The Event That Changed My Life

Last year, my husband and I decided to travel with the entire family, to New York for Gimmel Tammuz. This would be the first time our children would be at 770, and the Ohel.

As both my husband and I grew up in Crown Heights, we prepared our children for their first visit to the Rebbe. We explained them how when we were kids, our entire life was based around the Rebbe. From the Farbrengens, and dollars, to the rally’s and parades, the Rebbe was our life.

On our flight, while over telling some childhood memories, my 6-year-old Chayele turned to me and asked the question which shook me to the core. “Mommy, so will we also have all this, when we get to New York?” I changed the conversation, however the question, echoed my ears.

When we got to Crown Heights, one of the many things we saw, were signs and posters advertising an event that was to take place that night on Eastern Parkway, titled ‘an hour with the Rebbe’.

Growing up in Crown Heights, I know that the only Jewish event to close off Eastern Parkway was the Lag B’omer parades which the Rebbe would attend. This meant a major event was to take place that night, one which our children should experience.

However, my husband said that it’s not right to keep the kids up so late at night, after all, they just landed. And anyhow, the kids can’t understand the Rebbe either way. I insisted. When we were children, we always went to Farbrengens, why should our kids be different? My husband finally agreed.

As soon as we arrived at my in-laws, we told the kids that they must take a nap, for they were about to experience something special.

As we started walking down Kingston, towards Eastern Parkway, seeing so many fellow Lubavitchers walking that same direction, began giving me chills. remembering how the Bochurim would run each time the Rebbe came out, how we would rush to the Farbrengens, or wait patiently on the dollar lines.

We got to Eastern Parkway, the power we then felt is indescribable. The Pesukim, the Sichos, the Niggunim, EVERYTHING, was just the real thing. Real Rebbe, Real Lubavitch.

I have never felt so connected to the Rebbe since Gimmel Tammuz 5754, never before was I so certain that the Rebbe would come out and be Nisgale at that very moment.

Since that very day, the Rebbe wasn’t an unusual topic at our supper table, my children began living with the Rebbe like never before. It was from then, that my Levi asks me almost daily ‘Mommy, can you show me today’s Rebbe video?’ I can clearly say, that over the last year, our Chasidishkeit, the atmosphere of living with the Rebbe and Moshiach has advanced tremendously, thanks to this event.

Although this year, my family won’t be able to make it to the main event on Eastern Parkway, we will join our community, and watch it live. I urge all those who will be lucky and be in the Rebbe’s Daled Amos this Gimmel Tammuz, go to this event, AND TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TOO. It will change your lives forever. To those that – like me – won’t be in Crown Heights, arrange a live event in your community. And last but not least, for those that financially can, support the one event that unites the entire family of Chassidim as one, connecting us to the Rebbe.

The event will take place in front of 770 Eastern Parkway, and is scheduled for Thursday evening, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, June 18th, 8:30 – 9:30 PM.

Each Chabad community worldwide will additionally gather in their community Shul, to watch this historic event. To arrange the gathering in your community, email [email protected]

The event has a $40,000 budget, which isn’t being funded by any specific organization. Please donate generously to the expenses of this event by clicking here.