Over 100 Chabad emissaries across the UK have gathered for their annual Kinus Hashluchim get-together – their largest yet amidst Chabad's record growth.
In the past four years alone, Chabad has opened 12 new Chabad Houses, with 18 new rabbis joining the fast-growing movement. The organisation now boasts 74 centres across the United Kingdom, reaching Jewish communities from London to Leeds, and from Bournemouth to Birmingham.
“We have been growing across the country across all demographics – from students to seniors. The reach of Chabad is growing across the board,” said Rabbi Yehuda Pink, director of Chabad of Solihull and the conference coordinator.
Rabbi Pink attributed the growth of the Chabad outreach movement to the rabbis’ attitude. “No one feels excluded. From the most religious to most secular, you will always be welcomed with no questions asked. We have people from the LGBT community who attend our events. We accept and welcome any individual unreservedly - when you respect others, it gets mirrored back.”
Unlike other communal organisations, Chabad doesn’t operate off a membership but rather welcomes whoever comes their way. “Being a membership organisation often restricts you to dealing with just your members, making it difficult to offer help to those who are reluctant to affiliate,” said Rabbi Pink. “Being welcoming of all people, those who are coming and going, in and out, helps to make more of an impact. As our network grows, we can implement a continuum that allows people to be a part of Chabad, wherever they are in the country, and at whatever stage in life they're in.”
The training and spiritual renewal-focused conference last week in Leicestershire was themed “Do all you can to fulfil your mission – stronger together”, reflecting both the individual and collective drive of the shluchim (emissaries) in Britain.
A highlight was the keynote talk by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, Chabad World’s headquarters, “whose words brought both inspiration and a sense of global connection to the Rebbe’s [Menachem Mendel Schneerson] vision”, said Rabbi Pink. “His participation greatly enhanced the Kinus, reminding everyone that they are part of something far larger than their individual posts.”
Beyond the practical lectures and the spiritual inspiration of the event, the atmosphere of the Kinus was marked by warmth, camaraderie, and appreciation. The event was catered by Rabbi Pink’s wife, Dinie Pink, and the meals were complemented by thoughtful personal touches, including chocolates for each emissary to take home to their wife and small gifts for their children - a nod to the family unit behind every Chabad House.
Rabbi Pink said attendees reportedly left the event feeling uplifted, with many remarking on the sense of unity and shared purpose that defined the gathering. One participant said: “Being together with so many shluchim reminds us that we’re not working in isolation — we’re part of something much bigger, and we’re stronger for it.”
Rabbi Pink, who is keen to keep pushing the boundaries of Chabad, quotes the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “If you have 10,000 Jews in city and you reach 9,999, it’s not enough. The Rebbe used to convince people to continue pushing for more. The progress you make should act as a catalyst to do more and build on your success.”
