My Machberes,Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Lakewood Shabbos In Brooklyn

The roshei yeshiva of Lakewood's Beth Medrash Govoha spent Shabbos Vayeitzei, December 1-2 in Boro Park and Flatbush. Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler was hosted by Mr. Yosef Tabak; Rabbi Yerucham Olshin by Chaim Zev Stern; Rabbi Yisroel Neuman by Boruch Hertz; Rabbi Doid Schustal was at the home of Reuven Wolf, 1619 51st Street; and Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon stayed at the home of Avraham Biderman.

Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin, and Rabbi Schustal

(Photo by Tsemach Glenn)

The roshei yeshiva davened the Shabbos tefillos at 16 different shuls. After Shacharis at Khal Keser Yisroel Mordechai, 1301 East 8th Street, led by Rabbi Meir Plotnick, Rabbi Olshin was feted at a grand kiddush. Rabbi Olshin also delivered a shiur at 7:00 p.m. on Motzaei Shabbos at Khal Beis Avrohom, 1124 East 23rd Street, led by Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam.

The special Shabbos of Beth Medrash Govoha's "Weekend of Chizuk" served as the prelude to its annual dinner fundraiser held at Ateres Chynka Hall on Motzaei Shabbos. Dinner circulars indicated that its kashrus supervision was under the Va'ad HaKashrus of Lakewood (KCL).

Agudah Convention Breaks Ground

Thousands gathered at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn., to participate in the Agudah's 84th annual convention during the Thanksgiving weekend. Keynote sessions took place on Thursday night and Motzaei Shabbos. To convey the magnitude of the inspiration and introspection that the convention imparts is impossible within the confines of a newspaper column. Serving as a directional event for observant Jewry, what is said at the annual Agudah convention resonates loudly and always commands the attention of rabbis and intellectuals around the globe.

In The Jewish Press

An issue that is continually addressed within the pages of The Jewish Press is that of the Internet and its reporting and delivery of many divergent opinions. Whole columns in The Jewish Press by astute writers are devoted to countering and exposing the fallacies and deliberate misinterpretations presented by known entities, as well as anonymous writers.

The observant community has little tolerance for such calculated deviations from the truth. The yeshiva community in Lakewood has literally banished the Internet from its private homes and rigidly limited its use in business. Home businesses within the yeshiva community in Lakewood need specific consent from the community's dayanim for Internet use.

Grappling With The Internet

The Agudah has been wrestling with the Internet issue since its introduction. While various rabbinical organizations had endorsed business usage of the Internet through filtering services, the Agudah maintained its prohibition of it, while continuously reviewing its position. Several meetings were set up through the years by the Agudah to review the threat of the Internet and its inroads into the observant community. At an Agudah meeting in September, 2003, a report of Internet usage within observant communities revealed that in Boro Park, Flatbush, and Williamsburg, more than 90 percent of the homes in each community were hooked up to the Internet.

Breaking New Ground

At the Thursday night plenary session of this year's convention, Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, Rosh Yeshiva Maor Yitzchok; Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudah vice president; and Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon, mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, focused their attention on participants of Internet discussions. The highly respected speakers called upon them to apply the same demeanor and respect on the Internet as they would in a beis midrash. The directives literally were ice-breaking, bringing the Agudah to deal with prevailing realities of the Internet.

Kosover Galante Chasunah

On Tuesday, December 12, Moshe Hager will marry Hinda Etya Eichenstein, daughter of Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Menachem Eichenstein, Galante Rebbe, at the Continental Hall in Williamsburg. The chassan is the son of Rabbi Shraga Feivish Hager, Kosover Rebbe. The aufruf on Shabbos Vayishlach, December 8-9, as well as tefillos and tisch, will be held at the Kosover Beis Midrash, 1401 53rd Street in Boro Park. Shabbos Vayeishev sheva berachos will be held in Williamsburg.

Kosover Rebbe (Photo by Heshy Rubinstein)

The chassan is a grandson of Rabbi Shlomo Yaakov Zeida (Brandwein) Eichenstein, zt"l (1899-1963), Burshteener Rebbe, who authored Shma Yaakov and emigrated to America in 1936; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Menachem Eichenstein, zt"l (1879-1943), Podheitzer Rebbe; son of Rabbi Shlomo Yaakov Eichenstein, zt"l (d. 1886), Ziditchover Rebbe; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Eichenstein, zt"l (1805-1873), Ziditchover Rebbe; son of Rabbi Yesochor Berish Eichenstein, zt"l (d. 1832), Ziditchover Rebbe; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Eichenstein, zt"l (1740-1800), founding Ziditchover Rebbe.

The Kosover Rebbe is a grandson of Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Hager, zt"l, Kosover Rebbe; son of Rabbi Shraga Feivish Hager, zt"l (1870-1937), Zelitzchiker Rebbe; son of Rabbi Boruch Hager, zt"l (1845-1892), Vishnitzer Rebbe. The Zelitzchiker Rebbe was a son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Hager, zt"l (1860-1925), Kosover Rebbe and author of Leket Oni.

Today's Kosover Rebbe is a son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim Rosner, Satmar Rav of London; son of Rabbi Shmuel Rosner, preeminent posek and author of Shevet Levi. The Kosover Rebbe also serves as dayan for the Vishnitzer Kehillah Toras Chaim in Boro Park and is highly regarded and respected. Many knock on his doors at all hours of the day and night with halachic queries.

Verpeleter Chasunah

On Tuesday, December 5, Yitzchok Isaac Menashe Tannenbaum married Miriam Shifra Fekete, daughter of Rabbi Dovid Fekete of London, at the Bracha Sima Hall, 241 Keap Street, in Williamsburg. The chassan is the son Rabbi Naftali Zev Tannenbaum, rav of Khal Ayelet HaShachar Verpelet in Kiryas Yoel. The aufruf took place at the beis midrash this past Shabbos Vayeitzei.

The chassan is the grandson of Rabbi Sholom Dov Tannenbaum, zt"l (1918-1991), Mildower Rav; son of Rabbi Moshe Tannenbaum, zt"l Hy"d (1886-1944), Mildower Rav and author of Masiyos Moshe; son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tannenbaum, zt"l Hy"d (1849-1944), Torna Rav, who was the author of Shearis Menachem and honorary president of the Vaad Horabbonim of Czechoslovakia. Rabbi Moshe was the son-in-law of Rabbi Mayer Tannenbaum, zt"l (1854-1928), Putnaker Rav and author of Imrei Meir and Ginzei Meir.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Rabbi Mayer were both sons of Rabbi Yaakov Tannenbaum, zt"l (1832-1896), Putnaker Rav and author of Nihari Afarsemon. Rabbi Menachem Mendel was the son-in-law of Rabbi Shraga Zvi Tannenbaum, zt"l (1826-1897), Chahter Rav and author of Nita Sorek. Rabbi Shraga Zvi and Rabbi Yaakov were sons of Rabbi Zev Wolf Tannenbaum, zt"l (1787-1872), Verpleleter Rav, author of Rechovos HaNohor, and patriarch of the Tannenbaum rabbinic dynasty.

Satmar's Annual Main Event

On Monday evening, 21 Kislev (December 11), the Satmar community as well as chassidishe communities around the world will celebrate the annual observance of the miraculous rescue of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt"l (1886-1979), founding Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel. Incredibly, an entire transport of Jewish personalities was smuggled out of the clutches of heavily bribed Nazi monsters. On this day in 1944, the revered Satmar Rebbe was smuggled into Switzerland. His escape ultimately enabled the reorganization and revitalization of the decimated Satmar chassidishe community after the Holocaust.

Launched in America in 1947 with just seven students, the Williamsburg Satmar educational networks today have an enrollment of more than 10,000 students in the greater New York metropolitan area alone. There are presently substantial Satmar communities all over the globe, including Israel, Australia, Canada, Europe, and South America, as well as in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and elsewhere.

Last year's Williamsburg's Satmar Yeshiva budget figures indicated an annual expenditure of more than $30 million dollars, annual heating costs of $300,000, electric bills totaling $750, 000, and bus transportation costs exceeding $900,000. The yeshiva serves 20,000 meals daily. In addition to its educational institutions and synagogues, Satmar has built an exceptionally appreciated and highly praised network of bikur cholim volunteer organizations. The work of the Satmar Bikur Cholim can be observed at any of the major New York City hospitals to which buses deliver volunteers who distribute glatt kosher meals to the ill and their family attendants at no charge. Passengers board the buses, and then scores of shopping bags full of hot freshly cooked meals are loaded on.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 chassidim will converge at the celebration, led by Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe residing in Williamsburg, within the steel frames of Satmar's planned new shul at 550 Bedford Avenue. The location has special meaning for Satmar, as it was where the Divrei Yoel established his first large shul in the United States. Thousands of chassidim would cram into every nook and free space to see and participate in Simchas Torah hakafos as well as all other functions led by the Divrei Yoel.

River Plaza Hall

On Monday, December 11, tens of thousands of chassidim will gather in the River Plaza, a 76,000 square foot hall at 11 West Street and 23 Oak Street in Williamsburg to mark the 62nd anniversary dinner of the Divrei Yoel's rescue. The event will be led by Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe residing in Kiryas Yoel and oldest son of the late Rebbe.

The Universe Of Satmar

In years past, the Satmar 21 Kislev Dinner was the single largest annual Jewish affair held anywhere in the world. Held at such huge venues as the Jacob J. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, attendance years ago was estimated at well over 30,000, with participants sometimes brought by ferries from the shores of Williamsburg.

Today, Satmar is led by two rebbes. Presently, three full-sized Yiddish weeklies serve the community in addition to innumerable periodical publications, keeping the membership fully abreast of internal developments all over the world.

Yeshiva Of Monsey Honors Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky

The Yeshiva of Monsey will hold its first annual dinner, at Ateres Avrohom hall in Williamsburg, December 7. The fundraiser hopefully will strengthen the yeshiva's finances, which are currently challenged by its recent construction of a much-needed dormitory.

The event will have the participation of Rabbi Moshe Green, the eminent rosh yeshiva, who recently suffered a stroke but is well on his way to a complete recovery. The Rosh Yeshiva's recovery is being greatly helped by Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky, noted health activist The dinner will honor Rabbi Twersky for his invaluable assistance to the rosh yeshiva.

Rabbi Moshe Green (Photo by Heshy Rubinstein)

Rabbi Twersky is the eldest son of Rabbi Dovid Twersky, zt"l (1921-2001), late Skwere Rebbe of Boro Park; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky, zt"l (1888-1941), Skverer Rebbe, who arrived in America in 1923; son of Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, zt"l (1866-1919), Skverer Rebbe who succumbed during a plague in the city of Kiev while his father was still alive; son of Rabbi Dovid Twersky, zt"l (1848-1919), Skverer Rebbe; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky, zt"l (1812-1845), Skverer Rebbe who assumed the mantle of leadership several years after his father passed away; son of Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, zt"l (1770-1837), Chernobler Rebbe and author of Likutei Torah; son of Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky, zt"l (1730-1787), founding Chernobler Rebbe and a disciple of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, zt"l (1688-1760), founder of the Chassidic movement, and of Rabbi Dov Ber, zt"l (1704-1772), the paragon Maggid of Mezeritch and successor to the Baal Shem Tov.

Before the world knew of medical referral services or the benefit of second opinions, the young Rabbi Dovid Twersky (the late Boro Park Skwere Rebbe) had, in the early 1940's, already established an invaluable network of superb medical professionals with outstanding reputations, greatly respected by their colleagues. Rabbi Dovid had an uncanny ability to find doctors and surgeons who themselves were ahead of their time.

Throughout his life, the Skverer Rebbe was known to be a singular expert of matching renowned doctors and surgeons to the ill and needy who knocked on his door. The Skwere Rebbe, whose doors never closed, never hesitated in critical cases to pick up the telephone and call a doctor or surgeon regardless of the late hour. Today's Boro Park Skwere Rebbe, Rabbi Yechiel Mechel Twersky, meticulously maintains the hallowed work of his holy father.

Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky, the event's honoree, also capitalizes on his father's extensive groundwork and consults with specialists nationwide. In recognition of Rabbi Yitzchok Twersky's superlative chesed, the yeshiva will erect Shaar Yitzchok - a dedicated gateway.

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