Delegation of Hostage Families Sent to D.C. Visit Crown Heights

The delegation of Hostages and family members that joined Bibi Netanyahu at Congress this week, made a meaningful stop on their trip and visited 770, davened at the Ohel, and got a tour of the Rebbe’s room and library.

A delegation of families of hostages joined the Israeli Prime Minister’s entourage on his trip to Washington D.C. to address Congress and meet with the president. The group continued their expedition with a meaningful visit to the Ohel, 770, and the iconic and holy sites in Crown Heights.

The group arrived early Friday morning for the first stop at the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe where they davened for all their loved ones still being held in captivity. Among them were Yakov Argamani with his daughter Noa, who was released from captivity in Gaza, who came to thank the Rebbe for the miracles that brought them there together.

Others in the group were there still davening for the safe release of their family members who were still in Gaza. Eli Bibas, the father of the kidnapped Yarden Bibas, who was kidnapped with his wife Shiri, baby Kfir and toddler Ariel, came to daven for his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Sheli Shem Tov, mother of Omer Shem Tov, 21, who was kidnapped to Gaza from Nova; Esther Yahli, mother of the hostage Ohad Yahalomi, who is still held in Gaza; and the grandmother of Eitan Yahalomi who was released after 52 days captive.

Others in the group were there, yet without the hope of better news, mourning their heartbreaking losses. This was attorney Talik Guily, mother of police officer Ran Guily, who was killed and his body is being held by Hamas, Ayelet Smarano, the mother of Yonatan Smarano, who was kidnapped from Nova and declared dead after 59 days, and Ofek Shaul, brother of Oron Shaul, who was kidnapped during Operation Protective Edge and killed in 2014.

The delegation was accompanied from Washington to New York by Shliach Rabbi Mendel Fogelman and his son, Rabbi Levi Fogelman, who received and guided them at the Ohel and 770. The group then davened in the Rebbe’s room, where they were specially received by Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam, who prepared them before their entry.

They next visited the Rebbe’s Library, where they were welcomed by the librarian, Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin, who explained the library and the exhibition. They also visited the broadcasting room and the large shul. The visit to 770 was guided and led by Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach, the director of the 770 Chabad House.

The trip was organized by Rabbi Shimi Segal, the director of the Hostage Families’ Journey on behalf of Chabad Youth, under the leadership of Chabad Youth Chairman Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov.