More than 100 Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries descended on the Rockland County town of New City, N.Y., for an inspiring two days of fellowship, storytelling and group planning.

The regional convention for emissaries from New York and New England looked at issues facing Chabad Houses today, innovative programs and practical tips for reaching every Jew, no matter his or her background.

Of particular value, said Rabbi Avremel Kotlarsky, director of the New City-based Chabad-Lubavitch of Rockland, was a presentation by a panel of elder emissaries who spoke about the guidance they received from the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.

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“The whole conference was very inspirational and meaningful,” said Kotlarsky, who came to New City in 1983. “I had the opportunity to greet many emissaries as they came in, and there were a lot of new people.”

Other sessions examined new programs like iVolunteer, a project of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Upper East Side in New York City that takes neighborhood volunteers to the homes of frail Holocaust survivors.

The conference took place in Chabad-Lubavitch of Rockland’s newly-expanded center, a 26,000-square-foot building that houses Hebrew Academy Ohr Menachem-Chabad and a Jewish community Hebrew school.

At the banquet Sunday night, community member and supporter Allan Lederman gave a personal story about why he takes part in activities at the Chabad House.

“If one is interested in becoming a better person, especially a better Jew, Chabad is a great place to go,” Lederman, 55, said after the conference. “All Jews are welcome.”

Lederman, an independent businessman, praised Kotlarsky, whom he met several years ago, and Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg, director of community outreach and education at the Rockland Chabad House.

“People like them exemplify what Jews can aspire to personally and spiritually,” he said.

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch, used his speech at the conference to point out the importance of personal relationships. He told of the first emissary to Argentina, Rabbi DovBer Baumgarten, who was disheartened by his lack of a building campaign when centers in other parts of the world were rapidly expanding their facilities.

According to Kotlarsky, the Rebbe took out a list of students at the central Lubavitch yeshiva and pointed out all the ones whom Baumgarten personally taught Torah to. “That is success,” said the Rebbe.

Said Lederman: “The conference was a good way for everyone to be strengthened. It reinforced our ideals, principles and goals.”