The Shomrei Shabbos Shul on 13th Avenue in Boro Park is probably the most famous shul in America if not the world. The Itzkowitz Shul in Bnei Brak is celebrated as a minyan factory. El Al once had an aggressive advertising campaign boasting that one could daven Shacharis at the Itzkowitz Shul in Bnei Brak, fly El Al, and arrived in New York in time to daven Minchah at the Shomrei Shabbos Shul in Boro Park. Now, Woodbourne’s Nikolsburger beis medrash ranks with Shomrei Shabbos and Itzkowitz.

On Shabbos in Woodbourne, the Nikolsburger Rebbe leads tefillos and tisch in the shul. The shalosh seudos that lasts beyond the regular Havdalah and a grand melaveh malkah draw large crowds and are appreciated not only by those living nearby, but by those who drive there as well.

Advertisement




Another component the Nikolsburger Rebbe introduced in Woodbourne is a constant smorgasbord of cake, nosh, and drinks set out at all times. In addition, during late afternoon and evening hours, chulent and kugel (potato and noodle) are served to all takers. As in Boro Park, the Nikolsburger Rebbe generously provides physical as well as spiritual nourishment.

As more and more sefarim were being brought into the shul daily, the facility offered visitors to Woodbourne a retreat where they were able to learn their Daf Yomi, Mishnah, Gemara, Chumash, or Shulchan Aruch daily shiur, or recite Tehillim in tranquil surroundings. The opening of the shul 24/7 has had a profound effect on Woodbourne. Watching men and boys on Main Street during the summer rushing to catch a minyan at all hours was a vision of the Nikolsburger Rebbe that materialized.

Nikolsburger Genealogy

Rabbi Mordechai Zev Jungreis, Nikolsburger Rebbe of Boro Park and of Woodbourne, is the youngest son of Rabbi Elazar Aryeh Jungreis, zt”l (1897-1990), Chenger Rav and author of Beis Asher; son and successor of Rabbi Asher Anshel Jungreisz, zt”l Hy”d (1875-1944), Chenger Rav; son of Rabbi Avrohom Jungreisz, zt”l (d. 1904), Chenger Rav and author of Beis Avrohom; son of Rabbi Asher Anshel Jungreisz, zt”l (1806-1873), Chenger Rav and revered author of Menuchas Asher.

Stechiner Rebbe Visits Kiryas Yoel

Shabbos Shemos was grandly celebrated in Kiryas Yoel, led by Rabbi Mordechai Menashe Silber, Stechiner Rebbe in Boro Park. Many residents of Kiryas Yoel have been inviting the Stechiner Rebbe to infuse them with the passion and zeal that radiates from the Stechiner Beis Medrash at 1437 54th Street in Boro Park, where every Shabbos is exhilarating. Watching the Stechiner Rebbe go home after davening on Shabbos is a spectacle. The Rebbe is surrounded by many chassidim, all straining to catch any word spoken. The group walks up 14th Avenue, in the middle of the street. Oncoming cars see the crowd and swerve to the right and to the left.

As news of the Stechiner Rebbe coming to Kiryas Yoel spread, residents scheduled their Shabbos activities to correspond to the anticipated Stechiner Shabbos, The Rebbe arrived on Thursday morning, January 26. That afternoon the Rebbe went from one yeshiva to another and one kollel to another. At each stop, the Rebbe delivered inspirational discourses. That evening he gave a shiur on chassidus and the week’s parshah at Beis Medrash Binyan Ariel.

The Stechiner Rebbe’s Shabbos tefillos and tisch were held at Keren Vayoel Moshe Hall, where meals for all the guests and many residents were served. Zemiros were heartily sung according to the minhag of Rozvodov and Ropshitz, interspersed with divrei Torah. The tefillos and tisch drew standing-room-only crowds. The highlight of the Stechiner Rebbe’s visit was the shalosh seudos, where listeners heard searing mussar from the Rebbe.

The home of Yisroel Dov Goldberger served as Stechiner headquarters. In addition to hosting the Rebbe, Mr. Goldberger is assuming a great share of the costs of expanding the Stechiner Beis Medrash in Boro Park. A majestic melaveh malkah was conducted at the home of Refael Eckstein where many Kiryas Yoel residents came to participate and be blessed by the Rebbe.

Advertisement

1
2
SHARE
Previous articleUN Sec-Gen Condemns Palestinian Rocket Fire Into Israel
Next articleProminent Egyptian Comedian Convicted of ‘Defaming Islam’