Going Holy Hog: Hasidic Bikers Spread the Word
A tough-looking, leather-clad gang of Hasidic bikers who call themselves “Rebbe’s Riders” are cruising the tri-state area, bringing God’s word to other motorcycle-riding Jews they meet on the road.
The Riders — members of the Brooklyn-based Lubavitch sect — say their love of choppers gives them something in common with Jews who might have strayed onto the Highway to Hell.
“If a rabbi walks into a bikers club, he doesn’t exactly fit in. But if he comes riding up on a bike, doors open to him,” said Jonah Halper, 30, who founded the Riders earlier this year.
“[Some fellow Jews] make comments that what we do is not a Jewish thing. They say, ‘How can you ride bikes as Jews and say it’s for a Jewish purpose?’ ” Halper said.
On the road, the Riders get more respect — especially from other bikers.
“No one sees the Rebbe’s Riders and says, ‘Who are you guys?’ ” Halper said. “It’s not like the Crips and Bloods. There’s a certain kind of respect you have for other riders that transcends lifestyle or creed. When we pass a gang on the road, they wave and we wave back.”
They sport cool colors — T-shirts with a logo of a bearded Hasid wearing a wide-brimmed fedora and cool sunglasses, à la ZZ Top.
Since their founding earlier this year, the Riders say they have befriended several non-religious Jews at biker gatherings — some of whom rode with them in a Jewish parade in Crown Heights in May.
“A lot of bikers have this rough image with their jeans and vests and tats, but they’re really not that way when you talk to them,” said member Moshe Reitman, 60, who, unlike some of his Harley-riding brethren, rides a red Honda ST11.
The Riders’ moniker was inspired by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, whose thousands of disciples proselytize around the world.
“I get that the Hells Angels have a negative connotation, but there’s not something inherently wrong with a motorcycle gang if there’s a higher purpose,” Halper said. “That’s a good thing. Debauchery is a bad thing.”
With a broken heart
OY Meh Hoya Lonu,,,, Go ahead,, u enlightened Lubavitchers who tell me I am wrong,,, This new line of Lubavitch Light is just so pathetic,, Rebbe,, U can do something about this,, BRING MOSHIACH NOW!!!
Srulik
Riding a motorcycle – a kippah is not enough. WHERE ARE YOUR HELMETS??
Remember Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev
Number #1, you are incorrect.
Your eyes start from Lubavitch and lead you to the motorcycle. (Which, by the way, there is nothing wrong with motorcycles.)
But what you seem not to realize is that others Start from the motorcycle, and lead their way to Lubavitch.
A little Berditchev thinking would do you good, and healthy, in Chodesh Elul.
mendel
wow how low have we gone. do it at ur own free will, but in the name of lubavitch? in the name of the rebbe? pathetic.
HELMETS!!!!!!!
Even though someone already posted I will reiterate in the strongest way possible
WHERE ARE YOUR HELMETS!!!!
Mechillah in order
Shameful on many levels – What next? It’s not the motorcycle – it’s ALL it represents – and to call themselves Rebbe’s riders ? ! I think they need to ask MECHILLAH from our Rebbe. NO LESS
Helmets
If you have NO HEAD why would you need helmets
AA
#1, #4, and #6:
Perhaps you can explain, without the overwrought language, just what is Jewishly or Chassidishly objectionable about riding a motorcycle?
BENNY
TO ELI AND THE REST.
IF YOU DO EVEN ONE MIVTZAH THEN THE WHOLE THING IS WORTH WHILE.
THERE IS A SHOE THAT FITS EACH PERSON.
IF THIS IS YOUR SHOE THEN WEAR IT, AND DO GOOD.
AND YOU WILL ALWAYS MAKE THE REBBE PROUD.
ps. with your wifes ok :)
pps. for all of you with bad comments, as long as your crusing the internet, they can cruise the streets, you might be watching shmoots, they might be doing a mitzvah,
So lets assumer we are all doing good instead.
tracht gut vet zain gut.
Neshama
To all who have written the negative comments, who have the “I’m better than that” attitude, How muck keruv have you done and how many Jews have you brought back to Torah? What would the Rebbe say about this…I think that he’d bless them and wish these guys well.
Jonah Halper
Friends,
The riders in the photo all wear helmets. This was just a photo. All the riders take safety very seriously. The Torah says we need to take care of our bodies, so we take no shortcuts.
As for #6 and anyone else who believes motorcycles “represent” something negative, please understand that nothing is inherently wrong with the bike…its the biker gangs and groups that create the negative behavior around it. With so many Jews on bikes around the US, how can it be a bad thing to bring them closer to yiddishkeit through a motorcycle group that looks to teach and lead by example?
This isn’t a Jewish culture group. It’s a group that looks to bring Jews on the road to their local chabad houses and our way to make a powerful and positive impression. You are welcome.
nice
I think its awesome! Riding and being frum don’t clash….
Jewish Girl
Keep up the good work! I think people forget that not every jew is in 770, and that there are hundreds of thousands of Jews out there in the world who all need to be reached in their own way!
whether you find a Jew scuba-diving, fishing, hiking, or biking!
That’s what Chabad is all about, and clearly those wasting their time to spew negative comments and browse internet pages just to do so, are obviously missing a huge spark of Lubavitch! I hope they find it soon!
I LOVE EVERYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!
may G-d forgive us all
A Bearded Beacher
Next: The Movie Machers, cruising the theaters to make baalei teshuva.
take a chitas
If there’s no room for a chitas on their bikes, they should get the microfilmed one and put it on their bike or helmet.