As 1,200 college students prepared to leave the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., earlier this week after the invigorating “JewFest” Shabbaton experience, their last stop was the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—and the Previous Rebbe, his father-in-law—Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Schneersohn, of righteous memory.
First on Sunday, students attended an empowering concluding session, where they were encouraged to harness the energy and inspiration of the three-day conference, and become “lamplighters of Judaism” upon returning home. Then, in preparation for the culminating highlight of the annual program—a visit to the Ohel—students took time for introspection, and to write a letter and/or personal prayer.
For many, this was a defining moment in their spiritual journey to decide on a new resolution for greater commitment to Jewish observance.
Also, for many, it was their first connection to the Rebbe on a very personal level. Students said they were uplifted and stirred by their experience at the Ohel, with many reporting it to be the pinnacle of “JewFest.”
Anna Goldstein, 21, a senior at Marquette University, said she was moved by her first trip there. As is customary, she sat down and wrote a letter to the Rebbe, then lit a candle and gave tzedakah (“charity”) before entering the burial site. “It was very spiritually symbolic to tear up and throw the pieces of my letter, as I felt that the message had been received by Hashem.”
During his lifetime, the Rebbe would frequent the Ohel multiple times a week to bring people’s requests, concerns, prayers and troubles to the holy site. People still continue to send letters to be placed at the Rebbe’s Ohel for blessing and guidance.
For Nicole Gorelik, 20, a junior who attends the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, her first time at the Ohel also proved spiritual. “I felt a powerful connection to [the Rebbe] and my Judaism when I went in,” she said. “I didn’t expect so many notes to be thrown in, and I didn’t expect so many people from the surrounding community waiting in the long line with the students just to pray and leave a note. It was a good experience, and I’m glad I got to go.”
Isaac Vineburg had been to the Ohel once before, as part of last year’s Shabbaton. “That first time, I was just observing everything,” noted the 21-year-old Marquette University senior. “This time, I felt like I could focus on reflection and prayer, which was a really important goal I had coming into the weekend.”
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