Record Lines at the Rebbe’s Ohel

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Bentzi Sasson

A record number of visitors came from around the world to the Rebbe’s Ohel at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights, Queens, to mark the 23rd yartzeit on Gimmel Tammuz.

While exact numbers weren’t made available by Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch, which oversees activities and accomodations at the holy resting place, people involved noted that it may have been the largest crowd yet.

The estimate was made based on the non-stop pilgrimage to the Ohel, already beginning on Sunday and intensifying on Monday evening and throughout Tuesday.

During the peak hours on Tuesday afternoon, following the reading of the ‘Pan Kloli’, there was a wait time of over 3 hours with the lines extending out of the shaded walkway onto Francis Lewis Boulevard. At one point, the line reached the ‘third house’ of the Ohel homes.

Many used the opportunity to pray, complete Chitas and Rambam studies, say the chapters of Mishnayos for the yartzeit and watch videos of the Rebbe that were played on plasma screens.

At one point, organizers opened a special “express line” for those willing to enter the Ohel through a walking line without stopping. Visitors typically enter in a group and are only alloted 2 minutes inside on this day.

Many traveled for hours to reach this point. One of them was former Israeli minister Gideon Sa’ar who has been on a journey to strengthen his Jewish observance.

In many Chabad centers and shuls, there have been programs preparing Jews from all walks of life for this day. One of the speakers at these events was Rabbi Mendel Feller, director of the Upper Midwest Merkos-Chabad Lubavitch in West St. Paul, Minneasota.

“Gimmel Tammuz is a time for us to connect to the Rebbe, and to be inspired and empowered in word and action,” he told Chabad.org. “That is what I have been focusing on as part of my talks—that the Rebbe inspired and empowered an entire generation, and indeed, a world.”

Yanely Mencia, 29, started attending events at Chabad of Forest Hills North in New York only in the last two months. She has been reading up on the Rebbe, and his life in Europe and America.

“The Rebbe made sure that every Jew has family all over the world through Chabad,” said Mencia. “The Rebbe really loved every single Jew, That alone has inspired me to care more for everyone.”