Lee Sentell of Monroe speaks about his family’s impact by Chabad at the Chabad Conference Banquet. Photo by Itzik Roytman.
Chabad Shluchim (emissaries) gather each year for the international conference at Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn.
In addition, per the personal request of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson of blessed memory, Chabad Shluchim gather for regional conferences (usually during the summer), held at local Chabad Centers in that region.
This year, Chabad Headquarters reached out to its representatives in Orange County, Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston to host the conference in Chabad of Orange County in Monroe.
“Now that we have the space,” said Rabbi Pesach Burston, “we were honored to host this year’s regional conference.
“We are in touch and often brainstorm in tandem with many of our neighboring Chabad representatives,” Burston added, “and this was a nice way to see them in person as well.”
Sessions covered topics such as education, Jewish law, practical tips, as well as more intimate moments when shluchim shared personal stories of challenges, inspiration and how they all help each other. Beyond the specifics of the program, the overall feeling of “being as one” was simply uplifting and impactful.
Speakers at the conference included Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Rabbi Efraim Mintz of Chabad World Headquarters as well as Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, Regional Director of Chabad in Eastern New York State.
The guest address at the banquet was delivered by Columbia Professor Ari Goldman, a veteran reporter for The New York Times. Goldman lives in New York City and in Monroe. Goldman spoke about his interactions with the Rebbe, and the impact of Chabad that he has personally seen around the world as well as locally at Chabad of Orange County.
Sid Hershkowitz of Highland Mills and Lee Sentell of Monroe also spoke about the impact Chabad in Orange County has on their families.
“Monroe is known as the home of Velveeta cheese. And Chabad in Orange County is also based in Monroe,” Sentell said. “And to my family, they both have something in common: Ooey gooey goodness!”