Largest Hakhel Event in the World

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Chaim Twito

It’s being called this year’s largest Hakhel gathering of unity in the world.

Over 13,000 men, women and children converged on the Arna stadium in Jerusalem in celebration of the Rebbe‘s 114th birthday on the 11th of Nissan.

Organized by the Chabad establishment in Israel, it was an opportunity to unite Chassidim around the Rebbe’s mission to bring the light of Pesach to fellow Jews.

Despite the many preparations people are busy with this week, thousands were seen coming from around the country in private and public transportation to participate in this historic event.

The program gave voice to all ages participating with the emceeing of the event being shared by Rabbi Menachem Kenig – Mashgiach of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Lod, young activist Rabbi Binyomin Wilhelm and the boy Menachem Mendel Batashvilli.

The Rebbe’s new Kapital in Tehillim was recited by Tzfas Shliach Rabbi Yosef Chitrik. A Tzivos Hashem – Hapanasa’im boys choir and Chassidic singers Nemuel Harrosh and Simcha Friedman sang Chabad melodies.

Throughout the evening, rare and marvelous video clips of the Rebbe were shown on the large screens. In them, the Rebbe spoke about the importance and opportunity to unite Jews in a Hakhel.

A highlight of the event was a live broadcast from the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens, NY. Reading the general ‘pan’ on behalf of the public was Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International.

The heartfelt reading of the requests of the Chabad public stuck a cord among the hears of young and old. This deep expression of Hiskashrus was later expressed in joyous dancing with firm believe in the immediate coming of Moshiach.