The yearly highlight of the five-day Shluchim convention is the gala banquet. On Sunday night, 2000 of the Shluchim, their supporters and friends gathered for the banquet at the Brooklyn Marriot hotel.

The banquet was truly magnificent and the evening will be remembered for a long time. Eight large video screens and numerous speakers were strategically placed around the enormous 18,000 square feet hall. Despite being the second largest hall in New York City, there was still standing room only and a suggestion made by some, was that next years banquet take place in the Javitz Center, with the help of G-D, in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Lipa Brennan a member of the convention presidium introduced the evenings M.C. - Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky of Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch and a member of the convention presidium as well. Kotlarsky welcomed the 1485 Shluchim, and all assemled to the annual banquet.

The banquet began with everyone rising from their places and reciting the Rebbe's Kapitel - 100 verse by verse. Rabbi Levi Sudak from the United Kingdom led the recitation of the Rebbe's Kapitel.

Afterward, Rabbi Victor Atyah of Kiryat Arba, Eretz Yisroel led all assembled with a Kapitel Tehillim for the safety & security of our brethern in Eretz Yisroel.

Atyah was followed by Rabbi Shmaya Katz from Battery Park, NY who recited the special Tefilla composed by the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Rabbi Kotlarsky then welcomed Argentina President Fernando de la Rua. The President shares a close friendship with the President of Lubavitch in Argentina, Mr.Eduardo Elsztain. The crowd greeted President de la Rua with a standing ovation. The President, who had met earlier with all the Shluchim from Argentina, briefly addressed the crowd wishing the Shluchim much Hatzlocha.

Next came a Dvar Torah, delivered by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hendel whom along with his wife went out on Shlichus to Athens, Greece nine months ago. Hendel also gave a brief report on the Chabad activities currently going on in Greece. He related that at his birthday party this past summer, a Baal Habus gave him, his best birthday present ever. The Baal Habus told Rabbi Hendel that he bought a pair of Tefillin and would now begin to put them on daily.

Rabbi Hendel was followed with words of greeting from Mr. Alvin Gordon from Memphis, TN. Gordon is the President of the board of directors of Chabad Lubavitch of Tennessee and became frum because of an encounter with the Rebbe many years ago.

Mr. Gordon spoke in glowing terms of the first time he visited 770 on Shmenee Atzeres. When Gordon went by the Rebbe for Kos Shel Brocha, the Rebbe asked him "What are you doing for Torah Judaism in Memphis, TN?" and it was those 10 words that changed my life. Gordon went on to recount how he went back to Memphis and began a Sunday morning Torah class. He also spoke of the long struggle to bring Lubavitch to Memphis and how happy he was that 7 year's ago Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Klein came to open a Chabad House.

Before concluding his remarks Gordon shared some brief, beautiful experiences he had with Shluchim in Nice, France & Brazil.

The next part of the program was a presentation by the "Yaldei HaShluchim". Yossi Shapiro who came all the way from Sydney, Australia introduced his fellow Yaldei HaShluchim.

When he was finished, 350 children k"ah, wearing t-shirts imprinted with the Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch logo on the front marched into the hall in a very orderly fashion along with their dedicated staff, while singing "From 770.....Shluchay Adonaynu". In addition representatives of the children carried in the flags of their respective country, and in the case of the ones from the USA, they carried their individual states flag. Once standing in their places the children sang a couple of songs. Thunderous applause from their parents and all assembled followed their performance.

A roll call of all the Shluchim was next. Prior to the roll call the M.C. publicly thanked the Rohr family, Shmuel & George Rohr for all they do for Chabad. The announcement was followed with a standing ovation for Mr. George Rohr who was present at the banquet.

During the roll call, when a country or state was called out, the Shluchim present from that particular country or state stood up and held a white napkin.

Another roll call, this one done by years that the Shluchim left on their Shlichus followed. The M.C.'s voice boomed, will the Shluchim that went out in the 40's please rise, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and since 1994. With everyone standing spirited singing and dancing broke out with both big and small circles forming all around the hall. During the dancing the Yaldei HaShluchim who were present for the roll call were hoisted unto the shoulders of the Shluchim and Baale Batim. The dancing continued for about 10 minutes.

Following the main course, Rabbi Kotlarsky solemnly made mention of the Shluchim who passed away this past year. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Shusterman, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gordon, Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Kagan and Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Lipsker.

Kotlarsky also made mention of the Rebbe's Chief secretary, Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov OBM and continued by wishing Rebbetzin Etel Hodakov long healthy years and nachas from her family.

The roll call was followed with the keynote address delivered powerfully, yet eloquently by Rabbi Heshy Epstein - Columbia, SC. Rabbi Epstein spoke about how the Kinnus is a source of great inspiration for the Shluchim. However, after the Kinnus there are still other sources of inspiration for the Shliach throughout the year, amongst them the following.

* The Baalei Batim and the nachas they give Shluchim, especially those that continue in the ways of their mentors, following in their path fulfilling the Rebbe's Shlichus. Epstein said "the ones we seek to inspire, often turn out to be the source of inspiration to us."

* The Shluchim's children and their Chinuch. How important it is for every Shliach to see that his child gets the proper chinuch, even if it means sending them away from home for a long period of time. Rabbi Epstein also mentioned a special thanks to the Mechanchim, that give special attention to these young Shluchim.

* The Shluchim that have gone out on Shlichus since Gimmel Tammuz. Although they do not have a direct command from the Rebbe pertaining to their Shlichus, and day to day directives, they have nevertheless shown

that they can be as devoted and dedicated to their goal, just as, if not more than, the older and experienced Shluchim.

Rabbi Epstein concluded his speech by talking about the current situation in America and the world over, and the lesson that can be learned from it all. Namely, that the only way to fight terrorism and darkness is by making the world lighter and a better place, and that is the true Shlichus of ever Jew.

Rabbi Epsteins received a standing ovation after his speech.

A video presentation produced by Jewish Educational Media was shown for the very first time. The new video titled "Pioneers" was all about the history of Chabad in Eretz Yisroel and all the current activities, programs being run by Chabad Lubavitch Institutions throughout the country.

The Shluchim left the banquet & the Kinnus heading back to their respective cities, states and countries recharged, uplifted and inspired, to continue their Shlichus with added strength and vigor and to prepare themselves and the world at large to welcome our righteous Moshiach speedily in our days, amen!

174 SNS exclusive pictures of the banquet are available by CLICKING HERE