By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shneur Haviv/COLlive
The largest-ever Mitzvah Tank parade took place on Tuesday, Yud Alef Nissan, in honor of the Rebbe’s 120th birthday.
On board the tanks were over 2,500 bochurim from Yeshivas around the world, who traveled to New York to mark the Rebbe’s milestone birthday and take part in the parade which united yeshivas around the world for one grand parade.
In addition to the 120 Mitzvah Tanks, 2 Double Decker buses filled with hundreds of children rode along with the parade, filled with boys who had earned a spot in the parade by putting in hours of extra Torah learning.
After heading out from Chabad World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway, the Tanks set out for Manhattan, traveling into the city via three different bridges.
The bochurim and children in the parade spent the day traveling around the city, reminding Jewish people of all backgrounds of the upcoming Yom Tov of Pesach.
Aside from putting on Teffilin with thousands, and distributing hundreds of pounds of Matza, the Mitzvah Tank Parade brings across the Rebbe’s message to all New Yorkers.
The Mitzvah Tank Organization, led by Rabbi Moishy Schmukler and Rabbi Mordy Hirsch, thanked Devorah Halberstam – honorary NYPD commissioner and community activist, for her assistance with coordinating the parade, which was the largest ever in the history of the Mitzvah Tank Parades and required much logistical planning.
They also thanked the NYPD Highway Patrol and the 71st Pct. under the leadership of Commanding Officer Inspector Joseph Hayward, as well as Sergeant Mike Baratta and Officer Taisha Skyers for their assistance in making the parade possible.
“A 120 Mitzvah Tank Parade is a most suitable way to celebrate the Rebbe’s 120th birthday,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chairman of Mitzvah Tanks. “As Mitzvah Tanks do exactly what the Rebbe wants – they ‘reach out’ and connect to people in their own communities and neighborhoods.”
You too can take part in this year’s parade in honor of the Rebbe. Donate now at 120tanks.com.
VIDEO: West Coast Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin on the Mitzvah Tank parade
I would like to take this opportunity to thank so much too Moti Hirsch and all the staff of the Mitzvah Tank Office for the most amazing parade that we had it is so amazing that we had 120 Mitzvah Tanks this is something that I wanna say how awesome that we had such a beautiful parade we should only hear many more good news with happiness and successful