For Shabbos Shemos, January 4-5, the group originally planned to stay in Kiev. However, the sub-freezing weather overburdened the snowbound city, causing the intended hotel’s heating systems to systematically fail. So the group traveled on to Berditchev, where Shabbos was celebrated in the beis medrash of Rabbi Shlomo Yom-Tov Breier.
After Shabbos the group moved on to Skver, where Rabbi Yaakov Yosef was privileged to place tefillin on a boy who was bar mitzvah that day. After Shacharis on Sunday, the group stopped at the ohel of Rabbi Yitzchok (Reb Itzikel) of Skver, zt”l (1812-1885), and his sons.
On the final leg of the trip, stops were made at gravesites in Rachmestrivka, Shpola, Tolna, Chitchelnik and Mezubish.
Lutzker Rebbe Coming To Williamsburg
Rabbi Yochanon Shochet, Lutzker Rebbe in Jerusalem, is expected in Williamsburg for Shabbos Mishpatim, February 8-9. The Lutzker Rebbe is the son of Rabbi Ezra Shochet; son-in-law of Rabbi Yochanon Perlow, zt”l (1900-1956), Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe; youngest son of Rabbi Yisroel Perlow, zt”l (1868-1921), Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe who succeeded his father, Rabbi Asher Perlow, zt”l (d. 1873), Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe. Rabbi Yochanan (d. 1921) was four years old when his father passed away, and is known as the Frankfurter because he died in Frankfurt and is buried there. Rabbi Asher (d. 1873) was the son of Rabbi Aaron Perlow, zt”l (1802-1872), Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe and author of Beis Aaron; son of Rabbi Asher Perlow, zt”l (1765-1826), Karlin-Stolin Rebbe; son of Rabbi Aaron Perlow, zt”l (1736-1772), founding Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe and known as Rebbe Aaron Hagadol. Rabbi Boruch Meir Yaakov Shochet, older brother of the Lutzker Rebbe, is today’s Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe. Today’s Lutzker Rebbe is a son-in-law of Rabbi Yisroel Zvi Yair Danziger, Aleksander Rebbe.
Rabbi Yochanon Perlow served as the Stolin-Lutzker Rebbe. He was in Russia during the Holocaust. After the war he returned to Germany but did not reveal his identity. In 1946 he immigrated to Palestine where he was declared Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe. After a short stay in Haifa he immigrated to the United States and was accepted as the leader of the Stoliner Beis Medrash in Williamsburg. His brother, Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Perlow, zt”l (d. 1946), had preceded him and established the Stoliner Beis Medrash in Williamsburg. Rabbi Yaakov Chaim lived mostly in Detroit, where he was known as the Detroit Rebbe, and is buried there. One year after Rabbi Yochanon Perlow passed away in 1956, his body was brought from America and re-interred in Teverya.
Lodging and hospitality arrangements for the rebbe’s visit are being organized by hachnassas orchim committees here and in Israel. The committee can be reached at 917-805-4844.
Tolna Rebbe In America
Rabbi Yitzchok Menachem Weinberg, Tolna Rebbe of Jerusalem, arrived in the United States on Sunday, January 14 for a short visit. The Rebbe stayed first in Boro Park, at the family home of Moshe Diamond. For Shabbos Bo, January 18-19, the Tolna Rebbe conducted tefillas and tisch in Lakewood. After Shabbos the rebbe proceeded to Monsey, where he was hosted at the home of Meir Yechiel Knobloch.
The Tolna Rebbe of Jerusalem is a dynamic speaker and a recognized authority on Torah education who speaks to all audiences. He was an intimate and disciple of Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, zt”l (1927-1996), Gerer Rebbe and author of Pnei Menachem.
Today’s Tolna Rebbe of Jerusalem is the grandson of Rabbi Yochanon Twersky, zt”l (1906-1998), fourth Tolna Rebbe who moved to Montreal in 1934 and later settled in Bayit Vegan; son of Rabbi Dovid Mordechai Twersky, zt”l (1888-1956), third Tolna Rebbe who immigrated to America in 1913, escaping persecution and thus becoming one of the first chassidishe rebbes here; eldest son of Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky, zt”l (1869-1915), second Tolna Rebbe; son of Rabbi Mordechai Twerskey, zt”l (1847-1876); son of Rabbi Dovid Twersky, zt”l (1808-1882), first Tolna Rebbe and author of Birkas Dovid; son of Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, zt”l (1770-1837), Chernobler Rebbe and author of Lekutei Torah; son of Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky, zt”l (1730-1797), founding Chernobler Rebbe and author of Meor Einayim.