First ‘Shabbos Anash’ by the Ohel was a Shabbos to Remember

This past Shabbos, over 130 Chassidim from Chicago, Detroit, London, Monsey, Atlanta, Morristown, Los Angeles, Miami, Five Towns, and Crown Heights, gathered at the Ohel with mashpiim for a transformative and empowering Shabbos of achdus, hiskashrus and hachlatos tovos.

By Anash.org reporter

Over 130 Chassidim gathered at the Ohel this past Shabbos for an uplifting and transformative Shabbaton. Participants traveled from Chicago, Detroit, London, Monsey, Atlanta, Morristown, Los Angeles, Miami, Five Towns, and Crown Heights, all eager to spend a Shabbos together by the Rebbe.

The program began before Shabbos with a warm welcome and an opening program. A special video of the Rebbe was screened, setting the tone for the Shabbos.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov of Detroit shared a moving letter from the Rebbe addressed to a group from Detroit who traveled to the Ohel in 5718, emphasizing how a visit to the Rebbe is like plowing or planting a field—it’s just the beginning. The true work is in harvesting, ensuring that the inspiration translates into real action throughout the year.

Following mincha, a shiur in Likkutei Sichos on Parshas Teruma was given by Rabbi Leima Wilhelm, followed by Kabolas Shabbos.

The Friday night Seudas Shabbos was lively and uplifting. Rabbi Boruch Hertz and Rabbi Yehuda Tiechtel addressed the participants, followed by a powerful farbrengen and a Siyum HoRambam with an address by Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of the Five Towns. The siyum was a major highlight, with a strong push for strengthening the daily learning of Rambam.

Rabbi Yossi Paltiel then led a farbrengen that continued for hours, touching on the theme of commitment to the Rebbe’s inyonim and the importance of bringing that inspiration back home.

Shabbos morning started with two shiurim—Rabbi Wilhelm taught a maamar on V’ata Tetzaveh, while Rabbi Paltiel gave a shiur on Ish Yehudi 5733 discussing Amalek.

The atmosphere was lebedig throughout and had an avir of Simchas Torah due to the Siyum Horambam and the presence of three Sifrei Torah which the Rebbe connects to Simchas Torah. Niggunim of Simchas Torah were sung throughout davening and when returning the Sifrei Torah to the Aron Kodesh.

During the Seudas Shabbos, each group had a representative share something they gained from the Shabbaton and the hachlotos they were taking upon themselves. One mekurav shared how he had just completed the entire Rambam cycle after committing to learning three perakim a day.

Rabbi Wilhelm spoke passionately about the significance of leaving one’s comfort zone to spend Shabbos by the Rebbe—not just when a personal need arises, but simply to be with the Rebbe. He emphasized how a true Chossid must bring the Rebbe into his daily life. Rabbi Paltiel then joined, leading to a lively back-and-forth farbrengen in a warm and humorous exchange. The farbrengen continued well past Shabbos, only stopping since they were scheduled to go to Crown Heights.

Beyond the learning and inspiration, practical initiatives were encouraged. Participants received special discounts on subscriptions to Chayenu, Jem.tv, Derher, Kolel Lomdei Dach, and Kolel Aliba D’hilchesa—providing tangible ways to continue their growth.

Reflecting on the impact of the Shabbos, organizer Rabbi Levi Tiechtel of Monsey told Anash.org: “The Shabbos was very, very special. The tefilos and the seudos were amazing, uplifting, and transformative.”

A great yasher koiach to the organizers Rabbi Boruch Hertz, Rabbi Getsel Itzinger, Rabbi Levi Tiechtel, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, and the incredible logistics team, Rabbi Shneur Itzinger, Rabbi Mendel Slonim, Sruli Azimov, Yisrolik Itzinger and his dedicated crew of bochurim, and Rabbi Shvartz, who spared no effort to ensure all of the Gashmius should be well taken care of, from seamless registration to abundant food to comfortable accommodations to Mezonos for the way home, and everything in between.

Yasher koiach to Rabbi Mottel Slonim who ran a children’s program with inspiring Shiurim, Farbrengen, and Mesibas Shabbos for all the boys who joined this Shabbos. The boys left the Shabbos on a high with a renewed appreciation for their identity as the Rebbe’s Chasidim and the Rebbe’s love for them and every Yid.

A big yasher koiach goes to all the community leaders who coordinated all the groups, and to the mashpiim and speakers who made the Shabbos special: Rabbi Wilhelm, Rabbi Paltiel, Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Rabbi Boruch Epstein, Rabbi Eliyahu Rapaport, and Rabbi Yudi Tiechtel.

With the success of this first-ever Shabbos Anash, many participants are already looking forward to making it a yearly tradition (bez”H in Yerushalayim!). The energy, achdus, and inspiration of this gathering will undoubtedly carry forward into the coming months, as Chassidim bring the Rebbe’s presence into their daily lives.

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