Convention For Belzer Chassidim

Over 12,000 Belzer Chassidim from around the world gathered at the Arena Stadium in Jerusalem to mark fifty years since the Belzer Rav shlita accepted the Rabbinic mantle. The Belzer Rav shlita’s mission was to strengthen the chassidim’s connection saying: “Each person is a thread in the fabric of Belz; the more threads intertwined, the stronger its makeup and the harder to pull apart!” The Rav also strengthened his chassidim’s resolve to combat the struggles of this generation with the Torah and unity.

THE EIGHTH GENERATION IS BORN

Who would have believed that the Chassidus of Belz, which was almost annihilated during the war, and following many childless years of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, that Belz would revive once more? The birth of a daughter to Reb Sholom Rokeach shlita, the eighth generation of Belz, is added to the dynasty. In many subsequent births of great-grandchildren – the proud great-grandparents and grandparents take pride in their children and celebrate their birthdays together.

A Monumental Wedding

Some 25,000 chassidim worldwide converged in Kiryat Belz to attend the wedding of Reb Sholom Rokeach shlita, the eldest grandchild of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, with Chana Basya Paneth, a graduate of Belz school. The wedding’s highlight was the Chuppah and Mitzvah Tantz, in which the Belzer Rebbe shlita officiated and danced to thunderous songs from exuberant chassidim in attendance. A few more siblings followed this wedding.

Merkaz Mosdos Belz – Belz Institutions In Israel

From when Reb Aharon of Belz zt’’l opened the first Belz Yeshiva in 1949, the Belz student body multiplied enormously. Then another four Yeshivas opened, and by now, there are hundreds of Belz educational intuitions. Merkaz Mosdos Belz was established as a one-umbrella fundraising organization to fundraise for all Belzer educational, outreach, and community service organizations in Israel. Its central headquarters is in the United States, with more branches worldwide.

Chanikas Habayis – Beis Medrash Hagodol

The monumental edifice took 15 years to complete – its ornate beauty, interior decor, and magnanimous dimensions entailed laborious work, exuberant costs, and meticulous effort. Thousand of Chassidim from around the world came to celebrate this special event. With pomp, music, and heartful prayers, Belzer chassidim, dignitaries, and Yerushalmi Jews escorted the Belzer Rav shlita into the new Shul. The Great Belz shul is a landmark destination for Jews visiting Eretz Yisroel.

A New Generation Is Born

Since Reb Aharon Mordechai Rokeach’s shlita wedding day, Belz has never stopped celebrating happy occasions. A year later, the Chassidus celebrated the birth of the Belzer Rebbe’s shlita first grandson. The ‘’chut hameshulash” – the “three-ply-cord” would not be severed. Brissim, kiddushim of the Rebbe’s grandsons and granddaughters, became commonplace, then bar mitzvah celebrations, and the legacy carries on.

The Royal Belz Wedding

Reb Aharon Mordechai Rokeach shlita married Sara Leah Lemberger (the ‘Yinger Rebbetzin’), daughter of the devout Makover Rebbe shlita of Kiryat Ata. The wedding was a historical and large event that chareidi Jewry had never seen. The wedding was a testament to the miraculous recovery from near-total annihilation in the Holocaust. Many esteemed Rabbanim and dignitaries attended, including the groom’s grandfather – The Viznitzer Rebbe zt’’l, and Rav Shach zt’’l.

Bar Mitzvah Of The Century

Each milestone of Reb Aharon Mordechai Rokeach shlita was celebrated by thousands of Belzer Chassidim worldwide. The Bar Mitzvah occasion was an emotional Simcha for the Belzer Rav shlita and his followers – since Reb Aharon Mordechai was an only child – each event highlighted the rich beauty of the Belzer lineage. The Bar Mitzvah was held in the half-finished Great Belz Shul, where many Chassidic leaders, Israeli dignitaries, and high-ranking guests were present.

Worldwide Gathering For Belz Chassidim

Since thousands of Chassidim worldwide came to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Reb Aharon Mordechai Rokeach shlita, the son of the Belzer Rebbe shlita, the Rav seized the opportunity to form a ‘Hisvadas Oilamas – worldwide gathering’ for all Belzer Chassidim at Jerusalem’s Binyenei HaUma with over 5,000 chassidim and Rabbonim present. The event marked fifty years since the initial establishment of a ‘Belzer Shtibel’ in Israel. The gathering fortified the Chassidim’s connection, pride, and honor to belong.

Historic Visit To Belz תשמט

The Belzer Rebbe shlita, together with an entourage of ten people, traveled for the first time to the town of Belz, still under the Russian communist regime, to pray at the holy gravesites of Belz’s ancestors on behalf of Belzer Chassidim and world Jewry. After communism fell, Chassidim started visiting the tzion’s (gravesites) of Reb Shalom zt’’l, Reb Yehoshua zt’’l, Reb Yissocher Dov Rokeach tz’’l, and Rebbetzin Malka zt’’l, the first Belzer Rebbetzin.