It was ten degrees below freezing. And that’s without the wind chill factor. People said, “don’t waste your time opening the Aliya Teffilin booth on the corner of Kingston and Crown in the heart of Crown Heights. No one will roll up their sleeve in this weather,” they said.
How wrong they were. The young brave men at Aliya defied all odds and stood out on Kingston for a record Teffilin day. To show the critics that they are larger than the weather they even did a “Mannequin Teffillin Challenge” at the booth amidst a frigid yet bustling erev Shabbos on Kingston Avenue.
This meant these young men would stand stone cold still for 60 seconds without moving a limb.
“The arctic temperatures are no match for the Aliya Teffilin booth,” said 17-year-old Mendel Lipsker, who leaves work early every Friday to man the Aliya Teffilin booth. He posts pictures on his “snap chat” and “Instagram” to get his friends to come out and wrap Teffilin as well.
Video: Aliya Mannequin Challenge
The booth is also equipped with Shabbos candles and Sheva Mitzvos cards, music, drinks, and pastries, a Pushka and a credit card swiper so they have something for everybody.
After the mannequin challenge video went live on social media last Friday suddenly many young men who saw the video came out to Kingston to wrap Teffilin and completely defy the weather.
The booth is managed by Rabbi Moishe Feiglin and his young Aliya members to bring warmth and energy to the streets of Crown Heights. They are on Kingston every Friday from 1-3pm outside House of Glatt.
“Please stop by to tell them how amazing they are and drop some Tzedakah into the Aliya pushka (which also takes credit cards),” says Rabbi Feiglin.
If you would like to dedicate the Teffilin booth in honor of or in memory of a loved one for a week or a month please email admin@aliyainstitute.com and their name will be displayed on the table during the action!
Amazing, I love seeing these guys on Friday (or in general).
#1, it’s a song by 8th Day called “Ker a Velt”
You guys are the best! Wow!!!!!!!!
Aliyah is amazing
I see you every Friday and I’m blown away by your dedication and bravery. I’m sure it takes guts to have a Tefillin booth on Kingston. You guys really are super heroes
Im totally dedicating a week!
Great video!! Keep up the awesome work!
Moshiach Now!!!
Love what you do for Aliya! Keep it up!
a secret admirer:)
Go Aliya. you guys are the most amazing chabad house in the world. I’m ging to dedicate this weeks tefillin booth in honor of Rabbi Feiglin, Mendel Lipsakr and the rest of you awesome guys!:)
In sub- freezing temperatures taking on the Great Mannequin Challenge last Friday! Are you kidding, must be some new kind of Jewish Superheroes! Aliya is really something else, Kol Hakovod! Moshiach Now!!
omg the music is sick!! They must make an audio of that!