Shliach Counts 10,000 Visitors

By COLlive reporter

Chabad of Playa del Carmen in Mexico counted over 10,000 people who have passed through its open doors and enjoyed its welcoming environment.

Tourists from Australia, Russia, South Africa, Europe and North and Latin America are delighted to discover a home away from home in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

To be exact, the Shliach Rabbi Mendel Goldberg reports that in addition to the record amount of visitors In the last 2 months, they served 6000 Shabbos and holiday meals at no charge.

And to assist with the growing Jewish activities in the scuba-diving haven, Goldberg brought down bochurim and a couple, Rabbi Eliezer and Chayky Lyons to join the Chabad staff.

The added support resulted in heightened numbers attending Rosh Hashana services (700), a special shofar blowing (250) and hundreds more that heard the sound on the streets upon encountering the Chabad men.

Yom Kippur saw 450 people from all backgrounds packing the shul during Neila. “We needed to take out chairs to make more room,” said Rabbi Goldberg who has been directing Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Playa Del Carmen for the last 3 years.

Rabbi and Mrs. Lyon also added a new custom to the Shabbos meals – “Oneg Shabbos,” relaxed shmoozing sessions where participants share a personal story or experience, sing a niggun or Jewish song and connect.

Another option for travelers to meet and chat is Chabad’s kosher restaurant, open every day at a major discount price for the backpackers, subsidized by Chabad of Cancun. They can also put on Tefillin, say a prayer, request information or assistance or sit to learn.

During chol hamoed Sukkos, a mobile Sukkah on a tricycle made its rounds on the streets of the small beach resort city.

“Many people asked to take photos with it so we invited them in to make a bracha,” said Eli Weissberg, a bochur who came to help for Tishrei.

“Until the last day of Sukkos, we still had dozens of tourists who just arrived in Playa and needed to say “Shechyanu” for shaking the lulav for the first time this year. I wish wrapping Tefillin would would be so easy.”

Rabbi Goldberg thanked all those who supports the activities, in particular Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and the Nigri family of Brazil.