Hundreds of Chabad Chassidim from across the globe gathered Wednesday night in the elegant ballroom of Almaty’s central hotel, near the resting place of the revered Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson OBM, father of the Rebbe, for the central Farbrengen marking his yahrzeit on 20 Av.
Hundreds of Chabad Chassidim from across the globe gathered Wednesday night in the elegant ballroom of Almaty’s central hotel, near the resting place of the revered Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson OBM, father of the Rebbe, for the central Farbrengen marking his yahrzeit on 20 Av.
Around beautifully set tables laden with an abundance of food, participants enjoyed an uplifting and spirited evening following the reading of the Pan Kloli (general letter) at the holy resting place, led by Florida Head Shliach Rabbi Bentzion Korf, who continues the work of his late father.
The Farbrengen was chaired by the Rebbe’s Shliach to Istanbul, Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, who opened with heartfelt words describing the greatness of the Rebbe’s father. Rabbi Korf was then called to recite the Rebbe’s and Rebbetzin’s chapters of Tehillim, followed by welcoming remarks from the Rebbe’s Shliach to Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen. Rabbi Cohen spoke with deep emotion about the unprecedented gathering of Chassidim in Almaty—something unimaginable in the past—and warmly thanked philanthropist R’ Avi Shaulson and the dedicated Chassidic team behind the international production, who have been supporting this annual event for a decade.
After special video presentations of the Rebbe speaking about his father and soulful melodies led by R’ Efraim Zucker, the keynote address was delivered by the renowned lecturer and Shliach Rabbi Shneor Ashkenazi. He spoke of the “20 Av Revolution”—how, despite the pain of the Rebbe’s father’s resting place being in a distant and foreign land, from that very place emerged the monumental revolution of the Seventh Generation under the Rebbe’s leadership.
The event concluded with words from philanthropist R’ Avi Shaulson, who reflected on the life and legacy of the Rebbe’s father, the global impact of his teachings, and the tremendous joy that Chassidim from all over the world can gather each year in Almaty to learn his Torah, be inspired by his example, and deepen their connection to his story in the very city where he rests.
