Three rabbis hike 15 miles from Brooklyn to Bronx weekly to lead synagogue

[rug]

BY Daniel Beekman
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Sunday, September 25th 2011, 4:00 AM



It could be New York's longest schlep: Every Saturday, young rabbis trudge 15 miles from Brooklyn to worship with some of the last Jews left in one Bronx neighborhood.

The ultra-Orthodox rabbis lead a small Parkchester synagogue housed in the same ramshackle building as an Islamic school and a mosque.

"It takes them four hours and sometimes the weather is terrible," said synagogue member Harvey Weiner, 82. "But without them, we'd be lost."

The rabbis and rabbinical students make the grueling journey - rain, snow or shine - because Parkchester's Jewish population has dwindled and the synagogue has no rabbi of its own.



http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/09/25/2011-09-25_faithful_journeys_three_rabbis_hike_15_miles_weekly_to_lead_synagogue.html

[MADem]

1. Notice how fit and trim they are.

This used to be the way people got from point A to point B...you walked!

That is one heckuva schlep, though, even for the "olden days" when people were more accustomed to schlepping!

[rug]

2. Here's their route.

"Notik, 25, crossed the Williamsburg Bridge to Manhattan with the sun rising behind him and hiked up First Ave., all the way to East Harlem, pausing to drink at playground water fountains.

"The slim, bearded rabbi crossed the Willis Ave. Bridge to the Bronx and strode past bodegas and auto shops on Westchester Ave., waving to curious passersby. 'I don't get tired,' he said. 'Well, maybe in the snow.'"

[MADem]

4. I wonder if they ever take a lift the night before?

They'd have to stay overnight, but it would certainly make it easier in the winter...!

[Meshuga]

8. They do not catch a ride from sunset on Friday night...

...Until sunset Saturday evening. I'm sure they catch a ride back on Saturday night after havdalah. :-)

[Ian David]

3. That first photo looks like an album cover for a Jewish rap music album. n/t

[rug]

9. Looks more Dylanesque.

[xchrom]

5. Excellent. Nt

[Jim__]

6. Do they walk back too?

Or, do they ride the subway back on Sunday? I didn't see the article address that.

[Historic NY]

7. I hope they find a good Deli for sustenance.