Yud-Alef Nissan Parade In London

 The Yud-Alef Nissan Parade in London was led by the Mitzva Tank of Beis Menachem Beis Moshiach and followed by a cavalcade of cars, headed by a large white stretch limousine. The parade headed from Stamford Hill, North London to Hyde Park in the centre of London, where large crowds greeted them.

Chaim Yitzchok Cohen, who manned the Mitzva Tank, was instrumental in organizing the program. The considerable cost of the parade was generously sponsored by a number of well-wishers and supporters, who were pleased to see that b’suras ha’Geula is being carried out in England in ever-increasing measure.

After the parade arrived at Hyde Park, a considerable amount of sh’mura matza was distributed and many passers-by stopped by the Mitzva Tank and were given Pesach guides. One group of visitors from South Africa were absolutely delighted to have their request of a full-length picture of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach given to them as a present. A number of other visitors passed by and were invited to Beis Menachem for Pesach. In  addition to the many cars taking part in the parade, the crowd was again treated to a selection of the Rebbe’s niggunim, including “Yechi.”

After the procession returned to Stamford Hill, most of the paraders and watchers met at Beis Menachem shul to partake in a lively farbrengen led by Rabbi Zvi Telsner, one of the most prominent rabbanim in England and a highly sought after and eloquent speaker. Rabbi Telsner rearranged his very hectic schedule to attend the farbrengen, and he kept the audience spellbound for several hours relating encounters with the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, especially during the early years of the Rebbe’s nesius.

Manchester Celebrates Yud-Alef Nissan

This year, Chabad in Manchester, England celebrated Yud-Alef Nissan like never before. In the past, the streets of Manchester had been graced by only one Mitzvah Tank, which normally began its route at a late hour. This year, however, there were five tanks, and despite a small delay, they started well on time.

Under the guidance of the project leader, Shimon Liberow, several bachurim worked throughout the night prior to Yud-Alef Nissan to prepare the tanks for the special task of hafatza. They plastered the tanks with posters, and made sure the tanks were well-stocked with Yud-Alef Nissan/Passover Guides, shmura matzos, and mivtzaim brochures. 

The tanks circulated in the Jewish areas of town, visiting all the kosher shops. After distributing the shmura matzos and brochures and putting on tefillin with the men at the various locations around the city, the tanks headed towards the largest supermarket in the region, where they lined up for a photographic session.

A two-hour parade took place directly afterwards, and the participants wove through the streets in many non-frum neighborhoods. The music and commotion drew people out of their houses to wave, and many took literature and put on tefillin with the bachurim.

Among the bochurim who participated were HaTmimim Menachem Mendel Lent, E. Abrams, P. Weinman, L. Cohen, and Menachem Mendel Klyne. They invested many hours to ensure the success of the project.

There were many other community members who donated their time as well as financial support in order to make the Mivtza Tank Parade as successful as it was.