Snow flurries began to fall, as buses of Jewish teens arrived at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens on Sunday, letters in hand and coats pulled tight. For many of the 4,578 teens attending the CTeen International Shabbaton, this was the quietest moment of the weekend.
At the close of CTeen’s main event at Nassau Coliseum, a pre-Ohel program prepared the teens for the visit. They heard from five CTeen alums, who shared their personal connection to the Rebbe. The room, which had been jumping with music and energy just minutes earlier, became reflective.
“The feeling I get when I walk into the Rebbe’s resting place is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said Sara Strent, from Long Island, “It’s like I get chills and I feel so connected to him. Almost every time I come here, you feel relieved and good because you feel like someone’s listening.”
Another teen spoke about what drew her to the Ohel. “The Rebbe’s legacy lives on,” she said. “People come into the room and there are tears on their faces. They’re still so affected by this ability to have this mentor who teaches them a way of living life in such a pure and holy way. When you come to the Rebbe’s Ohel, you feel sort of relaxed, because you just got something off your chest, something you’ve been wanting to express.”
“One of the most important things we do at the Shabbaton is bring these teens to the Rebbe’s Ohel,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International. “it becomes a spiritual anchor for them as they return home to their communities”
The lights in the coliseum lowered. A video of the Rebbe played on the screens. Then thousands of teens sat quietly with pen and paper and wrote their panim, personal letters to be placed at the Rebbe’s Ohel. For many, it was their first time writing to the Rebbe, and the start of a long lasting connection.
They boarded the buses and headed to the Ohel just as the snow began to fall. Bundled up in coats and scarves, they stood in line awaiting their moment.
With thousands of teens visiting the Ohel over the course of the Shabbaton, many groups were staggered throughout the weekend, split by language and region, each with its own tailored pre-program. Spanish-speaking teens, French delegations, Hebrew speakers, and English groups each had dedicated sessions before making the trip to Queens.
