The Flatbush community will be hosting the son of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe and rov of Vizhnitzer Chassidim, Rav Yisroel Hager, this Shabbos. Rav Hager has arrived in Flatbush as the head of a delegation of Vizhnitzer Chassidim, and is staying for a week to conduct the annual appeal for the United Vizhnitz Institutions in Eretz Yisroel.
United Vizhnitz Institutions is the umbrella organization comprising dozens of Torah, education and chessed mosdos of Vizhnitz scattered around Eretz Yisroel, which have always received special attention from the Vizhnitzer Rebbe. The institutions are raising tens of thousands of girls and boys al pi derech haTorah. In the last week alone, some 500 children were tested on Mishnayos Baal Peh under the auspices of the Yad Charutzim organization in the Vizhnitzer Talmud Torah. Every year, dozens of students compete for the title of “Keter Hamishnah,” making it to the final round after having been tested on thousands of Mishnayos by heart over the year.
Vizhnitz is a conglomeration of Torah and widespread chessed activities, including organizations which help thousands of large families with day-to-day support, especially before Yom Tov, when expenses are greater than usual. The Chassidus also has organizations that help parents marry off their children. The Refuah Vechaim organization, founded by the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, is also part of the chessed network. This past Yom Kippur, Refuah Vechaim sent dozens of volunteer avreichim to hospitals to distribute food to families of patients.
The current economic difficulties threaten the Torah and chessed empire, and therefore, as soon as the Yomim Tovim of Tishrei were over, and despite all that is involved with the beginning of the new winter zeman in the yeshivos and kollelim, Rav Hager has flown to the United States to try and solicit funds from generous supporters of Torah and chessed. Before his trip, the rov went to his father, the Rebbe, and received a bracha for success – a bracha that accompanies the rov throughout his trip.
Rav Hager arrived in the United States last week and spent Shabbos with his uncle, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey. As soon as he arrived, many friends and generous donors expressed a desire to contribute towards the upkeep of the mosdos. The institutions are currently marking 70 years of chinuch, under the guidance of the Rebbe. Today, they are under the personal supervision of Rav Yisroel, and during the course of the week, he conducted appeals and parlor meetings in several locations around New York to benefit the institutions.
On Wednesday night, the rov arrived in Flatbush, where he is being hosted by Reb Shlomo Pesach Kassai, a prominent supporter. This Shabbos, Kabbolas Shabbos and tishen will be held at Shulamis High School, and Shacharis on Shabbos morning will be at Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyamin. Tonight, Rav Hager will be a guest of Reb Shaul Aryeh (Stevie) Kohn, a close friend and supporter of Vizhnitz.
Many Flatbush residents will attend the tefillos and Shabbos events.
A committee has been formed to arrange lodging and meals for the many Chassidim who are planning to spend Shabbos in Flatbush.
On Motzoei Shabbos, a dinner to benefit the Vizhnitzer institutions will be held, headed by Rav Hager and attended by rabbonim community figures and generous donors. The dinner will take place at the Tiferes Mordechai Hall in Boro Park and the guest speaker will be Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff.
On Sunday, a breakfast will take place at the home of Reb Leibel Kreitenberg. Parlor meetings will be held at individual homes in Flatbush throughout the week. Rav Hager is slated to return to Bnei Brak for Shabbos Parshas Vayeirah.
{Dovid Bernstein-Matzav.com Newscenter}
