The Uplifting Talk Rabbi YY Jacobson Gave in Jerusalem

This week marked the 24th Tevet, 210th Yahrtzeit of the Alter Rebbe Z”TL. Chabad Center of Talbiya- Mamilla, directed by Rabbi Eliyahu and Chanie Canterman shares highlights of a historic event honoring Yud Tes Kislev, that brought over 850 guests to their feet in dancing, spirit and song.

The evening welcomed hundreds of guests who poured into the Central Jerusalem venue, who were greeted with a delicious array of refreshments and drinks.
Imbued with the electric energy of ‘Shnat Hakhel’, the event was the pinnacle of all the previous 19 Kislev celebrations at the Great Synagogue in the past decade.

“This is an atmosphere only to be found in Jerusalem,” commented Shiran Katz, an annual guest at the Yud Tet Kislev gatherings.

Mishael Vardi emceed the evening and as he introduced the singer and speaker of the night, there was thunderous applause from the crowd, including many youth from yeshivot and colleges, waiting to be inspired.

Yechezkel Elad, a Jewish artist living in Israel who is battling liver cancer, was invited to raffle of his prize piece of art – A painting of the Rebbe which sold for the sum of 5400 NIS.

World renowned singer/songwriter Alex Clare was guest performer of the evening, singing Chabad Niggunim with his breathtaking voice, as he shared anecdotes of each niggun. He was accompanied by renowned flutist Shmuel Allouche and guest musicians.

There was an outburst of enthusiasm, spontaneous joy and dancing- the likes of which has never before been seen at The Great Synagogue.

Honored guest Avi Kaye (father of Eli H”Y”D who was murdered last year on the 17th Kislev on his way to the Kotel), was welcomed to the stage to share astounding words of chizzuk and Emunah.

When keynote speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson entered the hall, welcomed by Rabbi Chaim Farro, he received a standing ovation even before he began to speak. He noted the last time he had spoken in the Synagogue – exactly ten years prior to this evening.

Rabbi Y.Y. reached into the souls of his listeners, sharing rare anecdotes, in addition to tools with which to face and embrace challenges and traumas in the past and present.

He was able to bring down profound concepts of Chassidus to the audience, delivering a magnificent, uplifting and relevant message which touched the hearts of a crowd that spanned three generations.

Each one left with his/her own ‘uvchen’, to take home. Or that was the plan.

However, at the close of the talk, Rabbi Jacobson was unable to leave the hall as hundreds of guests gathered around him, begging to hear more.

This morphed into what became a full-fledged, grand farbrengen, which continued well into the early hours of the next morning, a Hakhel event in Jerusalem long to remembered.
Heartfelt Hakarat Hatov goes to the tireless and dedicated team headed by Rabbi Berel and Chayale Fayershtein, who brought this project to fruition.

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Photo credits Ephraim Allouche
Video Alex Gorev