Kinus Hashluchos

Kinus Hashluchos is an annual gathering of the Rebbe's female shluchos (emissaries) from around the world, held each year near 22 Shevat, the yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife. The convention has been held since 5751 (1991) at the Chabad World Headquarters - 770 in New York, with the goal of strengthening the shluchos' connection with the Rebbe and to consult and discuss issues that the shluchos face in their shlichus work through various workshops, lectures, and meetings.

History

The first Worldwide Kinus Hashluchos was held in 5751 (1991), when on Sunday, 26 Shevat 5751, the Rebbe himself participated in the convention by delivering a special sicha to the shluchos. The Rebbe entered the large beis midrash at 770 at noon to deliver the sicha, after which the Rebbe distributed money for tzedakah to the shluchos.

Part of this sicha was published in the "Kovetz 22 Shevat" which was distributed by the Rebbe on 22 Shevat 5752 (1992), containing sichos and letters about the virtues of Jewish women and girls in our generation. The kuntres was distributed by the Rebbe to approximately ten thousand men, women, and children with his holy hand.

In 5753 (1993), the shluchos merited to pass before the Rebbe and also that the Rebbe came out to participate in the banquet: On 23 Shevat 5753, after Mincha prayers, the shluchos (as well as shluchim and guests) who came to the Rebbe's court for 22 Shevat passed by the Rebbe near his holy room. The "yechidus" lasted about half an hour with the Rebbe looking at all the shluchos. In the evening, the "banquet" took place with hundreds of shluchos gathering in Beis Rabbeinu SheBeBavel - Beis Moshiach. The convention was hosted by Rebbetzin Garelik from Milan. During the convention, the Rebbe came out to the balcony, and before the Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Weinberg wished the Rebbe long life and good years and that he would lead us upright to our land with the true and complete redemption, to which the shluchos answered "Amen." Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gutnick blessed the Rebbe with the priestly blessing and concluded with the proclamation "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed," and finally the men who watched the event from the women's section sang "Yechi Adoneinu" as the Rebbe encouraged the singing with movements of his holy head.

Annual Kinus Hashluchos

The convention is intended for women who serve as the Rebbe's shluchos around the world and is held annually at the Chabad World Headquarters 770 and in the Crown Heights neighborhood, in a format similar to the Worldwide Kinus Hashluchim intended for male shluchim. The convention is organized by Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, which is responsible for all activities of hafatzas hamaayanos of Chabad Chassidus and coordinates the worldwide shlichus enterprise.

The shluchos participate in gatherings, lectures, workshops, and farbrengens that take place over about five days in proximity to 22 Shevat, the day of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife. The shluchos strengthen themselves and receive tools for shlichus work in developing and flourishing Chabad houses and Jewish communities where they serve on shlichus. Among the programs at the convention, a group picture is taken in front of the famous 770 building. At the end of the convention, a concluding "banquet" is held in which all the shluchos participate. One of the special moments at the banquet is the 'roll call,' where the shluchos stand up according to the announcement of the host who calls out their place of shlichus.

Since the Rebbe announced to his shluchim in 5752 that "the work of shlichus has been completed... the only thing that remains in the work of shlichus is to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu in actual reality," the topics of geulah and Moshiach receive special emphasis at the convention.

Parallel to the women's convention, a convention is also held for the daughters of shluchim from around the world, with age-appropriate programs during the days of the convention.

In addition, throughout the year, regional conventions of the Rebbe's shluchos are held around the world by continents, countries, and cities.