Reach every Jew, everywhere, Chabad emissaries urged

South African Rabbi Oshy Deren was chosen out of 6 500 Chabad rabbis and lay leaders who attended the 41st International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries (shluchim) in New York last week, to deliver the conference’s Torah insights.

Deren, of Chabad of the West Coast in Cape Town, was one of 15 Chabad rabbis from South Africa who attended this annual event. South Africa was one of 110 countries represented.

The conference, held in Edison, New Jersey, concluded with a moving closing ceremony, celebrating the vast tapestry of Jewish life worldwide and reaffirming Chabad’s unwavering commitment to reach every Jew, everywhere, no matter the obstacles.

This year’s gathering took on new meaning, taking place just a week after the horrific murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a devoted shaliach in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ceremony commenced with a heartfelt tribute to Kogan. Rabbi Levi Duchman, the chief rabbi of the UAE and director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the UAE, addressed the assembly.

Despite the heartbreak, Duchman and his colleagues expressed commitment to continue their vital work. “That’s what Zvi would have wanted,” affirmed Rabbi Yehuda Marasow, a Chabad shaliach in Abu Dhabi. “We are all now tasked with carrying forward his mission.”

In a touching display of solidarity, the conference connected live with Kogan’s family in Jerusalem, who were in mourning. Thousands stood together, sharing traditional words of comfort, demonstrating unity and support for the grieving family.

The conference also honoured the life of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, who spearheaded the Kinnus for the past four decades and dedicated his life to actualising the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s, vision. His son, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, who recently undertook his father’s role as director of the conference, took the stage in his father’s place.

“My father always reiterated the Rebbe’s call to reach out to those who might seem beyond our reach,” said Kotlarsky. “Take a moment to think of one more person in your life – a neighbour, a colleague – someone others might deem impossible to connect with, and take action.”

He highlighted one of his father’s final initiatives: a campaign to inspire 120 million mitzvot. To achieve this ambitious goal, they launched OneMitzvah.org, a platform designed to encourage everyone to involve friends and family in acts of kindness. “Engage your network because that’s how we’ll make a real impact and usher in an era of peace and redemption,” he said.

Rabbi Yehoshua Soudakoff, shaliach to the Jewish deaf community, addressed the assembly in American Sign Language. His speech was simultaneously translated for all to understand.

“For a deaf person, finding a place within the community can be challenging,” Soudakoff said. “But we’re here to change that narrative.”

He shared personal anecdotes about the isolation many deaf individuals felt within the broader Jewish community, and emphasised the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

“Our mission is to ensure that every Jew, regardless of ability, feels a sense of belonging,” he said. “Let’s continue our sacred work to reach every single one of them and inspire them, just as I was once inspired.”

A video presentation highlighted Chabad’s work on Israel’s frontlines. Rabbi Gershon Shnur of Chabad of Ganei Tikvah spoke about serving as a shaliach while fulfilling his duties as an army reservist. Rabbi Shalom Ber Hertzel, serving in Israel’s far north since recent conflicts began, discussed the nation’s challenges and his role in providing spiritual support.

After the presentation, Shnur and Hertzel led the assembly in a heartfelt recitation of tehillim, praying for peace and protection for the people of Israel.

A beautiful song dedicated to the shluchim and the theme of the night of Lech Lecha was composed by songwriter and singer Shmuel Marcus, which he sang together with Eli Marcus and Zalman Rosenfeld, a young shaliach from Aventura, Florida,

The annual ceremony highlighting Chabad’s international reach took on a new multilingual twist as shluchim representing different regions were welcomed in their local tongue.

Each shaliach shared updates on their outreach efforts, emphasising the collective impact of Chabad’s global network. The iconic roll call served as a testament to the movement’s expansive reach, touching lives in communities large and small across the globe.

The chief rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Ber, reiterated his support for the shluchim’s mission and emphasised the collective responsibility to fill the void left by Kogan’s passing. “We are now all shluchim,” he declared.

As the evening drew to a close, music filled the room as the shluchim danced joyously. The attendees departed with renewed commitment to return to their communities and make an even greater impact. The message was clear: despite challenges, the dedication to reach every Jew, everywhere, remains unshaken.