Soul Trip Includes Pleasantries

By COLlive reporter

This year’s Soul Trippers from Atlanta were treated to a day of learning, sight-seeing, and shmoozing.

It was the annual trip made to New York as a preparation for Rosh Hashana. The group was comprised of members of Chabad of GA (Rabbi Yossi New, Rabbi Ari Karp), Chabad of Cobb (Rabbi Ephraim Silverman) and
Chabad Intown (Rabbi Eliyahu Shusterman).

Their New York adventures began with a visit to the Ohel, resting place of the Rebbe they had an opportunity to reflect and learn about what people do at the Rebbe’s grave.

Next it was on to the Crown Heights neighborhood to visit Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters. Participants were able to go into the Rebbe’s room and daven Mincha.

They also got to visit the Rebbe’s home on President Street and met with Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, the Rebbe’s Mazkir and Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.

Rabbi Krinsky spoke to the group in the Rebbe’s house concluding with wishes of a great new year. Following that they were treated to a New York pickle and herring tasting from Benz’s presented at the Shluchim Office.

Next, they learned the inside scoop about Williamsburg, New York, home to people from a variety of religious Jewish groups.

Members of the group noted in the area advertisements for Sukkahs, hats, and the fact that many apartments are built with special diagonally built balconies that are just large enough for a kosher sukkah.

Michael Kessler of Atlanta said he gained a new understanding of the differences between the Chassidic sects in Williamsburg and Chabad.

Kessler added that he learned a great deal about Rebbe’s history, and felt a “spiritual connection with the Rebbe’s teachings through his dealing with with the Chabad Rabbis on the trip… that the Rabbis interact with people in a warm, non-judgmental, down to earth way.”