Hundreds of Bochurim Prepare For Pesach in 66 Countries Around The World

From the snow-capped mountains of Chile to the sandy Islands of Thailand, 800 Chabad yeshiva students are spending Pesach in the remotest locations around the world, ensuring that every Jew has a Seder to go to this Yom Tov.

Over the past few days, the young Rabbis have been wearing many hats, taking care of all elements of Seder preparation. They could be seen Koshering Kitchens, delivering Matzahs and Seder to Go kits for the homebound, and peeling pounds of potatoes. Some students, like the ones in Senegal, even had to create their own wine.

This year will see the largest number of participants joining the Pesach Merkos Shlichus – Roving Rabbis initiative, with 800 Bochurim leading Seders in 66 Countries around the world and 34 states in the US.

One such Seder will be taking place in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, and will see 500 guests at a Seder with tourists and locals attending. “In addition to having the opportunity to drink the four cups and eat the Matzah, the most important parts of the Seder. We hope that everyone will feel the joy of the festival in a warm, family-like atmosphere,” said Yitzchok Schneerson. Schneerson is one of the 70 Yeshiva students leading Seders in Thailand, which will host more than 10,000 guests this Pesach.

Speaking of the tremendous growth and the logistical undertaking it entails, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and longtime director of the Merkos Shlichus program, said, “The Rebbe taught us about the fifth son, the one who isn’t at the Seder; our goal is to reach him. We are doing whatever it takes to ensure every Jew has a place to celebrate Pesach this year.”

An anecdote from the front lines:

We were traveling the roads of Tigard all day, delivering Matzahs to locals who wouldn’t be making it to the Seder, when we reached our last house. The elderly lady we met at the door was confused. “How did you find me she asked?” We told her Rabbi Orenstein had sent us, but she had never heard of him. Although we were both confused and trying to figure out what had happened, she gladly took our Matzah, saying she hadn’t celebrated Pesach in years. As we pulled away from the house, Rabbi Orenstein called us, “I made a typo on the address list,” he said, “I hope I didn’t send you guys to the wrong house.”

We smiled, knowing that Hashem had made sure that this elderly Jewish woman was able to have Matzah for Pesach this year.

– Tzemach Goldberg and Zalmi Levenhartz, Tigard Oregon

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