For thousands of day school principals, Hebrew school directors,
educators, counselors, motivational speakers and their supporters across
the globe, the 23rd annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries will offer an opportunity to recharge, renew and reconnect.
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,
of righteous memory, attendees will converge upon the Crown Heights
section of Brooklyn, N.Y., for five days of workshops, networking and
inspirational discussions. This year, the conference will take place
from Jan. 26 to 31, a time period that coincides with the anniversary of
the passing of the Rebbe’s wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory.
For Nechama Shemtov, director of women’s issues and community outreach of American Friends of Lubavitch
in Washington, D.C., and one of the conference’s organizers, this
year’s theme of promoting familial harmony focuses on the varied and
profound roles that women emissaries fulfill as mothers, wives and
community leaders.
“These roles are really all interconnected,” explains Shemtov. “The
conference will be speaking to how we create a more perfect balance,
blending all of these various responsibilities in a way that reinforces
us and benefits our communities even more.”
“The title of emissary is not an appellation,” echoes Rabbi Moshe
Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational
arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. “It is earned by each and every one of these
women, who all give their lives to their communities.”
Shemtov expects a record number of attendees, pointing to the
relocation of the conference’s signature gala banquet as evidence of the
event’s phenomenal growth. Many emissaries’ friends, family members and
community supporters from back home will join them for the banquet,
which for the first time ever, will be held at the Brooklyn Armory.
Upwards of 3,000 people will likely be at the gala event.
New features at this year’s conference include a Friday afternoon
expo showcasing a plethora of Chabad-run and affiliated programs so that
emissaries can gain new ideas and materials. The agenda also includes a
rabbinic panel tackling ethical dilemmas that may arise in various
communities, and, on a sadder note, a memorial service for two
emissaries that passed away this year.
Chana Kaminetski, director of Chabad
of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, says that the conference is also an
opportunity for women in her community to connect more deeply with
Judaism.
“We bring something like 20 women from our community to the
conference,” says Kaminetski, who will speak at an adjoining program for
emissaries’ guests. “These women are so thirsty to get everything out
of their visit to Crown Heights. They really love it and feel on top of
the world while they’re here.”
Kaminetski will speak about how she and her husband, Dnepropetrovsk Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetski, arrived in the former Soviet Union 28 years ago, finding a region lacking in kosher
food and other services. In that time, local community members have
embraced their heritage, supporting a network of Jewish schools and the
construction of what is slated to be the world’s largest Jewish
community center.
Chaya Feigenson, co-director of Chabad of Sugar Land, Texas, considers the conference to be an important part of her year.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet other people in the same situation
as I am, who know what I’m going through,” she says. “It’s also where I
get more ideas for programs, spend time with friends and family, and
generally recharge my batteries.”
