My late husband, Mark (עליו השלום), and I had planned to travel to Queens, New York, to visit the Ohel. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to make that trip together. So, when the opportunity arose to travel to New York with more than 30 other women to celebrate Chanie’s birthday, I knew I wanted to go.
The trip was beautifully organized by Chanie’s daughters and sisters. Sharing this experience with such an amazing group of women made it truly memorable and enjoyable. The camaraderie among everyone was exceptional, adding another special dimension to the journey.
To be honest, I felt somewhat nervous about visiting the Ohel. It is such a sacred place, the resting site of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Before our visit, we gathered at a rabbi’s home nearby, where we received instructions on what to expect, how to conduct ourselves, and how to prepare our written notes and personal petitions.
When we finally approached the Rebbe’s resting place to pray, I experienced something profound, sublime, and almost impossible to put into words. The spiritual gravity of the Ohel reminded me of visiting the Kotel in Jerusalem. There is something incredibly powerful about being surrounded by people who have come together to pray, each carrying their own hopes, struggles, and heartfelt requests.
I felt a deep, personal connection—not only within myself, but also with everyone praying at the Rebbe’s resting place. Although I did not know the people around me, I felt that we were all spiritually connected, united by our faith and our desire to be heard.
I recited Psalms (Tehillim), read from the traditional Ma’aneh Lashon prayer booklet, and placed my personal written petition, known as a pan, at the Ohel. When I finished, I stepped outside. Almost immediately, I felt an overwhelming desire to return. Although I did not go back inside, that feeling stayed with me.
I wholeheartedly recommend visiting the Rebbe’s resting place at the Ohel, as well as 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. Standing inside the Rebbe’s office at 770 is another extraordinary experience—one that offers a powerful connection to his life, his teachings, and his enduring legacy.
“At the Ohel, you feel the Rebbe’s presence. You feel safe. You feel heard. There is a profound sense of comfort and spiritual connection that is difficult to explain unless you experience it for yourself.”
As the Zohar teaches, “A tzaddik who passes on is present even more than in his lifetime.”
For me, visiting the Ohel was more than a trip. It was a deeply personal and spiritual experience—one that touched my heart and left me with a lasting sense of connection, peace, and inspiration.