The historic Rally for Israel, during which an estimated 290,000 people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was not only a massive sign of support for the people of Israel, but was also the largest day ever of mivtzoim in the US Capital.
Hundreds of Lubavitchers who attended came with tefillin and Shabbat candles ready to assist the many Jews to do a mitzvah in the merit of Israel. Dozens of tefillin stands and mitzvah tanks were coordinated by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), and many Lubavitchers also did their own personal mivtzoim in the crowd.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Senior Shliach to Washington, DC and Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), shared that approximately 20,000 Jews were given the opportunity to do a mitzvah, estimating that 11,000 men donned tefillin and 7,500 shabbat candle kits were distributed. American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) was also involved in several areas of helping organize the event, and encouraging the organizers to ensure Orthodox Jewish groups would be more comfortable attending.
In the event’s closing speech, jointly presented by the event’s main organizers Eric Fingerhut – CEO Jewish Federations, and William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Daroff reminded the crowd that we must remember Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah, as the guidance during this time of extreme challenge.
adapted from COLlive
