Following the Rebbe’s call to use the summer months for spreading Chassidus, Or Hachassidus utilized mobile libraries, special sales, and learning campaigns to bring thousands into the study of Chassidus.

For tens of thousands of Yidden in the Tri-State area, summer means heading up to the countryside for vacation. For Or Hachassidus, it means two months of intensified efforts to bring Chassidus to as many Yidden as possible.

This summer marked the fourth year of Or Hachassidus’ mobile libraries visiting bungalow colonies and camps across Upstate New York. Throughout the year, these libraries serve the frum communities of Brooklyn, Boro Park, and Williamsburg. In the summer, they expand their route, covering Monticello, Liberty, Swan Lake, and beyond, bringing Sifrei Chassidus and chassidishe children’s books.

“We go wherever there are children eager for a quality chassidishe book,” says Rabbi Avraham Man, director of Or Hachassidus. “The children light up when they see the trucks roll in, running to greet them like it’s an ice cream truck.”

The adults weren’t forgotten either. In honor of 20 years since its founding, Or Hachassidus launched a special campaign alongside its regular activities. The Likras Shabbos weekly booklet was distributed more widely than ever, now reaching 200 shuls across the country. Subsidized sales of Sifrei Chassidus were also offered, including a special sale of the writings of Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father, in honor of his yahrzeit on Chof Av.

“The Rebbe emphasized many times that summer is a unique opportunity to bring Yidden the light of Chassidus,” explains Rabbi Man. “And in Upstate New York, where nearly half a million Yidden spend the summer, it is truly the best opportunity of the year.”

Another highlight was a campaign encouraging bochurim to begin learning Tanya, dedicated to the memory of Reb Yoel Kahn, a”h. Every bochur who committed received a set of Tanya with Reb Yoel’s explanations, free of charge.

“Originally we planned for one hundred bochurim,” says Rabbi Man, “but the demand was overwhelming. We raised it to three hundred, and even those spots filled quickly. Each of these young men will now continue learning Tanya throughout the year.”

Rabbi Man notes that the eagerness to begin learning Chassidus was a constant theme throughout the summer, showing why this opportunity cannot be missed. He recalls Or Hachassidus’ visit to the Rachmastrivka camp:

“They asked us to bring the truck for a Chassidus sale, so we loaded it with as many seforim as we could. But the bochurim were so enthusiastic that the truck sold out, and we had to return for a second round so the rest could buy as well.”