When Chabad.org’s Rabbi Motti Seligson alerted the Mitzvah Tank Org. about the upcoming Solidarity March over the Brooklyn Bridge, they sprang into action mobilizing its fleet of Mitzvah Tanks and Tankistim.
The event, a march against anti-semitism, beeing sponsors of the UJA-Federation, JCRC, ADL, AJC-NY, and the NYBR was to confront and condemn the attacks Orthodox Jews in New York City.
The Mitzvah Tank Org. under the auspices of Lubavitch Youth Organization sent tens of Bochurim to the event to help the crowd channel their energies into performing Mitzvos on the spot for the protection of Am Yisroel.
Pulling out at 10:30 this morning, the Bochurim filled tanks got there just in time to greet the thousands of demonstrators.
“The Rebbe encouraged us to use every gathering of Jews as an opportunity to increase in Torah and Mitzvos,” said Rabbi Moishe Schmukler, Co-director of Mitzvah Tank Org.
After setting up over 25 Mivtzoim stands, tents and Mivtzah Tanks all around Cadman Plaza Park, Tillary St. and at the exit ramp of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lubavitchers welcomed thousands of Jewish Marchers as they entered Brooklyn.
All in all they managed to wrap Tefillin with over 500 people, distribute over 1000 sets of Neshek, and lots of Tzedaka.
“We were fortunate to have the infrastructure and the Tankistim to mobilize on such short notice,” said Mitzvah Tank Org. Director Rabbi Mordy Hirsch, “Within 24 hours we had tens of volunteers ready to go out and spend the day helping Yidden fight darkness with light.”
He also thanked Rabbi Motti Seligson for getting the wheels turning on this important initiative, as well as Rabbi Choni Leshes of OT Zall, and Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi of 770 for giving special permission for the Tankistim to got during Seder HaYeshiva.
This could not have been possible without the leadership of the Mitzvah Tanks: Dovid Gold, Itche Roness, Beryl Feirstein, and the 50 Tankistim who made it happen, withstanding the frigid temperatures to fulfill the Rebbe’s wishes.
BH there were many many girls and women giving out neshek there. Thousands of neshek handed out!
It was disappointing that there were no black people who felt strongly enough to show up. They showed their true colors – and I don’t mean that colorwise
ummm there were def black people there
When was the last time you showed up to support ANY group but your own?
just curious, were there any ‘karkaftas’?
yes!
Yes
Yes!
How many tefillin today?
There were African Americans at the rally…not many…but they were there. We should recognize their support.
Yes there were African Americans and quite a few. Why are so many of the comments here mostly negative. Question, how many jews show up when there is a press conference against gun violence? Very few. If you are asking this question, please make sure that you show up for others.
Good to see these pictures; the last post of pictures and comments emphasized the lack of participation. Being there and seeing these pictures shows the opposite. At this difficult time we really need to be more positive when people do show up and support.