‘Tankistin’ Gather for Melava Malka

The Rebbe’s call of “Ufaratzta” – reaching out to every Jew wherever they may be, was heard yet again in Crown Heights. This past Motzei Shabbos 30 of the Rebbe’s “Tankistin” gathered together for a special Melavah Malkah.

The evening was to dedicate the newly purchased “Park Avenue Mitzvah Tank” which heads to Park Ave. and 53rd St. in Manhattan every Friday, bringing the life and spirit of Yiddishkeit to hundreds of people from all walks of life. The Park Ave. Mitzvah Tank was founded 6 years ago as a branch of the Mitzvah Tank Organization under the auspices of the Lubavitch Youth Organization and is directed by Rabbi Shmuli Cohen. It has been very successful in the past few years, with an average 50 Tefillin, 100 Shabbos Candle Kits and 200 Lchaim Publications distributed every week. Many people have become “regulars” making sure to stop by to do a Mitzvah, say “Lchaim” and hear a Dvar Torah during their lunch break or on their way home from work.

The “Tankistin” who man the tank and stand at nearby corners range from all ages and yeshivos, Bar Mitzvah Bochurim in 7th and 8th Grade, through Mesivta, Zal, and 770.

The program included a special video presentation of the “90 Tank Parade” which took place in 1992 in honor of the Rebbe’s 90th Birthday. Mr. Eliefja, a special guest from Florida, entertained the audience with the inside details of the Hashgacha Pratis invloved in the fundraising, finding and purchasing of the tank. Awards were also presented to the dedicated Bochurim who are involved in organizing and running the Mitzvah Tank.

The formal part of the evening was followed by a farbrengen with Rabbi Yosef Katzman, a former “Tankist”, who related to the Bochurim the history of the early years of mivtzoim and creation and development of the “Mitvah Tank”. He also described the Rebbe’s Nachas and how much the Rebbe cherished the “Tankistin”, until the tank evolved to become the very symbol of Lubavitch outreach.

All present were given a special Teshurah (available for download), and left with a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to the Rebbe’s mivtzoim, spreading the light of Yiddishkeit which will hasten the coming of Moshiach.

For more information or to give a donation please contact Rabbi Shmuli Cohen at (212) 810-1766.