Boston Street Mivtzoim Spawns 6 Bar Mitzvahs

Thanks to Boston’s initiative to close streets to cars, Rabbi Shmuel Posner of Chabad of Boston and local bochurim seized the opportunity to turn the bustling pedestrian route into a hub of mivtzoim, wrapping tefillin with karkaftos and distributing dozens of Neshek kits to bring mitzvos to the streets of Boston.

This past weekend, Newbury Street in Boston, closed to vehicles as part of the city’s Open Newbury Streets initiative, became a hub for mivtzoim activities led by Rabbi Shmuel Posner of Chabad of Boston and Boston University. Known for his commitment to the Rebbe’s mivtzoim campaigns, Rabbi Posner described the day simply: “Handed out candles. Shabbos candles.”

With the street open only to pedestrians, a tefillin stand was set up, allowing for meaningful interactions with many passersby. Over the first two weekends of Kislev, we merited assisting around six karkaftos—men who wrapped tefillin for the first time. A highlight was when twin brothers from Tel Aviv, now studying at a local Jewish school, wrapped tefillin together for the first time. In total, about 40 men wrapped tefillin, and countless others engaged in meaningful conversations.

We also distributed Shabbos candle kits and menorah sets. The Neshek kits were sponsored by Betzalel in New York City in the merit of a shidduch. Over 60 women and girls took candle kits, with some even returning to take more for family and friends.

The first Sunday coincided with the Kinus Hashluchim gala, so in Rabbi Posner’s absence, I ran the stand with Aharon Yanofsky, a local eighth-grader, and Yitzchok Ordman, a bochur learning locally. The following weekend, Rabbi Posner was back and joined by Elad Eyni from Rishon L’Tziyon and Dovi Sternglanz.

Rabbi Posner’s leadership and dedication were a testament to the Rebbe’s directive to reach every Jew with ahavas Yisroel and bring the light of mitzvos into their lives. The effort was a tremendous success, bringing light and warmth to Newbury Street.

Report and Photo by Jonathan B. Shapiro, Boston.