The newly implemented “31st Hilula Framework – Gimmel Tammuz 5785” has proven to exceed all expectations.
The groundbreaking initiative—approved by the heads of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov and Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky—was overseen by the local Shliach Rabbi Avraham Abba Refson, with Reb Mendy Kulski entrusted to coordinate the new system. The result was an unprecedented level of efficiency in managing the line of 200,000 men and women who came to the Rebbe’s holy Ohel on the day of the yartzeit, Gimmel Tammuz.
In rare and powerful footage captured by photojournalist Baruch Gudlevsky, who climbed a ladder outside the Ohel structure, we get a glimpse of just one hour of the full 24-hour nonstop pilgrimage. The video shows the men’s line concluding, as organizers open the section for women. A few minutes later, the women finish their visit and a new wave of men enters once again.
The Rebbe’s Ohel is the most visited Jewish site in the world—with close to one million visitors each year. The site remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
According to the command center’s data, 200,000 people passed through the Ohel on Gimmel Tammuz alone—men, women, and children. Despite the intense New York heat, the crowd moved in an orderly and professionally organized fashion.
The video shows the entrance on one side, the swift passage past the holy resting places of the Rebbe and the Frierdiker Rebbe, the placement of the panim on the ever-growing pile, and the new exit route carved into the northern wall of the structure.
VIDEO
Two points
1. Is there really a need for that many ushers in the Ohel?
2. Wouldn’t it be appropriate that the ushers dress appropriately for the Ohel?
Too many usherers.
Cool video . Although I understand why it’s just a “moving line” at the ohel on certain days, I think the system can be done a bit different. Firstly, there are WAY too many “officers” in the ohel – physically and emotionally pushing people along. It’s alot. You’re just trying to get your moment to say a kapitel of tehillim or rip your pan, and you’re being overwhelmed with “go” “move” “keep walking” Uch. Was not pleasant. Two or three people there to keep on top of the general flow is understandable; there were literally 8-10 of them. It’s too… Read more »
They had this system 4 or 5 years ago where everyone got like 2-3 minutes and the wait on line was 5-6 hours if you did not skip…
Really glad you’re not in charge. Let’s do some math. How many people can fit in the ohel at once? Prob not more than 50 or 60. But even if you stuff it till the brim it’s not more than 100. So if you give everyone 5 min like you suggest, that would be 100 people every 5 min which means about 1200 people an hr. So for the full 24hr period only 28,800 people can make it to the ohel. And that’s without factoring in the time it takes between groups. The article says that 200,000 people came on… Read more »
That is how it’s been for years.
Was not a good system.
At times the line was 4+ hours.
Totally agree
Don’t need more than two
They used to do 2 minutes with a timer it was no less stressful and if they were to do that, the wait time weeks go up from 3 hours with this continuous line to probably 6-7 hours
That was the old system and it didn’t work
the last they gave 2 minutes inside, the line was like 5-5 hours, so u suggesting the line should be like 10 hours?
BH that there are people that are leading the ohel in a most respectful manner. I wish I would be able to have that same clean spiritual and respectful experience in 770 and I hope one day soon it can be that way. May it be with moshiach.
I am sure so much work, time, effort and planing goes into making it run so smoothly. thank you Rabbi Refson and the security and maintenance team for making this effort that bore such results. may we merit very soon vehikitzu veranenu…
I think the ohel became a place with too many restriction you can’t say a lechaim for your son bar mitzvah you can’t say a lechaim for your son upshernish, your can’t take picture, they need to relax and chilled and let ppl have a positive experience to many police officers to many people controlling the place enough it’s enough
Please understand that they tried this for 28 years already. If there was a non stop line for
They did that for many years. And 2 min, not 5. The lines were way too long.
Also. Please consider that the line moved nonstop for over 24 hours straight.
Also. By the Rebbe, ppl had a half second. Legit. The view ppl get from watching jem videos is that everyone had a conversation. That was the exception, not the norm. You got a dollar, Bracha vhatzlocha and that was it.
And yes. They pushed ppl then too.
For even the short few seconds we’re allowed in, we’re not even granted quiet
Way too many ushers in the Ohel, too pushy for no reason and way too loud with their unnecessary comments and ordering around, at a time when people are trying to concentrate for a few moments
I’m curious who those people who got to stay for longer in between the 2 doors, who are they, and how were they allowed to stay there longer?