Nearly 4,000 Jewish women gather at Cambria Heights to visit resting place of Jewish leaders

Close to 4,000 Jewish women leaders gathered to visit the resting place of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson at Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights Thursday.

A group of Chabad women emissaries woman attend a speech at the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, in the Queens borough of New York on February 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Itzik Roytman/Chabad.org

Approximately 3,890 women from over 100 different countries and all 50 states came together to visit the graves of “the Rebbe” and his wife. The Rebbe is viewed by many of the Jewish faith as the most influential rabbi in modern history.

A group of Chabad-Lubavitch women emissaries pray and reflect at the resting place of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of blessed memory, in the Queens borough of New York on February 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Itzik Roytman/Chabad.org

This visit marked the beginning of the annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries, which will continue Friday with a group photo at the Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn before concluding with a gala banquet dinner Sunday at the New Jersey Conference and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey.

Photo courtesy of Itzik Roytman/Chabad.org

The women prayed at the site, which is considered a place of deep spiritual sanctity. Each year, about 400,000 people, both Jews and non-Jews, visit the resting place to seek blessings, guidance and spiritual inspiration.

A group of Chabad women emissaries woman watch a presentation at the Ohel at the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Photo courtesy of Itzik Roytman/Chabad.org

The Rebbe’s wife, Rebbetzin Schneerson, cared deeply for the educational outreach work of the Chabad-Lubavitch women emissaries. She remains as an inspirational figure for these communal leaders, who time the annual conference to commemorate the anniversary of her passing on the Jewish calendar. Thursday marked the 22nd day of Shevat on the Jewish calendar and the 36th anniversary of her passing in 1988.

The conference shines a light on the humanitarian work in Israel from Chabad. The Chabad movement’s 1,400 emissaries in Israel have been faithfully leading their communities in this unprecedented time, as the nation fights its war with Hamas.

During the conference, leaders will be exploring relevant issues and learn from professionals and colleagues with years of experience. Combating antisemitism will be a point of emphasis, in the face of the recent uptick in antisemitic rhetoric following the war in Israel.

Chabad-Lubavitch is the world’s largest Jewish organization. Its network consists of over 3,500 institutions in more than 100 countries directed by more than 5,000 full-time emissary couples and a workforce numbering in the tens of thousands.