6,500 Rabbis Congregate at Queens Cemetery for Global Chabad Gathering
Delegates from 110 nations prayed at the Ohel during the third day of the world's largest Jewish conference, seeking strength for their communities.
By Julian Schulz ·
More than 6,500 rabbis representing 110 countries assembled at Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights on Friday, Nov. 6. The group gathered at the Ohel, the resting place of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, for a collective prayer service. This event marked the third day of the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, recognized as the largest Jewish conference in the world.
Attendees directed their prayers toward their own families, the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and global humanity. The Ohel, located at 226-20 Francis Lewis Blvd., serves as a site for those seeking blessings and guidance. It is the most visited Jewish religious site outside of Israel, attracting approximately one million visitors annually from both Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, the director of the International Conference of Chabad Emissaries, addressed the gathering. "The shluchim are carrying the weight of the Jewish people. From facing terrorism, war-torn countries and natural disasters to everyday human struggles, they absorb it all," Kotlarsky said. He noted that the site provides the necessary strength for emissaries to return to their home communities. "But here, at the Rebbe’s resting place, they draw the strength they need to keep going, to return home and be the ones who uplift, who rebuild and give hope to millions of Jews across the globe."
Rabbi Ezra Binyomin Schochet, Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in Los Angeles, read the Pan Haklali. This collective petition was recited on behalf of Jewish communities and emissaries worldwide. The atmosphere at the gravesite reflected the attendees' dedication to their communities and the vision of the late Rebbe.
Rabbi Levi Lapidus, who directs the young professionals program at Chabad Intown in Atlanta, Georgia, shared his personal experience with the gathering. "I come to the Ohel throughout the year, but at the Kinus (International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries), I’m standing there alongside thousands of Shluchim from around the world," Lapidus said. He described the event as a moment to receive support before returning home. "We all come together to receive so we can go home and give back, and I can increase my efforts to be there for every young Jewish professional in Atlanta."
The conference continues to bring together leaders from across the globe. These emissaries, known as shluchim, operate in diverse environments ranging from regions facing conflict to established urban centers. The annual meeting serves as a central point for these religious workers to align their efforts and resources before returning to their specific assignments.
