By COLlive reporter
Photos: Baruch Ezagui
As thousands make their way to the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights, Queens this Friday to spend Shabbos and daven at the Rebbe’s Ohel this Gimmel Tammuz, some are having a hard time making it there.
There were changes in many flight schedules into New York’s JFK and La Guardia airports due to stormy weather in the area. At least one flight has been diverted to Rochester, in upstate NY, COLlive has learned, without giving an exact time when they will be flying the passengers into New York City.
The heat wave which has hit New York the past two days has turned into stormy weather, with heavy rain at times, and is expected over Shabbos as well.
The many that will be staying in the Ohel over Shabbos might find themselves walking in the rain from the Ohel house where the davening and learning will be conducted to the different tents where Shabbos meals and sleeping accommodations are located.
The inclement weather has also created heavy traffic in various areas around the city, with some people reporting driving to the Ohel taking double the time.
Personal requests for prayer (Panim) can be sent to the Ohel by calling (718) 723-4545 or visiting www.OhelChabad.org.
The Belt Parkway leading to exit 22 – Springfield Blvd is said to be backed up as of 5:00 PM.
Update: 5:12 pm
At the Ohel itself it’s sunny and there’s a cool breeze. Lines into the Ohel are moving smoothly, with NYPD, security volunteers and a Hatzalah ambulance on site.
Update 5:40 pm:
A number of flights were also redirected to Syracuse, COLlive has learned.
UPDATE (6:16PM):
A flight which was rerouted to Rochester, NY has taken off a few minutes ago with some Lubavitchers on board. It’s expected to land at 7:00 PM at JFK with enough time to make it to the Ohel before candle lighting time at 8:10 PM.
On the other hand, 15 Jews on a flight from California rerouted to Syracuse will not be making it for Shabbos. They were hoping the flight will take off before 6:00 PM which didn’t happen.
“We got on the airport loudspeaker and invited any Jew who is stuck here to spend Shabbos at the Rappaport home,” said Rabbi Avraham Zajac, Director of Chabad-Lubavitch of South La Cienega in Los Angeles, CA.
The Rappaports, Chabad’s local Shluchim, have opened their home to them and any other Jews who are stranded.
“It’s a tremendous Kiddush Hashem,” Rabbi Zajac told COLlive.com. “There are about 15 Jewish people on our flight. One non-frum Jewish woman will stay at Chabad Syracuse as well because it will be the best option for her.”
“Everything is hashgacha protis,” an upbeat Rabbi Zajac said, looking forward to sharing the light of the Rebbe and the teachings of chassidus over Shabbos.
COLlive has learned that Lubavitchers planning to spend Shabbos at the Ohel found themselves back home after flights from Chicago, Montreal, Toronto and Pittsburgh were redirected back.
What amazing hashgacha protis that you could do such a mitzva of hachnosas orchim without being home- I should have a whole shabbos in the freezer! As for us, we believe the Rebbe is concealed so no need to sleep in the graveyard- kind of what the dor hamidbar had to do. We’re not sinners like they were. They lacked in emunah that things would be good for them in Israel following Hashem’s plan. Crown Heights is ready for the geula! We all saw the sign on Kingston Ave. during the Lag B’omer parade this year. I just put up… Read more »
I’m sure its not easy or cheap to have 15 last minute guests, I hope each gave a donation acording to their abilities so that these amazing and giving shluchim can help more people
Maybe? something did happen! they were SUPPOSE to bring kedusha to the chabad house even though it was ‘officially’ closed
Thank you for your kinds words. much appreciated.
I am waiting for you and the entire SOLA crew.
Kuraevs
wow wow
it was for the good, mabby somthing was sposed to happen
Maybe we should refrain from calling others lunatics, something that everyone would agree is something The Rebbe would not like. As well as kol haposel bemumo posel. In addition, The Rebbe was never at the Ohel on Shabbos and Yom Tov nor did he send anyone to make minyanim there (notwithstanding what happened at the Ohel inLubavitch). In general, if we can’t discuss our opinion without infantile name calling, maybe we should keep it to ourselves.
The tanks were places for people to sleep. The gvirim weren’t sleeping in the public tent on cots. As far as the rebbe not being at the ohel on shabbos let’s call it for what it is – a place where shluchim can gather en mass, to farbreng, daven and inspire one another without being assaulted by slogans and lunatics that unfortunately currently lay claim to the rebbe’s shul. Also, there’s the added benefit of being able to daven at the ohel right up to the beginning of shabbos and right after shabbos – times that even you would agree… Read more »
The rashbatz was sent to make minyanim on shabbos and Yom tov at the kvorim of previous rabeim
B”H Thank you Chabad of Syracuse, the Rappaports. My husband was one of the stranded and he told me what amazing hospitality you provided even though you were in NYC. The food was all ready for Shabbes in the freezer, and all they had to do was warm it up in time for Shabbes. He said th chabad house is so beautiful and comfortable. He said the Shabbes there was amazing. Despite the set back, he had a very special experience at your chabad house. And thank you Rabbi Zajac for making it all happen. Thank you, from a concerned… Read more »
Biggest chossid ever!!!
There is no doubt that the people of Syracuse merited to have the one the greatest shluchim in the world as their guest this shabbos. To #11, his flight was at 615am, which should have been plenty of time to get him in to NY more than 4 hrs before shabbos. Obviously the eibishter had other plans. Btw, he flew Friday so that he could farbreng with his community Thursday night. He is an example for all of us!
They left at 6 am la time, and as they were approaching landing at 3 pm, they were diverted to Syracuse. After that it was touch and go to see if they would make it to NYC, and finally they took the more prudent route and stayed put. They left way before haztot.
when u fly from la to ny get there 9 hours alater (6 hour flight plus 3 hours time diffrence) so obvously they where flying early morning and just there flight got stuck
To #4 I was in Uman& this is much better organized a proper seder.for those that feel they need to be there.in my opinion many of them are lacking true hiskashrus Even Reb Yoel Kahan would agree with that. The Rebbe was & is in Crown heights in 770 there is no need to stay at the Ohel On Shabbos & Yom tov when it is well known & was said by The Rebbe himself That on Shabbos V’Yomtov Tzaddim are not! in their graves!!! But Kol Hakavod To Abba & company for organizing a huge & proper set up.… Read more »
captain america sheets on 3 tamuz !?
The Rapoports are AMAZING!! We stayed there as well. The nicest people ever!
wonderful, nice to see all set up, good to see you Ari P. in action
go Rapoports!
But why couldent thease 15 People, make. There Flights arlia, Doing the day. Isent there halocha, that if you Travel on Erev Shabbos, you are sepose to leave @ least b 4 Chatzoise?
Rocky!!!!!!!!!
Are they rented? or purchased?
and i love our people the lubavitchers were truly amazing
How amazing is that??. Kol Hakavod to all who donated and paid for this amazing gathering. Make the Rebbe proud, use the time right.
This is a kiddush H-shem!
the organization is immense-kol hakavod tO THE VAAD HAMESADRIM AND TO rABBI REFSON- but in my humble opinion, im afraid dto say this, but sadly dthis looks like uman.please hasem not that – not a taiteh chassidus-not that!!!
Flights from Toronto have been delayed as well, many left the plane to head back home because they saw they wont make it on-time for Shabbos.
That is true chessed and hachnasas orchim! KEEP IT UP!!!
you are invited to join us for shabbos -we need some Rabbis they all left call me. or email [email protected]