The resilience of Jewish life amid the devastation wrought by the global coronavirus pandemic was the major theme of this year’s Kinus Grand Event, which is the virtual stand-in for the Gala Banquet that annually caps the International Kinus Hashluchim convention.
The event, which streamed live at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, highlighted the work done by Shluchim during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to meet the novel challenges brought about by the global emergency and to continue their mission to serve every Jew, a mission charged to them by the Rebbe, whose vision and leadership continues to guide us 26 years after the Rebbe’s passing.
The event opened with remarks from Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, director of the Kinus and vice chairman of Merkos, who will welcome the viewers from around the world.
The event highlighted the dedication of Shluchim from around the world during challenging times, including a story of hope featuring Rabbi Mendel Cohen of Mariupol, Ukraine and the Wolff family of Hanover, Germany. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos, spoke as well. Dvar Torah was given by Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum of Pittsburgh, PA.
Musical Entertainment was by Avremi G., Band led by Nochi Krohn, and featured singing sensation Eli Marcus.
The event included an address by attorney Nathan Lewin, whose decades-long effort to defend the right to place the menorah in the public sphere is perhaps more relevant now than ever amid rising anti-Semitism and the reality that for many, this Chanukah, the only way to safely celebrate in the company of others will be outdoors.
The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, who directs Chabad of Belgravia in London and authored a number of works exploring the Rebbe’s approach, including Seeds of Wisdom I and II, A Time to Heal, and most recently, Positivity Bias.
A poignant and painful note was when the more than 1,200 Jewish victims of the pandemic were remembered, with prayerful wishes that the world should know no more pain.
A highlight of the annual Banquet was the Roll Call, led by Rabbi Kotlarsky, which highlights the expansion of the network of Shluchim around the world and celebrates the opening of centers in new countries and territories. It was especially poignant this year with the addition of more than 100 new rabbinic couples in scores of new Chabad centers around the world.
The Grand Event was produced by the executive Vaad haKinus in conjunction with creative director Shlomo Chaim Rivkin and content director Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum.
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