NYT covers mitzvah tanks

Every once again I check out the New York Times to see what the revered newspaper considers as news these days. Happily today, Isru Chag in the U.S., the NYT features a video on its front page covering the efforts of the Chabad-Lubavitch mitzvah tanks to engage "secular" Jews in tradition. The mini-documentary altogether features very positive coverage of Chabad's activities and is definitely worth the watch.

“We go out there like soldiers, with a mission to conquer the world with light, with goodness, with kindness,” said Yishai Eliefja, 23, a Hasidic Jew who works for the Chabad Lubavitch’s “mitzvah tanks,” or “synagogues on wheels.”

The mitzvah tanks, which will resume operation on Wednesday now that Passover has ended, were inspired by the teachings of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson and aim to engage secular Jews in acts of tradition and prayer in order to advance the coming of the Messiah.

“We look at the mitzvah tanks as the front line Marines in the rebbe’s arsenal,” said Rabbi Mordy Hirsch, who is also involved with the administering of the mitzvah tanks. “People are depressed today. Everyone has their worries, their headaches. The mitzvah tanks idea is a warm, comfortable home environment in the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.” 

See here for the video.