Photo and Video Essay: At the Chof Alef Kislev Event of Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar’s Kehillah Marking 80 Years Since the Salvation of the Divrei Yoel zt”l

This year’s annual 21 Kislev celebration of the miraculous Holocaust rescue of Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l (1886-1979), founding Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel, was celebrated last night by Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar’s kehillah in a massive tent on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg.

On this day in history, December 4, 1944, the Satmar Rebbe was aboard a train that crossed the border into Switzerland and to freedom. The deliverance was made possible by Dr. Rudolf Kastner, who bribed the Nazis and thus saved 1,685 Jewish souls.

Throughout the years, the 21 Kislev event was always a unifying occasion as Satmar chassidim from around the world sat together and held hands singing and dancing.

Currently, two separate celebrations are held. Each half of Satmar is led by a son of the Beirach Moshe and represents an independent network of communities, shuls, yeshivas, girls’ schools, meat stores, matzah bakeries, and cemeteries throughout the world.

The followers of Rav Aaron Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe and oldest son of the Beirach Moshe, held their central 21 Kislev event last night, as mentioned, in Williamsburg. The followers of Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe and third son of the Beirach Moshe, marked the event today at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The following is coverage of Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar’s kehillah’s event last night: