The shluchim of Queens, representing 20 Chabad Houses throughout the borough, gathered together recently for their second Kinus HaShluchim at the Adria Hotel and Conference Center in Bayside.

The Kinus program included learning sessions for both shluchim and shluchos as well as a brainstorming session where shluchim were given the opportunity to share ideas and programs that have worked well for them.

The sessions were followed by a banquet that included a siyum (for the Nine Days) presented by David Yagudayev, a mekurav from Chabad of Eastern Queens. Lay leader Mr. Steven Drelich of Bayside delivered an inspiring talk about how he became connected to the Rebbe and his vision for the world.

At last year’s kinus, both Rabbi Shmuel Butman of Tzach and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky of Merkos addressed the kinus. Sadly, both are not with us this year, but the kinus was graced by the presence of their children.

Rabbi Velvel Butman spoke about his father and the unique role he played in the work of Chabad in New York.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky addressed the assembled with inspiring words about maintaining and strengthening our hiskashrus and growing the work of Chabad in Queens.

The kinus was a great success, with the participants walking away inspired and energized to continue in their shlichus with renewed strength and vigor.