Shabbos in Williamsburg: Over 200 Uman Travelers Assisted After Flight Delay

A tense situation developed at JFK Airport on Friday when flights carrying Yidden returning from Uman, Ukraine, landed less than two hours before zman Shabbos, after being delayed on the runway before takeoff. In total, about three separate flights arrived, carrying over 200 passengers who suddenly faced the possibility of being stranded so close to Shabbos. With the clock ticking, a united effort by askonim, community organizations, airline staff, and law enforcement ensured the travelers were cared for with dignity.

On the ground at JFK, askonim Mattis Melnicke and Rabbi Berish Freilich worked directly with U.S. Customs officers and Port Authority Police to expedite disembarkation and help escort the weary passengers through security as quickly as possible. At the same time, UJO reached out to the office of Congressman Mike Lawler, and his senior advisor, Rafi Zilberberg, was notified of the urgent situation. Thanks to these efforts, more than 200 passengers were cleared from passport control in record time.

To save valuable time at the airport, Achiezer from Queens provided a truck to collect and transport all the passengers’ luggage. In addition, the airline ground crew worked tirelessly to expedite baggage handling, allowing the travelers to leave immediately without wasting precious minutes waiting for suitcases.

From JFK, Williamsburg Chaveirim arranged buses to bring the travelers to their destinations. Williamsburg Shomrim volunteers escorted the convoys, ensuring passengers reached their locations before Shabbos. While many travelers were brought safely to communities such as Boro Park, Monsey, and the Five Towns, others remained in Williamsburg. For them, Pardas Faiga Hall was prepared as the main drop-off location, where Chaveirim organized food and sleeping accommodations so that everyone could spend Shabbos properly. Williamsburg Shomrim and officers from the NYPD 90th Precinct, including the Commanding Officer, maintained a strong security presence throughout the evening and Shabbos.

What began as a deeply concerning situation became a Kiddush Hashem. With askonim like Mattis Melnicke and Rabbi Berish Freilich, UJO, Achiezer, U.S. Customs, Port Authority Police, Congressman Lawler’s office, Chaveirim, Shomrim, the NYPD, and the airline ground crew all working together, hundreds of Yidden were spared from chaos and instead welcomed into their communities with care and compassion. The sight of Shomrim-escorted buses pulling up to Williamsburg and beyond just before Shabbos was a striking reminder of what the community can achieve when achdus and chesed guide every action.