A Mitzvah Before Check-In

Photos: Baruch Ezagui

Each day, El Al flights lifts hundreds of passengers off an NYC runway towards Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, and each day, a group of Yeshiva students are there to see them off.

On Chanukah, as passengers go through check-in, they are greeted with a warm “Chag Someach!” backed by a bright, colorful Chanukah display of Suganiyot, dreidels and games for children. Some have kindled the Menorah at home, but many have yet to do so.

Those who aren’t flying El Al are attracted by the large posters stationed around the airport, including one at Delta’s check-in, which also furnishes a flight to Israel.

After enjoying the welcomed treats, many proceed to kindle a Menorah of their own, right there, in Terminal 4 of JFK International Airport. While their children sit down and play dreidel, complete some Chanukah themed crafts, or find Judah Maccabee in a crossword puzzle, adults listen to a Yeshiva student expound upon Chanukah’s relevance to our times and lives, “Bayomim haheim bizman hazeh.”

Over the course of Chanukah, thousands will have met Chabad at the Airport, and the response is overwhelming. Passengers are thrilled to encounter the opportunity to celebrate Chanukah, and El AL staff are delighted, too, having long befriended the “boys from Chabad” who contribute tremendously to the ‘soul’ of the Airline throughout the year.

Organizing the group is Yossi Rapp, Director of Chabad of the Airport. Yossi is continuing what his memorable father began back in 1973.

For decades, Rabbi Yekusiel Menachem Rapp OB”M, ran the Chabad presence at the Airport, and specifically, amongst those at El AL, developing warm relations with El-Al executives, and through them, the Israeli security establishments. When the Rebbe wanted to send Matzos to Israel, Rabbi Rapp had it arranged. “Send it through ‘Unzer Yekusiel’”, said the Rebbe. At his father’s Shloshim, Yossi committed himself to continuing his father’s work, and Chabad activities at the Airport has been expanding ever since.

All year round, Yossi leads the Mivtzoim at the airport, donning Tefillin with hundreds of passengers, and connecting them with Chabad in their respective locations. “Many are Israelis, but people from all over go to tour Israel, and some don’t realize they have a Chabad near their own homes” says Yossi.
For Chanukah, preparations begin months in advance to secure the necessary permits and paperwork for such an operation, coordinating with the airport’s security and management apparatus, as well as the Airline to ensure flyers have their Jewish needs cared for, without a hitch.

As mentioned, the activities go beyond servicing passengers at the Airport. On one particular Chanukah evening, El Al officials and staff gathered in their Manhattan headquarters for a delightful Chanukah celebration complete with traditional Sufganiyot, song, and great spirits.

The event was attended by senior El Al executives, including General Manager of El Al North America, Danny Saidon — who spoke of the great work of Rabbi Yekusiel Rapp, OB”M, at El Al, and how thankful he is for his son, Yossi’s, continued involvement with the Airline, Assistant General Manager of El Al Gal Gershon, and others.

Chabad at the Airport will continue to expand, strive, and thrive, until the ultimate Geulah with Moshiach Tzidkeinu, may it be speedily in our days.

To donate to Chabad of the Airport, click here.