Over Shabbos, Rabbonim in shuls throughout the tri-state area addressed their kehillos about the importance of heeding the call of the Gedolim both in America and Eretz Yisroel to attend the massive atzeres tefillah that has been called for today, Sunday, March 9 / 7 Adar in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District.
At the Atzeres, the tzibur will be mispallel to Hashem to negate the plans of Israeli politicians who have proposed a law designed to severely limit the growth of Torah in Eretz Yisroel. The proposed law would not only abandon Israel’s longstanding exemption of full-time yeshiva students from military service, it would expose Bnei Torah who refuse as a matter of religious principle to be drafted into the military to potential criminal sanction.
With the Atzeres Tefillah, American Jewry will be joining in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Jews who gathered in the streets of Yerushalayim last week to pour out their hearts in tefila, and to express their pain and protest regarding this proposed new law. And we will be sending a message to our dear brethren in Eretz Yisroel: Know that the Torah community in America stands with you in this difficult moment of challenge!
A Kol Korei has been released (see below) signed by dozens of prominent Admoirim, Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim representing a broad spectrum of the chareidi tzibbur, urging attendance at this massive Atzeres.
The New York asifa will take place on Water Street in lower Manhattan – between Fulton Street and Broad Street – this Sunday, 7 Adar Sheni (March 9) at 2:00 p.m. It will begin with Mincha and followed by Tehillim and tefillos b’Tzibbur, led by Gedolei Yisroel. A special area for women is also being arranged.
The podium where the shaliach tzibbur will stand will be on the corner of Water Street and Old Slip (midway between Broad Street and Wall Street).
New York residents are being urged to take public transportation to the site, which is well serviced by the subway system with many subway lines stopping in the area. (See special MTA instructions here for Q line riders.) Organizers urge participants not to drive into Manhattan for the gathering. This applies as well to individuals driving in from points outside the city, who should park in Brooklyn or New Jersey and take a train into Manhattan.
Hundreds of buses are expected to bring participants from communities outside the immediate New York area, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, upstate New York, Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties, Lakewood, and other New Jersey communities.
There will be a significant security presence in the area, and the NYPD will conduct periodic sweeps before the event. Most major streets in the area will be closed to vehicular traffic and all participants will have to go through a security check before being allowed in. Organizers ask that attendees not bring knapsacks, briefcases or packages in order to keep lines flowing.
Hatzolah and Shomrim will be on hand.
In order to maintain the decorum and dignity of the Atzeres, participants are urged NOT to bring signs, banners or placards.
New York Atzeres Tefillah
Updated Information
BASIC EVENT INFORMATION
- This Sunday, March 9 / 7 Adar Sheni.
- Lower Manhattan – Water Street between Broad Street and Peck Slip (near the Brooklyn Bridge).
- Separate Areas for Men and Women:
- o Men: Water Street between Broad Street and Fulton Street.
- o Women: Water Street between Fulton Street and Peck Slip.
- Atzeres begins at 2:00 p.m., estimated duration 90 minutes.
- The Atzeres will consist ofMincha, Tehillimandtefillosb’Tzibbur, ending withOl Malchus Shomayim, led by Gedolei Yisroel.
- Participants are advised to bring a Siddur/Tehillim.
SECURITY
- All participants are asked tocooperate fullywith the New York Police Department (NYPD), which will have a strong presence including counter terrorism and plainclothes officers.
- Volunteer marshals will help direct the flow of participants and provide information as necessary. Marshals will be easily identifiable by their bright orange vests.
- For security reasons, please do not bring backpacks or briefcases.
- To maintain the dignity and decorum of the event, please do not bring any signs or banners.
TRANSPORTATION and ACCESS
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- Please expect extensive street closures throughout the Lower Manhattan area.
- Participants arestronglyurged to use Mass Transit. Please check local stations as various ongoing repair projects may result in diversions. (There may not be any Q service on Sunday in Flatbush and Sheepshead Bay – please use crosstown buses to the F train on McDonald Avenue.)
- The MTA will provide extra trains as needed.
- Please make sure that your metro card has enough funds for the return fare to avoid bottlenecks after the end of the Atzeres.
- For those who must come by car, we strongly suggest parking either in Staten Island and taking a free ferry to Battery Park which is one block from the Atzeres, or parking in Downtown Brooklyn or Midtown Manhattan and taking a train to the Atzeres site.
- For those arriving by chartered bus, please note that all buses must approach via the West Side of Manhattan. Police will direct the buses to parking areas. Please remain on the bus until it is parked to facilitate finding the right bus home (as there will be many buses lining the streets).
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Careful thought should be given regarding the advisability of elderly or handicapped individuals attending in view of street closures, weather conditions, the expected large crowd and the lack of accessible accommodations.
- Although the weather forecast is for milder temperatures than have prevailed in recent weeks, please dress warmly.
- Restroom facilities will be available at various points throughout the area.
Further information and updates will be available at www.atzerestefillah.org or by calling 212-444-1323.
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