More than 1500 Lubavitch Chassidim and Bochurim, young Yeshivah students, walked for hours on the first day of Shevuos in the traditional Tahalucha/March to Shuls in New York Metropolitan area.
Many of the participants in the marches were guests from all over the world who came here for Shevuos.
They walked, up to 3 hours each way, from Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights to over 200 shuls in Bronx (3 hours) Boro Park, Flatbush, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay, Canarsie, Brooklyn Heights, Mill Basin, Sea Gate, Howard Beach, Queens (3 hours) and Lower, Upper and Mid Manhattan.
The marchers shared the Rebbe’s inspirational messages for Shevuos and what affect Mattan Torah – the giving of the Torah, had on the entire creation. They also stressed the specific importance of assuring that the Torah and the Jewish traditions are given over from generation to generation.
“The Rebbe instructed us to go on Tahalucha and share the joy of receiving the Torah with as many Jews as possible. The Rebbe himself would walk out of his room and escort the marchers from the entrance of 770,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director, Lubavitch Youth Organization, which organizes the marches. “This was indeed a great and cherished moment when the ‘Commander in Chief’ left his room to personally ‘see off his troops’ and these dedicated soldiers who went on Tahalucha are continuing the work of the Rebbe” said Rabbi Butman.
The activity was organized by Rabbi Yossi Butman, Project Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization and coordinated by Rabbi Yosef Goldwasser and Avrohom Reichik.
The entire Tahaluchos-Marches project was conducted with the specific coordination with New York City Police Department. “It was a pleasure to work with them,” said Rabbi Yossi Butman. “They exhibited extraordinary sensitivity and efficiency and we are looking forward to working with the NYPD in the future.”
This year much specialized research was employed and many additional Shuls were visited. The Tahaluchos-Marches have become part of Jewish life in the New York Metropolitan area. Before Yom Tov many Rabbis also called the offices of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, or sent emails, to make sure that Chabad Lubavitch representatives should come to their Shuls to help them celebrate the Yom Tov Shevuos.
Until about the mid 70’s, It used to be that, when Lubavitchers would march into Williamsburg, the Satmar Chasidim would gleefully proclaim,”THE LUBAVITCHERS ARE HERE!,” and would join us in joyful dancing. Unfortunately, that changed when things the Rebbe did or said, which they did not agree with – then they told us we were no longer welcome. But we marched anyway – “since when do they own Williamsburg to tell us that?” They responded violently. I was there. It was pretty bad and frightening. Since then, I don’t think there has been any official recommendation to march to Williamsburg,… Read more »
way to go Yossel!!! your efforts are not wasted!!!
I know of some people that went to Willamsburg.And Bronx is just 3 hours?
Just Gevaldik There should be more boys like u
Walking through to go to the east side isnt enough!
When I lived in Flatbush the frum Yidden at the Agudah of Ave H waited eagerly for the chabad boys – there wasn’t an official group – they broke off from the main Flatbush group. It was so beautiful.
the rebbe used to wait for people to come back from FREE of Brighton (okonovs)