550 girls at Montreal Hakhel gathering

By COL in Montreal

Based on the directive of the Rebbe (14 Elul 5740) to organize Hakhel gatherings during Aseres Yemai Teshuva, on Friday Beth Rivkah of Montreal organized a grand Kinus Hakhel for all its 550 students together, starting from 18 month old “taf” in the pre-school, through Kindergarten, Elementary and High School.

The principal, Rabbi Yosef Minkowitz, spoke to the students about Hakhel in the Beis Hamikdosh and Hakhel by the Rebbe.

He described the Hakhel Sukkos 5741, when the Rebbe established Tzivos Hashem, and during Hakofos on Simchas Torah the Rebbe went for an unprecedented Hakofo (in addition to the first and seventh) exclusively with the boys under Bar Mitzvah.

The Rebbe asked them that everyone (including his secretaries) should leave the area designated for Hakofos (the “ches”), and from all corners of the shul, which was packed with thousands, beyond capacity, the children were passed over the heads of the adults and brought to the Hakofo area.

“The Rebbe, with the children literally squeezed around the Rebbe, danced with an indescribable simcha, while holding his Sefer Torah. An unforgettable sight.” Rabbi Minkowitz said.

At the Hakhel Kinus in Beth Rivkah the auditorium was decorated to resemble the Beis Hamikdosh and many students dressed like in “the time of the Beis Hamikdosh”. “Kohanim” blew trumpets throughout the school to call everyone to gather in the “Beis Hamikdosh”. Rabbi Leibel Rodal appeared as a “king” and was given a “Sefer Torah” from which the “king” read various pesukim including Shema Yisroel, and reminded the students to increase in Torah and Mitzvos.

Everyone watched a video of the Rebbe and said the 12 pesukim umamorei chazal. This was followed by a moving and emotional singing of “Rebbe we need you,” dancing and giving of Tzedoko. All the children received a “Hakhel souvenir,” sponsored by Mrs. Miriam Davis.

This beautiful Kinus was organized by Mrs. Pessy Minkowitz, Chana Ceitlin, Mushka Gansbourg and Blumi Lison with the help of the High School students.