-Rav Yaakov Yehoshua Falk Katz, the Pnei Yehoshua (1680-1756). Born in Cracow, he studied at Lvov (Lemberg), where he became Rav in 1718, succeeding the Chacham Tzvi.; Rav of Berlin in 1730 and Metz in 1734, succeeding Rav Yaakov Rischer (the Shevus Yaakov); Rav of Frankfurt in 1740. He sided strongly with Rav Yaakov Emden in his controversy with Rav Yonasan Eibeshutz. On the 3rd of Kislev of 1702, he was trapped under fallen rubble following an explosion that killed a total of 36 Jews of Lemberg, inclusing his wife, Leah, and their only daughter, Gittel. He vowed that if he got out alive, he would write a sefer. He was miraculaoulsy saved, and thereafter wrote the Pnei Yehoshua.
-Rav Yechiel Danziger (Danczyger), first Rebbe of Alexander (1894). Born to Rav Shraga Feivel of Gritz-Makova, he became a chasid of Rav Yitzchak Kalish of Vorki, then his son, Rav Mendel of Vorki. Following’s Rav Mendel’s petira, Rav Yechiel became a follower of Rav Dov Ber of Biala. After his own petira, Rav Yechiel was succeeded by his son Rav Yisrael.
-Rav Aryeh Kaplan (1935-1983). Born in New York City, Rav Aryeh had a prolific but tragically brief career, producing over 60 works. After his early education in Torah Vadaas and Mir Yeshivos in Brooklyn, he studied at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He also received a master’s degree in physics and was listed in the Who’s Who in Physics.
-Rav Aharon Aryeh Leib Leifer, Nadvorner (Nadworna) Rebbe author of the Yad Aharon (1817 – 1897). The son of R’ Issachar Dov Bertzi Leifer of Nadvorna, succeeding him as Rebbe.
-Rav Elazar Hendeles, close aid to the Gerrer Rebbes (1913-2004). Born in Lodz, Poland, he made aliya in 1937. He was a confidante of the Lev Simcha and was a loyal messenger of the Beis Yisrael, establishing homes for refugees, working on hachnasas kalla, helping the sick and poor, and establishing Orthodox communities in Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and Arad.
{Chinuch.org/Matzav.com Newscenter}
