A Great-granddaughter was born to the Belzer Rebbe shlita. Reb Shulem Rokeach shlita, the Rebbe’s eldest granddson had a baby girl this past Shabbos. The Kiddush will be celebrated in the Great Belz Shul in Yerushalayim this Shabbos, Parshas Yisro.
Following the success of Belz Institutions in Israel’s trip to Kerestir for prominent donors, another event is scheduled for beneficiaries in Eretz Yisroel. Reb Aharon Mordechai Rokeach shlita, son of the Belzer Rebbe slit’’a, will travel to Kivrei Tzaddikim in Europe before his daughter’s wedding in June, accompanied by a group of “נושא הממלכה” donors from Eretz Yisroel.
A current story of a “Blessed Chanukah Coin” from the Belzer Rebbe shlita
Two weeks ago, the Belz Lakewood community held a fundraising dinner, where Reb Duvid Rokeach shlita, the grandson of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, was honored to attend.
One of the guest speakers at the event was a renowned Maggid Shiur from Kiryas Yoel, Reb Mordechai Hersh Spitzer shlita. At the end of his speech, he shared an astounding story that captivated the audience and ended up making the rounds in Jewish circles all over the world (the speaker noted that when he shares a story, he prefers to share actual details, including names):
“A Bobov Chassid, Reb Yechezkel Shlome Halberstam shlita, son of the Rudnik Rebbe shlita and the proprietor of a pharmacy in Brooklyn – The Medicine Chest – shared with me that one day he noticed one of his customers walk into the pharmacy with a pained expression on his face. “I thought for sure he was just diagnosed with the dreaded disease,’ said Reb Shlome, ‘his face looked as if he had gone through the worst!”.
Reb Shlome could not stand on the side. He approached his customer and asked, “Why do you look so pained today?”
His customer broke down in tears and said: “I am healthy, Baruch Hashem, but I am pained by the fact that my beloved son, my eldest, left our home and has strayed from the path of Yiddishkeit. Months have passed, and we have not heard from him. I cannot eat, drink, or sleep regularly. I keep thinking, “What can I do to merit seeing my dear son return to us?”.
Reb Shlome told the Yid: “Listen to me. This year, after Chanukah, I received from a Belzer friend of mine, who owed me a favor, a blessed Chanukah coin from the Belzer Rebbe shlita. Everyone knows that the Belzer Rebbe shlita davens for the welfare of all the Yidden in our generation. I am sure that the prayers, blessings, and merits accompanying this coin will positively affect your son. I am loaning you this precious ‘מטבע קודש’ – holy coin – to place it inside a belonging of your wayward son”.
A short time later, the father entered the pharmacy, approached Reb Shlome, and cried joyfully, saying, “You will not believe what happened. I placed the coin in my son’s tefillin bag and davened that my son should come home. Soon thereafter, my son returned home, strengthened his Yiddishkeit, started davening daily, and is now putting on tefillin every day!” The overjoyed father told the pharmacist: “I am returning the blessed coin you loaned me; thank you!”.
Reb Mordche Hersh Spitzer took a coin from his pocket and showed it to the awe-inspired crowd, saying: “This is the blessed coin”. My friend Reb Shlome Yechezkel lent it to me to showcase at this event.
Reb Mordche Hersh concluded: “The Rebbe of Belz davens for the wellbeing of your Mosdos – institutions – for the chinuch of your children and for the welfare of all of Klal Yisroel – the worldwide Jewish community. Now is the time to show support and contribute to your holy institutions, partnering in the great work of your holy Rebbe shlita!”.
The speech/story did not end there.
One of the participants, Reb Levi Tzvi Klein, stood up and exclaimed: “I am the friend who brought this coin from Yerushalayim and gave it to my friend Reb Shlome Yechezkel Halberstam!”.
Following a dry winter season in Eretz Yisroel, the Belzer Rebbe shlita, amongst many Gedolie Yisroel (prominent Rabbanim) in Eretz Yisroel, signed a petition urging Klal Yisroel from around the world to daven for rain to fall in Eretz Yisroel.
Belz Institutions in Israel ensure the best chinuch education possible. Educational consultants, psychologists and representatives of the special education team met at the Talmud Torah of Haifa. During the meeting, a joint action plan was implemented to deal with children experiencing emotional difficulties or problematic behavior and how to detect arising issues before the issue becomes a real problem. Looking forward, these struggling schoolchildren will benefit from the insights, discussions, and ideas tabled at this meeting, hoping to see them grow into confident, solid, and respectful individuals.
Reb Dovid Rokeach shlita, the grandson of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, spent the past Shabbos in Lakewood, inspiring and uplifting the growing Belz community. Following the Shabbos Seudah meal, a beautiful gathering was held in the Belz Shul, where Reb Duvid led the singing and delivered poignant Divrei Torah with words of chizuk—encouragement.
Reb Dovid led the Shabbos morning meal with the bochurim of the highest grade. He gave them a warm heads-up about coming to Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel next year and said: “From now on, we are friends; when you arrive in Eretz Hakodesh — the holy land, whatever you may need, I will be there for you.”
Reb Duvid led a beautiful Shalosh Seudas and Motzei Shabbos replete with zemiros. He visited all the Belz Shteebles in the Belz enclave in Lakewood and each class in the Belz Talmud Torah, giving each boy a Chanukah coin from the Belzer Rebbe shlita.
A Belzer chassid, Reb Avidgdor Fried, lives on the corner of Kiryas Belz. A few months ago, he devised a simple yet effective solution to communicate to the Belz community the timing of the Belzer Rebbe shlita’s tisch on Shabbos on Yom Tov. Months ago, he devised a simple yet effective solution: raising a white flag to signal the start of the tisch. This allowed Chassidim to be in the area to prepare for the Rebbe’s arrival.
He came up with a more sophisticated solution in place of the flag. A special flashing projector has been installed atop a tall pole. The light operates similarly to a patented Shabbos lamp, with a convert that, when removed, allows the light to flash brightly, signaling the start of the tisch. The flashing light can be seen from afar, ensuring that chassidim from as far as Shamgar and Tnuva are alerted to rush to join the Rebbe.
The new system ensures that no one misses the tisch, regardless of schedule changes.
Following the Shabbos Tahareinu initiative, Reb Naftuli Shuvaks shlita of the Global Belz Vaad Hachinuch—Education Committee shared with the Rebbe of Belz shlita a list of undertakings that the bochurim of the Belz Yeshivas took upon themselves to refrain from using technology.
The renowned Maggid, Harav Reb Elimelech Biderman shlita, visited the Belzer Rebbe shlita this week together with his son, a chassan, to receive a bracha from the Rebbe upon the chassan’s upcoming wedding.
Reb Elimelech shared with the Belzer Rebbe that he spent the past Shabbos at a “Tzohar Retreat” for Belz Yungerleit in Eretz Yisroel. Tzohar, an outreach organization under Belz Institutions in Israel, conducts outreach seminars for Baal Teshuva’s, as well as retreats for Belz Chassidim worldwide to keep them in touch and connected. Said Reb Elimelech: “I came to give inspiration and was inspired by the way the Belzer Yungeleit approach everything with Simcha – the way they learn Torah with geshmak!”
Reb Duvid Rokeach shlita, grandson of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, arrived Wednesday in Lakewood as an honorable guest for a fundraising dinner benefiting the Belz Lakewood community. It is about a decade since establishing a Belz community in Lakewood, where B’chasdei Hashem has grown exponentially. The event will recognize its growth, accomplishments, and vision for the future, with hopes of successfully raising the necessary funds to accommodate the surge of Belz Chassidim, making Lakewood their home.
Reb Duvid will be visiting all the Lakewood Belz Mosdos (establishments) and his presence will grace the community’s Shabbos by leading the Shabbos tefillos, Friday Night after-meal gathering, and Shalosh Seudas.
BELZ INSTITUTIONS IN ISRAEL
Belz respects today’s needs while upholding its rich traditions. As its spiritual leader, the Belzer Rebbe shlita deeply cherishes his followers, networks, and Jewish communities worldwide.