Over 3000 People Join Chabad Of The Conejo For Yom Kippur At 3 Locations – Hyatt Hotel Turns To “Little Jerusalem”

Once again, every boardroom, conference room, and ballroom was used to facilitate the overwhelming turnout for Chabad of the Conejo’s Yom Kippur Service at the luxuries Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel in Southern California. The huge Grand Ballroom was filled to capacity for Kol Nidre, Yizkor and Neilah. The hotel sold out every guest room to the 600 people spending the whole Yom Kippur at the hotel. After Kol Nidre and Maariv, the hotel lobbies, corridors, lounge areas, etc. were filled with Jews late into the night. Many commented how the upscale hotel was transformed into a “little Jerusalem”.

The emotional high point was the final moments of Neilah when some 2300 people sang “Hinei Mah Tov Umah Noim” while swaying and linking arms with one another. Rabbi Mordechai Meir Hakohen Bryski joined his son Rabbi Moshe Bryski on the front Bimah for the conclusion of Neilah – a most inspiring and emotional scene. Immediately after the blowing of the Shofar, Rabbi Mordechai Bryski asked to speak. He spoke in Yiddish to the hushed audience (which was then translated by his grandson Rabbi Yossi Bryski) that he had a vision during Neilah of the angelic world trying to sing their praises to the Al-mighty but being interrupted by a tremendous commotion coming from the world below. The angels were silenced by the beautiful prayers and singing making its way to the heavenly world. One angel asked the next “where is this coming from?” The other angel answered, “it is coming from Westlake Village, California – from the Hyatt Hotel”. The elder Chasid was visible moved by the experience of seeing so many Jews from all walks of life davening together, pledging Mitzvahs, singing and celebrating Yiddishkeit.

This major undertaking was staffed by a team of Shluchim; Rabbi Moshe Bryski, Rabbi Yisroel Levine, Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky, Rabbi Yossi Bryski, Rabbi Shmulik Naparstek and Rabbi Eli Broner.

Rabbi Yisroel Levine was chazan for Kol Nidre, Maariv, Shachris, Mincha and Neilah. Rabbi Shmulik Naparstek was chazan Musaf. Eric Alon purchased Maftir Yona. Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky led a beginner’s class on prayer. Rabbi Broner led a Teen Service.

Rabbi Moshe Bryski delivered three emotional and uplifting sermons throughout Yom Kippur.
Over 500 children participated in the Youth Shul and Camp “Gan Hyatt” programs offered by Chabad. Six hotel conference and boardrooms were used to facilitate this major undertaking. Rabbi Mendy Pellin, who directed the youth programs, was aided with a wonderful staff of bochurim including Rabbi David Drizin, Rabbi Shua Neparstek, Rabbi Yitzi Spalter, Rabbi Meyer Litsman, Rabbi Aycee Abrahams, Rabbi Meyron Peretz, Rabbi Yossi Cohen, Chaim Hoch, Joseph Schrage and Avremie Rosenthal.

There was an amazing program with the Friendship Circle at the hotel. It allowed parents with special needs children to come to services while having a wonderful program for their kids with special needs, joined with dozens of teenage volunteers. Heading this program as well as a Tot Program for infants and children ages 3-4 were R. Bryski, C.S. Bryski, L. Lieberman, R. Alenick, C. Hoch, M. Belkin, G. Kahn, R. Piperno.

In addition to the services at the Hyatt, Chabad of the Conejo hosted services at its center in Oak Park where an additional 350 people attended and in Chabad of Westlake Village where another 200 people participated. The services in Oak Park were led by Rabbi Ari Greenwald and Rabbi Robbie Tombowsky. The services in Westlake Village were led by Rabbi Yitzchak Sapochinsky and Rabbi Shimon Heidensfeld.