Exiting the Ohel, Chicagoans Handed Dollars from the Rebbe

A group of Anash and mekuravim from Chicago experienced a deeply moving surprise during their trip to the Rebbe this week, when an anonymous chossid gifted each participant a dollar from the Rebbe.

The trip was organized by Rabbi Levi Notik of F.R.E.E. of Chicago, who has been leading same-day trips to the Rebbe for many years, giving participants an opportunity to gain inspiration and renewed chayus.

“This trip is about much more than simply getting on a plane and traveling to New York,” Rabbi Notik told Anash.org. “The goal is to prepare properly, learn the Rebbe’s maamarim, farbreng together, and reflect on what it means to travel to the Rebbe.”

Preparations began well in advance. Participants learned one of the Rebbe’s maamarim four times, and the group farbrenged and discussed the significance of the journey and how to make the most of every moment.

Every logistical detail, from transportation and airport check-in to boarding passes and meals, was arranged in advance, allowing the participants to focus entirely on the ruchnius of the trip without being distracted by the technicalities of travel.

The group’s first stop was the Ohel, where each participant wrote a pan and entered the Ohel.

Upon emerging, they learned of a surprise that quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. An anonymous chossid who had heard about the journey had decided to give each participant a dollar from the Rebbe.

The reaction was emotional. None of the participants had ever received a dollar from the Rebbe before. Many had wished for one for years, and some had even offered relatives significant sums for a dollar they possessed.

“They had just come out of the Ohel, after davening for their most personal bakashos,” Rabbi Notik related. “Then, immediately afterward, they were told that each of them would receive a dollar from the Rebbe. It felt like a clear bracha from the Rebbe.”

“It was an incredibly powerful moment,” he added. “You could see that, for each participant, the dollar represented a deep and personal connection to the Rebbe.”

From the Ohel, the group traveled to 770, where they davened Mincha and had the special opportunity to enter the Rebbe’s room. They also toured the lower level of 770, visited WLCC, and spent time in the Rebbe’s library.

The trip continued with a walk through Crown Heights and concluded with an elegant dinner and lively farbrengen at Butcher Grill House, generously sponsored by R’ Tannie Schnell.

“It was beautiful,” Rabbi Notik said. “Everyone came away energized and inspired. You could feel that people were returning home with a different chayus.”

One participant said that he now felt prepared to enter the new year of 5787 properly, “with the Rebbe’s brochos.”

Another participant expressed his appreciation for the way every detail had been arranged, enabling him to focus completely on the ruchnius and meaning of the journey.

These trips, organized by F.R.E.E. of Chicago, take place several times throughout the year.