So the rovers are roving, but how did they get there and who makes it all happen? As the rovers hit the road two at a time, we take you behind the scenes to see how it all happens.
While summer is still a dream in the Brooklyn chill, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of the educational and social arms of Chabad Lubavitch International - who has supervised the Roving Rabbis program for over 25 years - and his staff evaluate which countries will be receiving visitors.
One by one, the aspiring rovers, bearing letters from their respective yeshivas attesting to their scholarship and permitting them to take off the summer session, come marching in for personal meetings with Rabbi Kotlarsky. In his trademark avuncular style, he gets to know each boy a bit and shares tips from his years traveling the planet as a Chabad Lubavitch representative.
Then the fun begins, and the students are matched up with countries. Factors such as language fluency, experience, and personal preferences are all carefully weighed.
And then, one fine morning in the spring, an email goes out to all the boys informing them of where they will spend their summer months. In yeshivas all over the world, news passes quickly: "Did you hear who is going to Taiwan?" "I am excited to be going to New Jersey" "Who is going to India this year?"
As anticipation builds, a day is scheduled for the soon-to-be-rovers to come together for an afternoon of inspiration, training, practical tips, and experience sharing.
This year's conference took place last Thursday, just as Chabad Chassidim all over the globe were also gathering together to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Rebbe's passing. A highlight of the conference was an address by one of the early Roving Rabbis, the chairman of the educational and social arms of Chabad Lubavitch International, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky. He shared his personal musings and memories.
Now, after a few days of shopping and meeting with their predecessors for tips and contacts, the Roving Rabbis are ready to rove. They have booked their flights and rental cars, and made advance phone calls letting people know when they will be in town.
As the taxis laden with kosher food, fedoras, mezuzot, matza, Shabbat candles, and rabbis head toward JFK, the staff members in Brooklyn remain at their posts offering technical and moral support to the Roving Rabbis.
