Over a thousand people gathered for Chicago’s largest Hakhel celebration and Simchas Bais Hashoava at Congregation Bnei Ruven this Sukkos. Amazingly, the forecasted rain held off right up until the minute the event ended.
Over a thousand people gathered for Chicago’s largest Hakhel celebration and Simchas Bais Hashoava at Congregation Bnei Ruven this Sukkos.
Simcha Leiner and Uncle Moishy headlined the all-day event sponsored by Jewel-Osco and organized by Rabbi Baruch Hertz and Rabbi Moshe Elya Markowitz. Despite a rainy forecast that evening, the rain held off right up until the minute the event ended.
Rabbi Hertz said of the fantastic turnout, “The Rebbe emphasized that Hakhel is a time for making huge community gatherings. We brought out the world-famous Simcha Leiner and Uncle Moishy, big draws to bring the entire city together.”
R’ Yakov Yarmove – Corporate Director of Ethnic Marketing & Specialty Foods at Albertsons Companies who arranged the sponsorship from Jewel-Osco – stated his goal for the event: “If it brought the Rebbe nachas, then it was all worth it.”
The joyous festivities included a special Hakhel story from R’ Reuven Russell of Agent Emes and a grand children’s rally organized by Rabbi Avraham Varnai, noted teacher of Cheder Lubavitch of Chicago. A beautiful Rebbe video—arranged by Chaim Dovid Hertz and Sholom Hertz—was shown to hundreds who were inspired by the excitement of the Rebbe and Hakhel!
The farbrengen continued in the sukkah throughout the night with leading Rabbonim of Chicago attending and Simcha Leiner performing.
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