By COLlive reporter
Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, visited the Beis Rivkah campus in Kfar Chabad Beis on Wednesday, touring a unique educational program that has been expanded this year to accommodate daughters of Chabad Shluchim from around the world.
The program, known as “Klamke,” operates under Beis Rivkah College, headed by Rabbi Moshe Chefer. Established several years ago for outstanding Chassidishe girls, it underwent significant changes this year to better meet the needs of daughters of Shluchim studying away from home.
Rabbi Lazar and the Chabad Shlichus leadership in the former Soviet Union have encouraged and supported the initiative, with assistance from Shluchim Rabbi Dovid Mondshine, Rabbi Shlomo Peles, and Rabbi Yehuda Bloy.
Approximately 40 students are currently enrolled in the program, including daughters of Shluchim from Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belgium, and other countries.
The program combines a comprehensive Chassidishe educational experience with comfortable residential accommodations and a structured environment throughout the week.
Mrs. Debbie Tzirkus, an experienced educator and administrator in Chassidishe educational institutions, oversees the program.
During his visit, Rabbi Lazar was accompanied by Rabbi Peles and Rabbi Chefer, who led a tour of the campus and presented the facilities and resources available to the students.
After the tour, Rabbi Lazar led a Chassidishe farbrengen with the students, joined by college faculty, including Rabbi Dovid Beitch, the mashpia overseeing the program’s spiritual and Chassidishe development, and Rabbi Zusha Wolf, a longtime lecturer at Beis Rivkah.
During the farbrengen, Rabbi Lazar spoke about the privilege and responsibility of being part of the Rebbe’s army. He shared memories of growing up on Shlichus in Milan, Italy, recounted personal encouragement he received from the Rebbe over the years, and related stories from his decades of Shlichus in Russia.
“Your Shlichus begins right now, while you are studying at Klamke in Kfar Chabad,” Rabbi Lazar told the students.
“Every good deed you do for a friend is Shlichus. The Rebbe said that ‘Shliach’ has the same numerical value as ‘sameach,’ meaning happy. The foundation of Shlichus is joy. When you bring happiness and encouragement to your friends, you are acting as Shluchos yourselves and strengthening the continuation of Shlichus.”
Before departing, Rabbi Lazar wished Rabbi Chefer and the students continued success, hoping the program would grow in both enrollment and the quality of its educational and Chassidishe environment.
He also pledged that he and the leadership of Chabad activities in the former Soviet Union would continue supporting the initiative, with the goal of helping daughters of Shluchim from around the world flourish educationally and spiritually.
