66 Tanks Take on New York

Photos: Baruch Ezagui

65 Mitzvah Tanks drove from Brooklyn to Manhattan on Tuesday, honoring the 114th anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, pioneer of global Jewish outreach.

The Annual Pre-Passover Mitzvah Tank parade consisted of converted motor homes and their crews of rabbinical students traveled throughout the NYC metropolitan area, encouraging people to increase in acts of goodness and kindness.

It departed from Lubavitch World headquarters in Crown Heights and crossed the Manhattan Bridge, north on 6th Avenue until 59th Street. Accompanied by the NYPD, it then continued south on 5th Ave until 23rd St.

The signs and chassidic music caught the attention of scores of men, women and children who were invited to come on board and do a mitzvah, a good deed to bring more holiness, goodness and kindness into the world.

‘Tanks’ were equipped with Passover needs for the upcoming holiday, including hand-baked Shmura Matzah. People also had the opportunity to don the Tefillin and pray, receive Shabbat candles and inspirational literature for Jews and non-Jews.

Following the parade they will disperse to various locations throughout the city spreading the message of Passover to the Jews of New York.

“The Mitzvah Tank Parade is a most appropriate way to honor the Rebbe,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director Lubavitch Youth Organization, Chairman of the Mitzvah Tanks.

“As the army tanks, the Rebbe explained, are made to bridge a gap of space and the Mitzvah Tanks reach out, bridge gaps between people and bring unity and harmony.”