At first, I didn’t think that it would be appropriate to report about our trip in the “What’s New at Chabad” section of this email. Seemingly it’s a personal trip and not Chabad news. At second thought I changed my mind. While 31 families from all over Asia have gathered for what can be seen as personal vacation, the most discussed topic was our mission. How to get more people to come to Torah classes (stay tuned...); how to create social networks within the community and so on.

Aside from the above sessions, just being together gave us tremendous inspiration. Rabbi Avtzon from Hong Kong who opened the first Chabad center in Asia a little more than 25 years ago began his speech by saying “who would have thought that a day will come and a microphone will be needed for such a gathering”...

Our headquarters in NY sent 6 counselors who ran the kids program. Zalman went daily at 8 am and came back at 9 pm to fall asleep in seconds. In the taxi on the way back he asked me what did we do all day while they were having the time of their life... :)

We are back now, fully charged. I hope that very soon you will be able to feel why this conference is “New at Chabad”...

I want to share with you one point that is very dear to me. Do you remember my excitement when I found a picture of me by the Rebbe? So here is another story about such a picture...

As indicated, the conference took place in Bangkok. Chabad there has a real empire, with 6 Chabad Rabbis, 3 shuls in different parts of town, a Jewish School, massive Kosher food services and more. They worked tirelessly to put together the program that included nearly 200 people. On top of them is Rabbi Yosef C. Kantor who as the host is left with many bills to pay.

Thursday morning, as we were all saying goodbye, he received an email from a friend who found a picture of him with the Rebbe... I think it was the Rebbe’s way to say thank you to him.