Shabbat, July, 2, 2022, marked 28 years since the passing of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. The days surrounding the anniversary, 3 Tammuz on the Hebrew calendar, were marked by millions of people in every corner of the world who have been touched by the Rebbe’s love, his profound teachings and by the 5,000 emissary couples he sent to invigorate and revitalize Jewish life in 110 countries and thousands of cities.
Communities held gatherings and farbrengens on or close to the date, and 50,000 people visited the Ohel, the Rebbe’s resting place in Queens, N.Y., in the days leading up to the third of Tammuz. In keeping with the Rebbe’s lifetime goals and teachings, millions of people throughout the world have been participating in prayers, lectures, gatherings, tributes and the additional performance of good deeds in the Rebbe’s memory.
The day was spent by many in deep reflection and prayer, studying the Rebbe’s teachings, especially the last discourse he released, with a rededication to the mission the Rebbe charged humanity with: to change the world with goodness and kindness and usher in the final redemption. There are many customs related to the day itself, which can be found along with a wealth of information and inspiration in a special section devoted to 3 Tammuz on Chabad.org.
For more than seven decades—since the passing of the Rebbe’s father-in-law, the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory—the small open-air structure at the Old Montefiore cemetery in Queens has been a place where Jews from all walks of life pour their hearts out in prayer—a place to beseech G‑d, invoking the merit of the holy tzaddikim who rest there. Upon the Rebbe’s passing, more people than ever began to gather there, especially on significant days, such as his yahrtzeit, when more than 50,000 pass through the unassuming structure. The Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch Visitor Center was built, so the influx of visitors can study Torah, pray, write a prayer petition note to read and place at the Ohel, and join farbrengens.
In addition to the many thousands who visited in-person, many around the world sent in their personal prayer petitions by email to be delivered to the Ohel. Staff print thousands of papers and tear them—to protect the petitioner’s privacy—before placing them at the Ohel, where they join a massive mound of papers. Periodically, staff collect the papers and burn them as per the Rebbe’s instructions.
A Young Israel Rabbi and Rebbe’s Widespread Impact
In Sharon, Mass., Rabbi Noah Cheses of Young Israel of Sharon encouraged his community to mark the Rebbe’s yahrtzeit and attend a gathering featuring guest speaker Rabbi Shais Taub at Congregation Beth El in nearby Newton, Mass., on June 29.
Cheses says the Rebbe had a deep impact on his life. Growing up attending Newton’s Adams Street Shul, his childhood rabbi was Rabbi Zalman Gurkow, today co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Nashoba Valley in northern Massachusetts.
“Rabbi Gurkow taught me the Rebbe’s teachings,” Cheses tells Chabad.org. “I remember reading the Rebbe’s talks in the shul, constantly coming back to the theme of Ahavat Yisrael, ‘loving your fellow Jew.’ The example that the Rebbe set is one that emanates in so much of what I do, trying to get beyond serving my community; extending my efforts beyond the shul membership.”
Cheses says he often quotes the Rebbe’s teaching from the pulpit, and his community has a growing appreciation for the Rebbe—“some because of the services they’ve received from Chabad in different places, or from visiting Chabad.org, or a direct connection they have with a local Chabad center.”
Events similar to the one in Newton were held in communities around the world. At Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, an “infusion of inspiration and melody” took place on June 30, featuring veteran South African Rabbi Yossy Goldman; Avi Kay, father of Eli Kay, who was gunned down in a terror attack earlier this year; and Chassidic singer Eli Marcus.
That influence from the Rebbe’s emissaries is what brought David Rozenfeld, 28, of Toronto, to the Rebbe’s Ohel on June 28, with his rabbi, Rabbi Shmuel Neft, co-director of JRCC Rockford in the Toronto suburbs. Born just before the Rebbe’s passing, Rozenfeld says he feels a close connection with the Rebbe. “I was raised more secular,” he explains, “the biggest influence in my life was the Rebbe and his Toronto emissaries. Whenever I have the opportunity, I stop by the Ohel and connect to Hashem.”
“I remember reading how the Rebbe built on the idea of the Peace Corps, to serve your country by going beyond your country; we serve G‑d by going beyond the organized Jewish community,” Cheses reflects. “It has compelled me to think beyond the narrow confines of the Orthodox community, to be invested in Jews of all backgrounds because of our shared destiny.”
“One man can have such a great influence,” agrees Rozenfeld.
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