Dear Friends,
I am back in Sudbury for Shabbos after spending an incredible 36 hours at part of the International Conference of Chabad Shluchim from around the world.
Meeting hundreds of friends and colleagues from around the world, hearing their stories, anecdotes, challenges and heart to heart to talks, has been uplifting, deep and inspiring.
Hearing the Rabbi from Manchester speak about the terrorist attack on his community on Yom Kippur and what has happened since left you speechless. Talking to friends from Israel who are rallying their communities, often serving in the IDF at the same time, and hearing about family members and friends with PDF, was hard to process.
Listening to the Rabbi from Uganda talk about their challenges and powerful moments, or a Rabbis from Russia and Ukraine, or from Mobile, Alabama, all left their mark.
Seeing my sons, chatting or studying late at night, attending soulful and inspiring gatherings with peers, and so many incredible workshops, were all truly amazing moments.
This morning the air of Shabbat was on the street, as flower stores were setup on so many corners, the bakeries poured out tons of Challah, joyful meetups were happening all over the street, and then thousands of us, went together to the Rebbe's resting place for a powerful hour of melodies, unity, solemness, as we prayed to G-d almighty, and thought about the vision and hopes of the Rebbe, who emboldened a movement to spread throughout the world to be a force of goodness, light and so much more!
Happy to share more at the Kiddush at services at Chabad tomorrow and looking forward to sharing much more next week from the Grand Finale on Saturday night and Sunday!
So yes, lots has been happening in NY lately, the positive energy is actually epic!!
Am Yisrael Chai
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel