Thousands of Satmar Chassidim arrived in Crown Heights on Motzoei Shabbos, packing into the massive 42nd Infantry Division Support Command Armory for the annual Melave Malka benefit for the Satmar institutions led by the Satmar Rebbe – Reb Aaron.
The storage center for artillery and offices of the National Guard, located on Bedford Avenue between Union and President Streets, is also used as a movie set.
In 2010, the armory went through an extreme makeover, transformed into an elegant ballroom for the fully catered sit-down dinner of the gala banquet of the 5770 Kinus Hashluchim convention, attended by Chabad rabbis and supporters.
Last night’s event, which celebrated the Rebbe R’ Yoel’s z”ya escape from Europe during the second world war, had a different feel, with over 10,000 people packing every inch of the room, with thousands sitting at long tables and bleachers lining the walls.
A number of Crown Heights residents were in attendance, including Rabbi Yaacov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Braun – members of the Crown Heights Beis Din, R’ Chanina Sperlin, intergovernmental liaison for the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Rabbi Michoel Chazan, Director of Chaplaincy at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, community activist Rabbi Mendel Shagalov and Rabbi Gershon Chaimson.
Another group of Lubavitcher activists were in attendance as well, and spoke with the Satmar Rebbe as he entered the hall, thanking him for his efforts and participation in the worldwide effort to bring about justice for Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin.
The group was led by Sholom Rubashkin’s father Rabbi Avrohom Aaron Rubashkin, son Getzel Rubashkin and Rabbi Lipa Brennan. When the Satmar Rebbe saw Rabbi Avrohom Aaron his face lit up in a wide smile and he gave his blessing for Sholom Mordechai’s immediate redemption.
Rabbi Brennan then introduced the group of activists to the Satmar Rebbe, which included Rabbis Hersh Chitrik, Ari Chitrik, Laima Minkowitz and Itchik Rivkin, all involved in the Pidyon Shvuyim campaign.
The Rebbe told them that their efforts will surely bring about Sholom Mordechai ben Rivkah’s geulah and gave his bracha to each one of them.
As the delegation was leaving, many Satmar Chassidim came over to R’ Avrohom Aharon and wished him a bracha to be together with his son again so Sholom Mordechai can fulfill the Mitzva of Kibud Av.
Both Communities have a lot to be proud of. Lets each focus on the MAALOS CHAVERENU VELO CHESRONAM.While continuing the path each our parents chose. Yes true we dont go on Shlichus. We did help Rubashkin with all out might.Money , Petition, etc.I am Satmar but come from a country where Chabad does Excelent Kiruv
Someone ,mentioned above that we “missed our spot” of being the largest sitdown dinner.
From the pictures above, it looks like not everyone, even MOST people, did not get food.
Noone has put as much effort as chabad. You can see a clip on youtube that took a warehouse and made it into an amazing hall!!
You have to remain strong! Just because they outnumber us, they dont go on shlichus, they just sit in williamsburgh or wherever they reside!!!
Chabad acts.
The armory is not always available for our use. Other events go on there too. It’s not so simple to make the kinus hashluchim there every year.
Thanks for the beautiful photographs! May the Rebbe’s brachos all be mikayem mamish l’alter and yehi ratzon anu zochim liros di geuleh fin R. Sholom Mordechai ben Rivkeh un di Geulah Shlaimo bimheyro viyomeni omain selah!
The followers of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum oldest son of Beirach Moshe were in NYS national Guard Armory & the followers of Rabbi Zalman (3rd son of Beirach Moshe) took place in Williamsburg Marcy Armory
I guess chesed brings all of us together. Like
Rabbi Birnbaum wrote in the Yated,
You dont have to be a chusid of Satmar to be a chusid of Satmar chesed. It all started with Reb Yoel Teitelbaum Ztzl
and gets stronger each day. Reb Aron sets a wonderful example as is definitely worthy of being at the helm of Satmar today.
all children of the bael-shem tove
bli einara!!! kein yirbu!
Kein Yirbu!
why was he not invited?
ken yirbu kinusim like those, achdus will bring moshiach, chazak ve amets
This place – as we already know – is TOO SMALL for the Kinus hashluchim. The Kinus is a sit down dinner affair with round tables, no bleachers no narrow long tables, we can’t fit there. satmar has it – Kaviyachul – in a “Farbrangen” style – then obviously you can do it.
there are as many lubavitchers with beards too
say halivai and b’ezras Hashem that all Lubavitchers and all Satmars etc have beards. Unfortunately the yeridas hadoirois has hit all circles, even if you don’t see it in these pics>May Hashem bentch all Yidden and bring Moshiach NOW
so nice to see everyone with beards
Beautiful, no need to leave CH for the kinnus again.
There is room for all, now for sukkas Dovid…..
i wonder why we needed to most the kinnus to manhatten>?
As a woman (who can’t attend this gathering) I thank you to make me take part of this wonderful event, through your pictures.
shevas achim gam yachad
moshiach now
This event raises millions of dollars for the satmar mosdos!
I think this means we can’t claim our kinnus is the biggest sitdown dinner in NY… This thing looks a lot bigger, and there was food served.
wow so many ppl in such an organized manner
And don’t forget this is only HALF of Satmar! The other half are R’ Zalman Leib’s Chassidim. They were elswere…..
That is very wonderful and nice.
We had only Shluchim at the convention that is the difference.
If we would have Amcho come there would not be enough places by us too.
Not Chas Vesholom that I am degrading the Satmar Convention the opposite Tovoy Aleihem Brocho.
I’m very proud of what Yidishe people around the world are trying and hopefully accomplishing the task they started to do.
Anyone know if they use the same niggun as we do to sing “B’cha Bat’chu Avoseinu” ?
Where did the antis have their gathering?
Wow – a holy convocation. . Very nice