Argentina Drive-Thru Brings Community Right Into the Bais Hamikdash

The first ever drive-through experience of the Bais Hamikdash was produced in Buenos Aires, Argentina, featuring live actors, five structures, lights, music and cutting-edge technology. Over 15,000 people are expected to participate during the two weeks of winter vacation.

By Anash.org reporter

Whoever hasn’t seen the Bais Hamikdosh drive-through in Buenos Aires, Argentina, hasn’t seen a drive-through in his life…

The Jewish community of Argentina is being treated to a magnificent, one-of-a-kind experience, put together by Chabad of Argentina and located at La Rural, the most prestigious expo center in South America, in the center of Buenos Aires.

A 10,000 square meter warehouse, five structures, live actors and cutting edge technology all masterfully come together to produce the ‘Adventure in the Bais Hamikdash’ drive-through. Over 15,000 people are expected to participate during the upcoming two weeks of South American winter vacation.

The program was arranged by Chabad Lubavitch of Argentina, directed by head shliach Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, and co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center AMIA and La Rural. It was produced by Rabbi Levi and Etti Silberstein of Tzach – Chabad Argentina with the help of creative director Maxi Bartfeld and his team.

Being in the middle of the Argentinian school year, the local Shluchim always look for ways to capitalize on the opportunity presented by mid-winter vacation to offer different programs to the community on the theme of these days – the Bais Hamikdash.

Since Covid struck, Argentina has been on lockdown with fluctuating levels of restrictions. In-person events and recreational activities are still closed.

“Last year, we produced a film about the story of Alexander the Great that the community enjoyed virtually,” Rabbi Levi Silberstein told Anash.org. “This year, however, we wanted to find a way to create a live, in-person event that people could attend with their families, while adhering to local covid guidelines. We brainstormed, and eventually ‘Aventura en el Templo’ – Adventure in the Bais Hamikdash – was born.”

Throughout the program, each family remains in their car. As they drive from scene to scene, they are treated to a dramatic performance about different areas of the Bais Hamikdosh.

The first stop is a time machine tunnel. Viewers are transported back in time where they join a young boy named Tovi who, like them, has arrived from the future to visit the Bais Hamikdash.

Tovi first explores the different parts of the Ezras Noshim, and then the cars drive through a large Shaar Nikanor and arrive at the Azara, where Tovi discovers what the mizbeach, kiyor, kohanim and liviyim with their musical instruments are all about. 

From there they continue on to the Heichal, where a video presents the Kodesh and Kodesh haKodashim, using humor, drama, and cutting edge technology to brings the story to life.

The last stop is the Kosel with a screen in the middle which summarizes the layout of the Bais Hamikdash and inspires the crowd to build their our own personal Bais Hamikdash by doing mitzvos, thereby helping to build the third and final Bais Hamikdash.

The viewers are then treated to a fascinating display featuring photos of different artifacts from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the The Israel Museum of Jerusalem.

On Tuesday night, local dignitaries, leaders of Jewish institutions and partners of the project gathered for a ceremony to inaugurate the program. Rabbi Levi Silberstein emceed the evening and a few words were shared by Rabbi Grunblatt and Mr. Ariel Eichbaum, President of AMIA.

Honored with the ribbon-cutting were Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, Mrs. Galit Ronen, Israeli ambassador to Argentina, Mr. Ariel Eichbaum, Sr. Jorge Knoblovits, President of DAIA, the umbrella organization of Argentina’s Jewish community, and Mrs. Pilar Bosco, of the City of Buenos Aires.

And then the crowd proceeded to view the entire show.

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