New photos of the Rebbe from an unforgettable Released Time rally in the Sukkah of 770 have been discovered and are now being released for the first time on Anash.org.

The rally, held on 19 Tishrei 5737 (1976), was a truly unique event, dedicated entirely to the children participating in the Released Time program through New York public schools.

It is also remembered as the only farbrengen the Rebbe held in the Sukkah since 5730, and it included many remarkable giluyim, including the Rebbe washing for challah and distributing kos shel bracha.

The entire program was orchestrated by the Rebbe himself, who instructed that it take place in the Sukkah and personally wrote out the exact order of the event in advance. This included minute details such as which niggunim would be sung, when they would be sung, what would be distributed, when the boys and girls would arrive, and who would be present.

The Rebbe also made it clear that only those specifically designated were to attend, with no exceptions.

The idea for the special children’s farbrengen began on the second day of Sukkos 5737, when the Rebbe called in Rabbi JJ Hecht and informed him that he planned to hold a farbrengen for the children in the sukkah. The Rebbe said that he would wash on challah and distribute Kos Shel Brocha. The announcement spread quickly and was met with tremendous excitement among the chassidim.

On 19 Tishrei, following Mincha, the children from the Released Time Program were brought into the sukkah. In accordance with the Rebbe’s instructions, the boys entered first, while the girls and their counselors watched from the small zal nearby.

At 4:15 p.m., the Rebbe entered the sukkah, took his place at the table, washed for Hamotzi, and began the farbrengen. Bochurim distributed the lekach that had been prepared in advance, while the children recited the bracha of mezonos aloud together. Fruits and drinks were then handed out, with the children saying each appropriate bracha out loud.

Throughout the farbrengen, the Rebbe encouraged the children warmly, saying “lechaim” to those drinking soda. The niggun “Atah Vechartonu” was sung, after which the Rebbe delivered a short sicha that Rabbi Hecht translated into English for the children.

The Twelve Pesukim were then recited, with the Rebbe repeating each word together with the children. Following the niggun “Utzu Eitzah,” the Rebbe spoke once again, with Rabbi Hecht translating the sicha as before.

After the second sicha, the children sang “Hoshiah Es Amecha” three times. The Rebbe then bentched and distributed bottles of wine from Kos Shel Brocha to the counselors, along with two dimes for every child. The Rebbe explained that one coin was to be kept as a personal gift, while the other, or another coin of equal value, should be given to tzedakah.

The children then made a bracha on grape juice and said lechaim to the Rebbe. After the bracha acharona, the boys left the sukkah to allow the girls to enter, receive lekach, and say lechaim as well.

The remarkable farbrengen concluded with each child receiving a copy of the booklet “Tishrei” together with a recently published michtav kloli from the Rebbe.

Special thanks to a special chossid who shared the photos with us. Zechus horabim tolui bo.