Gimmel Tamuz, thousands come in from around the world to spent their Shabbos and ‘two minutes’ at the Ohel, the planning, cost and logistics are all taken care of by a group of people who their devotion and dedication cannot go unnoticed.
Starting with Rabbi Abba Refson, who takes care of the Ohel on a day to day basis all year, his brother Rabbi Yossi Refson who took care of planning the weekend of Gimmel Tamuz, and Rabbi Dovid Shputz of the Vaad HaMesader who stood for 25 hours ushering people in and out of the Ohel, a job which is both needed and disliked.
Around 30,000 People and 60,000 Panim!
Gimmel Tamuz, thousands come in from around the world to spent their Shabbos and ‘two minutes’ at the Ohel, the planning, cost and logistics are all taken care of by a group of people who their devotion and dedication cannot go unnoticed.
Starting with Rabbi Abba Refson, who takes care of the Ohel on a day to day basis all year, his brother Rabbi Yossi Refson who took care of planning the weekend of Gimmel Tamuz, and Rabbi Dovid Shputz of the Vaad HaMesader who stood for 25 hours ushering people in and out of the Ohel, a job which is both needed and disliked.
Police estimated 20,000 people went through the gates of the Ohel, while the organizers estimate a more hefty 30,000. That is in addition to well over 60,000 Panim that were sent in to the Ohel both by fax and email from those who could not make it in person.
Sources within the organizers told CrownHeights.info that the weekend costs upwards up $130,000, parts of which is covered by the ‘on the spot’ donations given in the Pushkas along with the contributions from people for the event.
Over Shabbos more than 2,500 stayed at the Ohel in the houses, RV’s and tents, some were even scene strewn about on the lawns of the houses asleep. The RV’s were arranged by the Ohel and paid for by those who stayed in them.
Mendy
“a job which is both needed and disliked” – Reb Dovid, you did an amazing job. Let me bless you that soon you will be the vaad hamesader in 770 – in Yerusholaim!
OTnick
why dont you say how long the line was?! it was 2 hours(for two minits)!
bucher
Thank you Rabbi Refson, Rabbi shputz and everyone else for the time, effort and money you put in ensuring that tens of thousands of people were able to have the experiance of spending “Two holy minutes” by the Rebbe on such a Holy day.
CHer
It was more than 50,000 people
Friend
Dovid, you’re amazing!!!
dovi
Rabbi Sputz, Your job is a tough one and undesirable no doubt. I commend you for the courage to do it. However, I would like to make one request in public.
We all know how difficult and tedious a task it is to keep th line moving forward and having to deal with disobedient people. You must remember though that A: this is the Rebbe’s ohel and sometimes, the way you convey your message to the congregated people, it seems as though you have forgotten or are unaware of where you are. B: This isn’t camp. You aren’t the head counselor. There are all kinds of people here. When you mistreat one of you own, it doesn’t go unnoticed by others too. The way I saw you slam someones Maane Lashon shut, utterly shocked me.
It’s true the fellow may have not listened to you right away, but some decent derech eretz is expected.
I hope that what I experienced was an isolated act and that you don’t use carte blanche to do so incessantly. I hope your job becomes easier. in fact I hope you needn’t do it anymore as the Rebbe will be back leading bne israel from Jeusalem bimiheira biyameinu!!!
moshe
to dovi what would you like him to do when there are thousands waiting to go in and you have a person that does not leave i personly said my maneh loshen on the line and walken in and out of the ohel being that i live close i feel that i should let other pepole have there minute… maybe for gimmul tamuz they should make it a simple walk thrue
history
to dovi:
it was not any diffrent by the rebbes dollers.
when moshiach comes we will have to do the same thing g-d willing.
your not the only one you know.
To Dovi
I think the problem is with the “akshen” who was inconsidereate enough to say Maaneh lashon knowing thousands of people are waiting.
Such holier-than-thou behavior does not belog in Lubavitch and defnitly not while standing in front of the rebbe!
dovi
I agree with evertyhing you are all saying and if you reread my comment you’ll see that we share the same sentiment. The request that I am making to Dovid Sputz and for that matter anyone else eearing his shoes is just to do what you have to in a mentshliche way. You can convey your message without pushing and yelling in a nasty way. There was no need in that instance to throw a Maane Lashon to the ground. All I ask is that the job be done qithout violence or as a dovor acher. I know it’s tough and I commend your courage, but a tad more consdieration & derech eretz will go a long ways….!