Shaliach
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Shaliach (Hebrew: שָלִיחַ; plural שְלִיחִים, shlichim or Shliach plural Shluchim), in Judaism, is the concept of an emissary. In halakha (Jewish religious law) there are special laws that apply to a shaliach.
[edit] In the Bible
The first shaliach mentioned in the Torah is Eliezer, who was sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac.
[edit] Shlichim today
Some Jewish organizations may send shlichim to take upon leadership roles within another community. (Chabad-Lubavitch and some other groups call people in such roles shluchim (שְלוּחִים), the passive participle form that translates to "the ones who are sent".) Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson sent many thousands of selected shluchim worldwide, that he felt had the correct tools needed, to assist Jewish communities and travelers in all parts of the world, with a few exceptions.
The Jewish Agency for Israel sends communal shlichim from Israel to help in Zionist outreach within the diaspora community. They often take roles in assisting educational or Zionist groups with an aim of creating a stronger connection between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and ultimately to encourage aliyah (emigration to Israel).
In the Aleph Zadik Aleph, a Shaliach serves on international, (most) regional, and (most) chapter boards. This member is in charge of community service and Judaic affairs.