I just returned from an eighteen hour trip to Brooklyn where I spent some time at our annual conference. G-d willing I plan to go back after Shabbos and will join some of the main events and sessions at the conclusion of the conference.
This morning as I walked up Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights, one could literally feel Shabbat in the air. 
Bouquets of flowers were being sold by the dozen, the smell of freshly baked Challah wafted out of the bakeries, musicians were playing in various spots on the street, booths raising funds for needy families or other causes were set up outside popular stores, groups of friends could be seen having joyful reunions as they saw each other for the first time in two years, and every so often another large group of singing visiting children would march up the street adding their own unique flavor to the pre Shabbat atmosphere.
The vibes and joys of being in the middle of the heartbeat of the Chabad movement and watching and hearing the collective voices, faces and smiles of people from all over the world, were a truly refreshing experience to be a part of.
Of course in the few hours that I was there, I was only able to enjoy one or two sessions, but did enjoy many more over Zoom as I traveled. Yet even in that short time, I did manage to meet Rabbis and leaders from Iran, the UK, Russia, Israel, across the US, Argentina and so many other places.
I also had the opportunity to be on a panel discussion in my daughter's High School to answer some questions from the entire student body, and I greatly enjoyed the questions and the discussions that ensued.
I have many personal takeaways, ideas, inspiration and practical concepts that I walk away with. Yet perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from this visit, is seeing the tremendous amount of positive energy and joy that is being invested into the future of the Jewish people 
and indeed for humanity as a whole, all over the world. It also reminds me that we may be all over the world in diverse and different kinds of communities and locations, yet we are all connected to one larger whole that is alive and well and spiritually and morally vibrant and robust.
The conference is obviously much smaller this year and being held in a different format, with many programs being live streamed and done differently, as many cannot come and be there in person. Of course at the same time many precautions are being taken including testing and smaller more spread out events to ensure that the conference is wholesome physically as well as spiritually.
Tomorrow at the services, I will share a few beautiful ideas and stories that I heard at the conference and I hope you can join us to celebrate Shabbat with us. Of course I also brought along some fresh New York Challah, Babka & Herring to add to the Kiddush menu for this Shabbos.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel