In JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 on a bright, Thursday afternoon hundreds assembled in a cordoned off area for a ceremony attended by prominent officials from the Airport’s administration and El-Al Airlines.
Attendees were family, friends and supporters who gathered in tribute of Rabbi Yekusiel Menachem Rapp OBM — the legendary Mashgiach of 770 and Shliach to the Airport and El-Al for decades. They participated in a Chanukas Habayis of Chabad of the Airport that will continue his life’s work, and to launch a Matchathon campaign until his Yahrtzait. On this day his family marked the completion of the eleven months of Kaddish.
The Chanukas Habayis celebrated the tremendous success and expansion of Chabad of the Airport over the past year’s, but the event’s highlight was the unveiling of a masterpiece: a finely, crafted, custom-designed Mivtzoim station that will lend permanence and an air of professionalism to the continually growing activities at the Airport. The station was generously sponsored by the children of the Winter family in meritorious memory of their mother, Mrs. Chana Winter OBM.
Video: Chabad at the Airport
Rabbi Mendel Shagalov emceed the hour-long event, having always considered Rabbi Rapp a friend, and himself having volunteered in Airport outreach in his youth. Featured speakers included President and CEO of Terminal 4, Mr. Gert-Jan de Graaff, followed by an emotional El-Al Manager Gil Rudimaski, who had garnered a personal friendship with “Rabbi Kutti”, as he fondly called him, over the years.
Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, Chaplain to the Port Authority, thanked the Port Authority officials and security personnel for their support, including Inspector John Roland, Captain Belluci, US Custom’s Officer Emanual Almag, TSA Manager John Sheeron and Chaplain Rabbi Melnicke. R’ Carlebach also conveyed the blessing of senior Rav Rabbi Yaakov Shwei on behalf of the Crown Heights Beis Din.
Rabbi Ari Korenblat, the airport’s Jewish chaplain, congratulated Chabad on the event, and compared the new station to the Mizbeach in the Beis Hamikdosh about which it says “Zeh Hashulchan Asher Lifnei Hashem” — This is the table which is before Hashem.
R. Yossi Rapp, director of Chabad of the Airport, delivered a moving description of his father’s request from him hours before his tragic passing — to see to it that the new station is installed and ready to service the many Jewish travelers. The unveiling brought to fruition a final request of Rabbi Rapp. As his son Yossi soon revealed, this was a request he received from his father just hours before the accident.
In a show of gratitude and appreciation for their unyielding support, R’ Yossi Rapp presented awards to President and CEO Mr. Gert-Jan de Graaf, VP of operations Susana Chuna, El-Al Manager Eli Shitrit, and airport Chaplain Rabbi Ari Korenblat.
The personal encounters, extolling the deep bond and decades-long partnership between El-Al and Chabad, with wishes for many more years of continued solidarity. Chabad of the Airport working together with El-Al and the Airport’s mission, we can safely assume that the needs of passengers, both spiritual and physical, will be well cared for.
Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to enjoy a delightful buffet of fruit, sushi, and pastries, generously sponsored by the finest local establishments: Mr. Greens, Sushi Spot, and Wholesome Bagels, respectively.
To participate in the Matchathon campaign to support Chabad of the Airport’s ongoing activities, click here.
Much Hatzlacha to Yossi in your great and holy work!
Everyone please open your hearts and wallets and donate!!
Only simchos and nachas Feigy
1 of your many good friends !! 👍
Yossi is a great guy.
A friend.
none of the bochurim in the video doing mivtzoim are tucked in. its not a mivtza to look like a shlump. why must we make Judaism look ridiculous? realize what you represent! when a chosid is in public people are looking at you and its important to make a positive impression
Yossi, you are a real inspiration. Although you have suffered from a great loss in your life you are still a chosid and carry on your father work. may you go from strenth to strenth and have revealed good.
Great work Yossel I am sure your father is getting a lot of Nachas from this work
So happy to see, I am sure R kuti will have so much nachas,
May yossel have much hatzlocho, such a great guy,
wow beautiful that is a really nice thank you very much for sharing this with us we want moshiach now we don’t want to wait
You and your family should have only revealed simchas!
Hatzlacha Raba Reb Yossel, Faigy and family!
Tamar Adelstein
rabbi rapp is definitely looking down on us and smiling
may his neshama have an alliah he was a true blue
yid in every way
may hashem grant all of you his family much mazel nachas
and simchas b’krov mamash
May his Neshoma have an aliya
Great cause and Reb Yossel is really Taking his father’s special projects to the next level. I’YH the community will really come out and help support #ChabadAir…