own Banquet

72 hours of fun, farbrenging, and good times, climaxed at the Kinnus Tzeirei Hashluchim Banquet Sunday night in Crown Heights. Over 650 young Shluchim filed into the Rosa Ballroom and a most magnificent site greeted them.

The hall had been completely renovated to display the theme of the evening, and what these young troopers do all year round: Lamplighters.

The hall was decorated in three sections to represent the three settings a lamplighter needs to work in; At sea, in the midst of the desert, and on the city streets. Each table had lanterns, which coupled with the dimmed lights a warm glow of Shluchim sitting together pervaded the room.

The event opened with a video footage of dozens of young shluchim welcoming their fellows, in their respective languages, followed by the niggun of Tzomo Lecho Nafshi. The Tzeirei Hashluchim watched the Rebbe sing it and then joined in a most emotional moment.

As a sumptuous dinner was served, the Head counselors spoke passionately about the incredible nature of the evening, and encouraging each Shliach to use the electricity to keep him powered all year long.

A special guest appearance by Rabbi Itche Kadoozy over “Live Hookup” was a real treat, as he explained the theme of the evening, in his unique and funny way.

Camper Mendy Lieblech of Wilmington, NC was introduced to represent all the young Shluchim and he watched proudly on stage as his pre-recorded remarks were aired.

The undisputed highlight of the evening was the roll call, as each of the over 100 countries and states were enumerated. Each shliach shone a small light in his hand when his location was called, and at the end of the roll-call the entire room was filled with light! The Shluchim joined hands, as a spirited dance began, and the room was charged with unbridled joy.

The evening drew to a close as prizes, raffles, and awards were given out for to the young Shluchim, and most notably, one young lucky Shliach, won the draw for a free winter camp stay at the “Shluchim’s Winter Camp” in Arizona.
Throughout the evening Benny Friedman led a number of camp songs, and following the culmination of the banquet, sang lively niggunim for hours into the night.

The feeling of pride and was tangible in the air as the young Shluchim collected their belongings and returned home, looking forward to the Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim and its Banquet next year hopefully in Yerushalayim reunited with the Meshaleiach!

A tremendous thanks to Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Rabbi Shneur Nejar of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, Rabbi Gedalya and Moishy Shemtov, Rabbi Moshe Pinson, Rabbi Sholom Katz – director of the kids kinus and the entire Shluchim Office staff for coordinating this vital Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim year after year.

Special thanks to the banquet committee of dedicated individuals, who volunteered their time and energy working tirelessly, for the last few months: Bentzion Shemtov, Koppel Chaiton, Levi Freedman, and Rabbi Mendy Lachkar.

Much thanks as well to CJ Studios, Beis Rivka, Nachman Taub, Dovid Taub, and Fitche Beshimon.

Video: CJ Studios

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Photos: Mendel Mish/COLlive