Mitzvah Tanks And Tankistim Enhance Jewish Solidarity March

Bochurim withstand the frigid cold to help hundreds of people put on Tefilin and do Mitzvos in an effort to fight darkness with light.

When chabad.org’s Rabbi Motti Zeligson alerted the Mitzvah Tank Org. about the upcoming Solidarity March over the Brooklyn Bridge,

they sprang into action mobilizing it’s fleet of Mitzvah Tanks and Tankistim.

The event, a march against anti-semitism, beeing sponsors of the UJA-Federation, JCRC, ADL, AJC-NY, and the NYBR was to confront and condemn the attacks Orthodox Jews in New York City.

The Mitzvah Tank Org. under the auspices of Lubavitch Youth Organization sent tens of Bochurim to the event to help the crowd channel their energies into performing Mitzvos on the spot for the protection of Am Yisroel.

Pulling out at 10:30 this morning, the Bochurim filled tanks got there just in time to greet the thousands of demonstrators.

“The Rebbe encouraged us to use every gathering of Jews as an opportunity to increase in Torah and Mitzvos” said Rabbi Moishe Schmukler Co-director of Mitzvah Tank Org.

After setting up over 25 Mivtzoim stands, tents and Mivtzah Tanks all around Cadman Plaza Park, Tillary St. and at the exit ramp of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lubavitchers welcomed thousands of Jewish Marchers as they entered Brooklyn.

All in all they managed to wrap Tefillin with over 500 people, distribute over 1000 sets of Neshek, and lots of Tzedaka.

“We were fortunate to have the infrastructure and the Tankistim to mobilize on such short notice,” said Mitzvah Tank Org. Director Rabbi Mordy Hirsch, “Within 24 hours we had tens of volunteers ready to go out and spend the day helping Yidden fight darkness with light”

He also thanked Rabbi Motti Zeligson for getting the wheels turning on this important initiative, as well as Rabbi Choni Leshes of OT Zall, and Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi of 770 for giving special permission for the Tankistim to got during Seder HaYeshiva.

This could not have been possible without the leadership of the Mitzvah Tanks: Dovid Gold, Itche Roness, Beryl Feirstein, and the 50 Tankistim who made it happen, withstanding the frigid temperatures to fulfil the Rebbe’s wishes.