Israeli Tourists Flock to Chabad Headquarters in New York

A growing number of Israeli tourists visiting New York are incorporating visits to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's "Ohel" (grave site) in Queens and the Chabad World Center, known as "770," in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, into their itineraries. This trend is being actively encouraged by the Chabad Youth Organization in Israel, which is using its network of emissaries to promote these spiritual stops.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Neumann, the Rebbe's emissary to the Israeli diplomatic community in New York and coordinator for Chabad Youth, is central to these efforts. For many visitors, including those who do not identify as religious, the experience at the Ohel and 770 has become a highlight, offering a moment of peace amidst the bustling city. Visitors often write personal requests, known as "pidyon nefesh," light a candle, and feel a deep sense of connection.

Guided tours in Hebrew are now available at 770, offering insights into the Rebbe's personal room, the main prayer hall, the study hall, and a broadcast room. The tours also showcase a historical exhibition and library. The building, a red-brick structure characteristic of older Brooklyn neighborhoods, was the center of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's global outreach for decades.

The Ohel, located in Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, is accessible 24 hours a day and is a popular destination for Jews and non-Jews alike, including public figures and celebrities. The area around 770 in Crown Heights is home to a vibrant Hasidic community, offering a glimpse into their lifestyle and traditional Jewish eateries.

With the approach of the High Holy Days in the Jewish month of Tishrei, Crown Heights is expected to host tens of thousands of Hasidim and yeshiva students from around the world. This influx, anticipated to begin before Rosh Hashanah and peak during Sukkot and Simchat Torah, will transform the neighborhood into a major gathering point for the global Chabad movement.