Relatives of Jewish Hostages in Gaza Welcomed in Queens, NY
Late Monday night, a crowd gathered at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens, NY to give a warm welcome to the relatives of the Jewish hostages in Gaza. The 250 people arrived to pray and were greeted by a large crowd of Jews, eager to show their support.
The relatives’ loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the invasion of Simchas Torah, and since then, the families have been working tirelessly to have them released from captivity. The visit to the United States was a significant step in their advocacy efforts, coordinated by Chabad’s Terror Victims Project and Tzeirei Agudas Chabad of Israel.
Their first stop at the Rebbe’s Ohel was a deeply emotional and memorable experience. At the outdoor tent, they sang together and heard from Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, secretary of the Rebbe and chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch at Lubavitch World Headquarters.
Rabbi Krinsky emphasized the significance of the location, stating, “This has become the nerve center of prayer for the Jewish nation in the entire Diaspora. Millions of tears have been shed on this part. And the prayers of countless have flooded up to heaven. This is indeed sacred and hollow ground.”
The families then entered the Ohel itself to recite their own prayers, accompanied by a general prayer read on their behalf by Rabbi Aharonov. The event was a powerful display of unity and support for the families in their time of crisis.
On Tuesday, the families will be traveling to Washington, DC to attend a massive rally at the National Mall. The rally will call for support for Israel in their fight against terror, the release of the hostages, and the rise of antisemitism in America.
This visit to the United States is part of the families’ continued efforts to bring attention to the plight of their loved ones in Gaza and advocate for their safe return. The show of support and solidarity from the community in Queens and beyond is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Jewish people in the face of adversity.