Vishnitz In Kiamesha Lake
In 2000, Vishnitz of Monsey established its yeshiva for high school-aged and older students in Kiamesha Lake. Efforts continue to be implemented toward expanding the planned year-round community there with the yeshiva as its nucleus. As a giant step in that direction, Rabbi Mordechai Hager, Monsey Vishnitzer Rebbe, began to conduct periodic Shabbosim there on Shabbos Yisro, January 19-20, 2002.
The following day the Rebbe formally set a foundation stone for the present home of his son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, who was appointed and continues to serve as the Kiamesha Vishnitzer Rav. Rabbi Menachem Mendel began his formal residence and tenure there when the first phase of one hundred year-round homes were completed later that year.
The small town and lake known as Kiamesha Lake in the Catskills region in upper New York State was known as Pleasant Lake until its post office officially became Kiamesha (without the “Lake”). In 1886, Summer Homes, a local directory publication, listed Pleasant Lake as a “beautiful sheet of water between Monticello and Fallsburg.” Pleasant Lake was a localized listing only and used almost exclusively by its few residents.
In 1896, a formal drive was mounted to change the name of Pleasant Lake to Kiamesha or Kiamesha Lake. Before the Kiamesha Post Office was established on June 20, 1899, the town was listed under the Monticello Post Office. In 1898, Pleasant Lake was becoming a relatively well-developed summer resort with many New York City visitors regularly coming to its cottages and hotels. The name was still officially Pleasant Lake, but most people started calling the town Kiamesha or Kiamesha Lake.
In 1898, fourteen establishments were listed under “Monticello-Kiamesha Lake ” (Monticello Post Office). The name “Kiamesha” was so widely used that a post office under that name was finally designated. On December 1, 1938, the word “Lake” was officially tacked onto the town’s name.
Vishnitz/Skver Chassunah
On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, Yochanan Hager will marry Margolia (Pearl) the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Hager; son of Rabbi Yisroel Hager, Monsey Vishnitzer Rav; son of the Monsey Vishnitzer Rebbe. Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, father of the kallah, is a son-in-law of Rabbi Dovid Twersky, Skverer Rebbe. The father of the chassan is Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, Kiamesha Lake Vishnitzer Rav; son of the Monsey Vishnitzer Rebbe, and son-in-law of Rabbi Chai Yitzchok Twersky, Rachmestrivka Rebbe. Rabbi Yisroel Hager, grandfather of the kallah, is a son-in-law of Rabbi Elazar Meisels, zt”l (1914-1995), Uheiler Rav of Chicago and Miami.
The father of the chassan and the grandfather of the kallah are brothers. The Vishnitzer Rebbe is the grandfather of the chassan and great-grandfather of the kallah; The Skverer Rebbe is the grandfather of the kallah and twice great-uncle of the chassan. The Monsey Vishnitzer Rebbe and the Rachmestrivka Rebbe are both sons-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Twersky (1899-1968), zt”l, previous Skverer Rebbe, and thus brothers-in-law of the present Skverer Rebbe.
The Shabbos aufruf will take place on Shabbos Noach, October 19-20. The chassunah, together with the customary pre-wedding celebrations, will take place in the main Vishnitzer Beis Medrash in Monsey, graced by the participation of the Vishnitzer Rebbe. Kabbalas panim is scheduled for 5 p.m. for men in the Main Beis Medrash and for ladies in the adjacent Heichal Rinah V’Tefila. The chuppah will be conducted on an elevated platform in front of the main Skverer Beis Medrash at 13 Truman Avenue in New Square at 6 p.m. followed by the wedding banquet meal which will be served for men in the Main Beis Medrash and for ladies in the nearby Ateres Charna Hall.
Chassunah and Shabbos Lech Lecha sheva berachos accommodations for guests from outside New Square can be arranged by calling 845-354-5969 or by fax at 845-354-6702.
Bus fleet transportation to the wedding on Wednesday will be available as follows:
From the corner of Bedford Avenue at Hewes Street in Williamsburg at 4, 5, 5:35, 6:45, 8:15 and 9:45 p.m. Buses will return after the chuppah at 11:15 and after the mitzvah tantz.
From the corners of 49th Street beginning at 18th Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway in Boro Park at 3:30, 4:15, 5:30, 7:30, and 9:15 p.m. Buses will return after the chuppah at 11:15 pm and after the mitzvah tantz.