Los Angeles Pulls Off a Tank

As reported by a participant:

It was just last Tuesday when us LA bochrim sat down, having just returned from our yeshivas abroad. We were filled with lots of chayus when we got the idea to make a “mitzvah tank parade” here in our home town.

It would to be the 1st tank parade in over 16 years to hit up the streets of Los Angeles!! This was our chance to give our “Unzerer Kinder” something they’ve have only seen in videos or maybe just heard about; now they could actually see it with their own eyes!

So a small group of bochrim got to work. There was lots of planning, fundraising and advertising to do. RV’s, signs, t-shirts – the works. The bochurim organized every last detail in this great effort to give the Rebbe the most special birthday present from our community!

With the combined help of the Kol Yakov Yehuda- the Rebbe’s diamond Daveners- and it’s director Rabbi Mendel Duchman, some tyreh Anash, and the Mitzvah Tank offices in New York ,South Florida and Toronto, we were able to pull off this beautiful parade in just one week’s time!

Yud Alef Nissan was a glorious day outside. 300+ boys and girls piled into Cheder Menachem LA’s auditorium to participate in a children’s rally. Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum began inspiring the children about how important this day was and how impressive it was for all of them to come together for the Rebbe’s birthday. Joining with the Rebbe’s rally in front of 770 Eastern Parkway via hook-up, the children beamed as one of their own boys started the morning reciting the Rebbe’s kapitol in New York.

The rally continued with announcing the new ranks of each member of Tzivos Hashem as each soldier stood up and saluted. There were 12 Pesukim ran by Rabbi Duchman and an inspiring story of dollars from the Rebbe told over by Rabbi Mendel Hecht.

LA’s Tzivos Hashem director Rabbi Heidingsfeld concluded the rally with raffles and excitement. Then men, women and children went outside to give the 5-Tanks their tzeitzchem l’sholom as they began their journey parading through the streets of LA.

Starting on La Cieniga blv., the tanks made their way up Pico Blvd, a popular Jewish area. Making a right turn onto Beverlywood Dr, then a left turn onto Wilshire, the Parade entered Beverly Hills. They then made a left turn onto Rodeo Drive and from there the tanks split up to go to the four main Beverly Hill public schools, UCLA Campus, downtown Los Angeles, the world renown Grove shopping center and Larchmont Blvd.

Over 2,000 Matzos were distributed, together with guides, Tzivos Hashem “Kidz” Magazines, Neshek and Tefillins.

To think that a group of 17 year old bochurim could pull something so amazing off, was only with the Koichois of the Rebbe! We hope that this birthday present gave the Rebbe much Nachas from his Kinderlach in Los Angeles.

May we be able to spend Pesach with the Rebbe B’guf eating Karban Pesach in Yerushalayim.

A special thank you to Yoel Vogel, Leibelovitch, YTT Brunoy, our Memunim, Bochurim Staff, drivers and all who helped sponsor this incredible event!