The site is known as the Ohel, a Hebrew term for a tent or structure built over a grave.
Visitors write personal petitions on paper, which are then placed at the gravesite to be burned, a practice deeply rooted in Chabad tradition.
The site attracts a diverse demographic, including many non-Jewish individuals who view the Rebbe as a spiritual leader.
It remains accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, year-round.
The visitor center provides complimentary refreshments and study materials for pilgrims.
The site was established on the burial grounds of Rabbi Schneerson's father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.
The Ohel, located at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights, Queens, is the resting place of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. It serves as a pilgrimage site for tens of thousands of visitors annually who come to pray, reflect, and submit written petitions at the gravesite. The site includes a visitor center, a synagogue, and a library equipped with resources for study and prayer. It operates continuously to accommodate the constant flow of international pilgrims. The structure provides a sheltered space for visitors to read psalms and prepare letters, known as 'panim', before visiting the burial site itself.
The exterior of the main synagogue building and the landscaped pathway leading to the Ohel.
Write your petition or letter before you arrive to ensure you have quiet time to reflect.
Bring a pen and paper if you intend to write a letter, though supplies are often available on-site.
Dress in modest, respectful clothing suitable for a cemetery and house of prayer.
Avoid speaking loudly or taking photographs near the gravesite itself out of respect for those praying.
Open 24/7, including holidays and weekends.
Modest dress is required; men should cover their heads, and women should dress modestly. Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor throughout the grounds.
