The following is a NY Daily News article:
A Queens community has established a plan to cope with the annual Orthodox Jewish pilgrimage — and the trash left in its wake.
Up to 25,000 Chabad-Lubavitch Jews are expected to gather in Cambria Heights this weekend to pay tribute at the grave of their leader, the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The rebbe died June 12, 1994, but this Saturday marks the 18th anniversary of his passing under the Hebrew calendar.
“It is a time to ask for blessing and to connect with his soul,” said Rabbi Abba Refson, of the Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch, the synagogue hosting the event.
But the annual pilgrimage, which draws Orthodox Jews from all over the world, irritates residents in the middle-class, African American enclave. Neighbors have said some visitors hog parking spots and leave trash strewn over otherwise well-kept yards.
An added complication: This year the event falls on the Sabbath, meaning the Ultra-Orthodox followers cannot drive or ride the subway Saturday and some will camp overnight.
As a result, synagogue representatives and community leaders say they have hammered out a plan to help. There will be trash collection and police and emergency services on hand, according to the event plans.
“I’ve been trying to make sure the community is not overrun,” said Queens Community Board 13 district manager Lawrence McClean. “At the same time, we have to accommodate their religious experience.”
About 1,500 of those worshippers were expected to arrive after midnight on Thursday and stay through Sunday, Refson said.
Those pilgrims will sleep in tents at the Montefiore Cemetery parking lot — the graveyard where the rebbe is buried. A tent for Sabbath meals is set up on the basketball court next to nearby PS 176.
McClean and other community leaders will recap and evaluate the event next week.
“I think (the synagogue) has worked to quell the fear that the community goes through every year,” said Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village), who lives near the Ohel. “But I can’t tell you how it’s going to go this time.”
(Source: NY Daily News)
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8 Responses
Ahh campout at the cemetary how romantic will they be toasting marshmallows?
What a chuztpah you call them orthodox they didn’t even attend the asifa.
#1, they will e toasting themselves in the 95 degree heat
To #2:
So what is considered orthodox in your world, Mr. BigShot/Chuzpaniak? I suggest you learn some Chassidus to really understand what it means to love every Jew.
#4, I’m pretty sure #2 was ironic.
I have been there in the past to pay my respects to the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZZL on his Yorzeit, and have always found it very orderly and neat, without any rubbish around, inside or outside, and people being very quiet on the streets, outside of the premises! As a matter of fact, even inside, I found it very quiet as well!
#4 / Michali:
Don’t worry – I’m pretty sure #2 / Fert was being sarcastic.
Hey # 2.
They were never invited to the Asifa.
they had to make their own in the end. If you think going to the ASIFA makes someone Orthodox,all i could tell you is that Orthodox means Torah observant, not “attending the Asifa.”
Shavua Tov