Rare Photos Show the Rebbe Walking to Tashlich in 1964
Never-before-published photos by Belgian-born photographer Jan Yoors offer a rare glimpse of the Rebbe and Chassidim walking to Tashlich at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Rosh Hashanah 5725.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveBy Shmully Blesofsky
First Day of Rosh Hashanah 5725. The Rebbe walking with the Chassidim to Tashlich.
Jan Yoors
One beautiful September afternoon in 1964, Belgian-born photographer Jan Yoors was pursuing his lifelong interest in documenting the distinctive communities of New York City when his wanderings brought him to Crown Heights.
There, he encountered an extraordinary sight: a great parade of men in long coats, accompanied by elegantly dressed women and children, moving purposefully along Eastern Parkway. Yoors reached for his camera and followed them through the neighborhood and into the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
The procession was the Lubavitch community accompanying the Rebbe to Tashlich on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Fascinated by the people, movement, and atmosphere surrounding him, Yoors photographed the procession extensively, preserving the spirit of that remarkable afternoon.
For more than sixty years, these photographs remained largely unseen – until now.
We are privileged to share a selection from this extraordinary collection by the gifted and unconventional photographer Jan Yoors. His son, Kore Yoors, has generously permitted us to present these images to the Lubavitch community
Tashlich with the Rebbe
Monday, September 7, 1964, the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5725 – Chassidim follow closely behind the Rebbe on Washington Avenue. Colorized
History of Tashlich
Before the Tashlich well was built behind 770 in 1967, members of the Crown Heights Jewish community would walk to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Rosh Hashanah to recite Tashlich.
Even in the earlier years, the Rebbe – then known as the Ramash – helped organize a march so that the community would walk down Eastern Parkway in an orderly formation, singing as they went.
The public procession was intended to awaken Jewish pride among the many Jews living in the neighborhood, and show the younger generation the beauty of proud and authentic Yiddishkeit.
At a time when such an open display of traditional Jewish life was unusual, the procession made an unforgettable impression. Chassidim, young and old, walked proudly through the streets as local residents gathered along the sidewalks – some watching with warmth and admiration, others with surprise or discomfort.
These spectacles produced many memorable moments, including in 1957 when the Brooklyn Botanic Garden had closed early due to rain, and the Rebbe climbed over its fence in order to say Tashlich by the lake.
First Day of Rosh Hashanah 5725. The Rebbe walking with the Chassidim to Tashlich. Colorized (Pic 3)
Rabbi Michoel Seligson recalls:
“People ran home to eat after Musaf and then returned to 770 for Mincha, which was held at approximately four or five o’clock. After Mincha, they walked to Tashlich, which therefore took place sometime between five and six o’clock.”
Menny Wolf writes in his Rosh Hashanah 1965 diary entry:
“After davening, as the Rebbe passed by, he raised his hand to indicate that they should sing, and they began singing ‘Hoshiah Es Amecha.’ They danced for a short time, and then they began going to Tashlich. They arranged the younger ones in front and the older ones behind. After everyone was arranged, the Rebbe came out of his room, with Chadakov behind him. The crowd began to walk with the Rebbe. When we arrived there, several thousand people were already waiting. There were very many people there besides the Chabad chassidim. The Rebbe said Tashlich for a short time. They continued walking two by two. On the way back, they passed along President Street, the street where the Rebbe lived. They returned to 770. “
These pictures are presented in honor of Aaron Blesofsky’s first Yartzeit.
All photographs are the property of Jan Yoors and are represented by Artists Rights Society (ARS).
We want to extend a big thank you to Kore and Marianne Yoors for generously sharing these golden moments with us, preserved so well over the years.
A special mention for the venerable and deeply missed Baruch Thaler A’H, who helped connect us with these pictures.
Can you identify anybody in the pictures? Please share in the comments
Washington Avenue and Crown Street, alongside the Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Monday, September 7, 1964, the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5725. Walking to Tashlich. Colorized (Pic 4)
Walking down Washington Avenue on the way to Tashlich. Colorized (Pic 5)
Mesivta boys from United Lubavitcher Yeshivah following the Rebbe on the way to Tashlich. On the far right, holding a siddur, Chazzan Leibel Blesofsky AH. Colorized (Pic 6)
Walking down Washington Avenue between Carroll And Crown Street on the way to Tashlich. Walking along the administrative building before entering Botanical Gardens. Colorized (Pic 7)
Rabbi Moshe Aharon Geisinsky, a member of the Lubavitch community, walks on the right beside the man holding the blue siddur. Colorized. (Pic 8)
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Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raichik with his three children in Botanical Gardens, who came from Los Angeles to spend Tishrei 5725 in Crown Heights. Colorized (Pic 12)
Japanese Pond, Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Monday, September 7, 1964, the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5725, Tashlich. Colorized (Pic 13)
Japanese Pond, Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Monday, September 7, 1964, the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5725. Colorized (Pic 14)
Japanese Pond, Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Monday, September 7, 1964, the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5725. Colorized (Pic 15)
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