In a luminous display of welcome, multicolored lights flashed at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center on Sunday evening, February 23. That evening, the Expo Center played host to over 4,000 worldwide Chabad shluchot for their largest live global gathering as they joined together following a five day kinnus.

Once inside, guests were greeted with a multi-colored light show, in which 13 giant monitors encircled the dining area, showing simultaneous yet assorted views of the main stage and the arena. If you watched long enough, you would get a tour of the entire room in a minute or less, and probably see yourself at least once.

“This year’s conference comes at a time when Jewish people worldwide are experiencing unprecedented challenges. As the global Jewish support system, shluchot have been on the front lines, addressing the needs of their communities nonstop,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, director of the International Conference of Shluchos. “The conference serves as a source of energy infusing them with new strength to continue their critical mission.

“There are shluchot serving in places that, generations ago, no one could have imagined having a Jewish presence. It means that wherever there is a Jew, there is a home. But this isn’t just about numbers; it’s about impact. Every country represented here means a Jewish mother lighting Shabbat candles where there may not have been any. It means a child learning Aleph Beis for the first time, a teenager finding a safe space, a struggling couple reconnecting to their heritage. The Rebbe’s vision, ‘that no Jew should ever feel alone,’ is being lived and realized in real-time, every single day.”

Elisheva Martinetti, born in Jixi, China not far from Siberia, was the keynote speaker. At the age of 11, her mother decided to share a book about Judaism and surprisingly revealed that she was Jewish. Martinetti became interested as well and at 15, her mother sent her to Singapore to learn about authentic Judaism. She studied in a Chabad center, greatly benefiting from the shluchot there. She later attended seminary in Israel, always knowing that she wanted to carry the torch of shlichut herself. Martinetti, her husband and children now serve in Milan, Italy. Her tearful gratitude filled the room as she detailed her life journey, current work and appreciation for the loving influence of the shluchot in her life.

In a live interview during the dinner, Zisi Cunin described the experience in her Pacific Palisades community of California, which was decimated by the devastating wildfires. Knowing the importance of reopening the Chabad preschool as soon as possible, Divine Providence led her husband to someone who knew of a vacant school building. “We got in full gear with our maintenance staff, cleaned it up, painted it, got new furniture and opened up in five days.”

Another highlight of the banquet was Rebbetzin Kotlarsky’s l’chaim to the shluchot. Her husband, the late Rabbi Moshe Kotlarksy, zt”l, served as the previous director of the kinus. She addressed the group at length, speaking from the heart and lauding her admiration and appreciation upon the shluchot for all they do. She then raised her glass, bestowing abundant brachot for their good health, safety success, long life and shalom for Klal Yisrael; and recited the bracha on wine which was followed by a resounding “Amen,” 4,000 voices strong.

The love and achdut in the room was palpable as Michal Wexilshtein from Chabad of Hadera, Israel, introduced four mothers of hostages. She led the thousands of mothers, daughters, sisters and wives present in unified prayer for the safe return of every kidnapped Jew to the safety and warm embrace of their families.

Upon entering, every participant had received a wireless LED bracelet that lit up in unison with one of seven possible colors at various times during the program. When everyone joined in Tehillim on behalf of the Bibas family, there was a heart-stopping moment in which 4,000 bracelets lit up in bright orange.

Rabbi Kotlarsky shared what inspires him about shlichut programing. “Knowing that this is just the beginning. That every shlucha who stands up at the kinus, who walks back into her community with renewed energy, is changing Jewish history. As long as there is one Jew who hasn’t yet been reached, we still have a mission to fulfill.

“The Rebbe taught us: Don’t slow down. Don’t stop. Keep going. Keep building. Until every Jew knows they belong. Until every Jewish home is filled with light. Until the world is ready for Moshiach.”

Commenting on the overall mission of the conference, Rabbi Kotlarksy continued, “The kinus isn’t just an annual gathering. It’s a lifeline. The mission is twofold: To give strength, as the kinus is the one time a year where she gets to pause, recharge and be supported—and to focus forward. Shlichut is about expansion. This year, we’re launching major initiatives—expanding CKids after-school programs, building new mikvaos, and supporting 88 new shluchim couples.

Describing what inspires him the most, he concluded, “The unstoppable force of Jewish women on the front lines of Jewish life. The Rebbe’s perspective on women in leadership was decades ahead of its time. When much of the world saw leadership as something reserved for men, the Rebbe empowered Jewish women to be leaders, educators, community builders and role models of Yiddishkeit. He made it clear that they were central to the mission of bringing Yiddishkeit to every Jew.

“Today, the shluchot are the heartbeat of their shlichut. Together with their husbands they build communities from scratch, inspire generations and create Jewish infrastructure where almost none existed before.”