Chabad rabbis from across Florida gathered in Miami Beach for a regional weekend of learning, reflection, and connection, bringing together community leaders who serve Jewish families and institutions throughout the state.
The Southern Regional Kinus Hashluchim, held at Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami, gave participating rabbis a rare opportunity to step away from the daily demands of their communities and spend Shabbat together in an atmosphere of friendship, renewal, and shared purpose. Dozens of rabbis attended the full Shabbat program, with many more joining after Shabbat for a large Melava Malka gathering.
This year’s gathering carried added meaning. It took place during the centennial year of the liberation of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe from Soviet imprisonment, a milestone date in Chabad history that continues to inspire Jewish resilience and public Jewish life around the world. The weekend also coincided with the first yartzeit of Rabbi Avraham Korf, of blessed memory, who served as Head Shliach of Florida for 65 years and played a central role in building Chabad throughout the state.
Members of the Korf family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, joined the Shabbat meals in honor of the yartzeit. Philanthropist Leonardo Farkas also spent Shabbat with the participants, and members of the South Beach Jewish community joined portions of the program.
For many of the rabbis, the setting itself became part of the experience. Staying in the Yeshiva dormitory, learning together in the study hall, and spending unhurried time with colleagues created the feeling of returning to their formative yeshiva years. Participants described the weekend as one extended gathering of learning, conversation, song, and encouragement.
The program began Friday afternoon with a rabbinic law roundtable led by Rabbi Ehud Kvin. Friday evening’s program was emceed by Rabbi Mendy Katz and included remarks from Rabbi Benjy Korf, followed by a keynote address from Rabbi Mordechai Farkash of Bellevue, Washington.
Rabbi Farkash, who studied at Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami years earlier under Rabbi Avraham Korf and Rabbi Leib Schapiro, shared personal memories and reflections on the life and responsibilities of a Chabad emissary. He spoke about the lessons of Chabad history, the mission of Jewish leadership, and the enduring influence of Rabbi Korf’s work in Florida.
Shabbat morning began with an extended class in Chassidic thought from Rabbi Leib Schapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami. During the Shabbat day meal and afternoon farbrengen, Rabbi Schapiro shared vivid memories of the Rebbe’s public gathering in 1962, marking the liberation of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, while also speaking more broadly about the mission of Chabad emissaries, the Rebbe’s deep concern for Soviet Jewry, and the responsibility to strengthen Jewish life in every corner of the world. Rabbi Farkash also continued farbrenging with the crowd, adding personal reflections and practical encouragement for Chabad outreach and leadership today.
Throughout the weekend, the formal sessions were only part of the impact. Much of the inspiration came through informal conversations between rabbis who understand one another’s responsibilities and challenges. Participants exchanged ideas, shared practical advice, and discussed how to strengthen Jewish life in their respective communities.
After Shabbat, the Kinus continued with a Melava Malka attended by additional rabbis from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, many of whom drove in immediately after Shabbat to take part in the closing program. The evening was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
The Melava Malka included a video presentation connected to the theme of Chabad resilience, followed by remarks from Rabbi Mendel Sossonko, Rav of the South Beach community, Rabbi Benjy Korf, keynote speaker Rabbi Yossi Nemes of New Orleans, and philanthropist Leonardo Farkas.
The program concluded with a group photo, followed by spontaneous singing and dancing. Even after the formal program ended, many participants remained to continue the conversations and inspiration of the weekend.
A central theme of the gathering was Rabbi Avraham Korf’s legacy and lifelong dedication to Jewish life in Florida. Participants reflected on the foundation he built over six and a half decades of leadership, and on the responsibility of today’s Chabad emissaries to continue serving their communities with dedication, warmth, and purpose.
Addressing the Melava Malka, Rabbi Benjy Korf noted the continued growth of Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami, mentioning that with the Mesivta preparing to move to its new campus, the Yeshiva will have expanded use of the building and additional room for growth. He then urged the Shluchim to renew their commitment to the mission entrusted to them by the Rebbe: to strengthen Jewish life in every place and help prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach.
More than a conference, the Southern Regional Kinus was a weekend of unity, reflection, and renewal. For the rabbis who attended, it was an opportunity to strengthen one another and return to their communities with fresh energy for the work of Jewish life throughout Florida and beyond.
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