Thousands Gather in Haifa and Bnei Brak for Yahrtzeit of Vizhnitz Rebbe's Father
Last weekend, thousands of Vizhnitz Hasidim convened at the movement's center in Haifa to commemorate the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of the late Vizhnitz Rebbe known as the 'Chochmat Eliezer.' The current Rebbe conducted a special meal on Saturday night in honor of the occasion. On Sunday, he visited the holy gravesite of his father at the Vizhnitz Rebbes' ohel in the Bnei Brak cemetery, where he prayed for communal and personal salvation. A poignant moment occurred when the Rebbe placed a large stack of kvitelach (prayer notes) on the gravesite, which had been collected from followers throughout the year.
In parallel, other Hasidic communities marked significant events: the Satmar Rebbe held a tish (festive gathering) in Bnei Brak commemorating the 19th yahrtzeit of the late Satmar Rebbe, and the Kosov Vizhnitz Rebbe hosted a major gathering in Beit Shemesh for the 11th yahrtzeit of the 'Chochmat Eliezer.' Additionally, the Belz Hasidim inaugurated a new study hall in the 'Sofrim Complex' neighborhood of northern Bnei Brak, with participation from city officials and prominent rabbis.
Elsewhere, the Alexandrian Hasidic community laid the cornerstone for their new global center in Bnei Brak, reviving the historic site of their former beit midrash. The Zvhil Rebbe, currently in Zurich fundraising, held a special tish in honor of his grandfather's yahrtzeit. Meanwhile, the Vizhnitz Rebbe of Beit Shemesh announced a historic week-long visit to the Shomron region, encouraging Hasidic settlement there.
Other notable events included a fifth-generation teaching of the aleph-bet in Bnei Brak, a large gathering of Nadvorna Hasidim in Modiin Illit for their annual unity Shabbat, and a massive prayer event at the grave of the late Vizhnitz Rebbe in Givatayim attended by thousands with enhanced security arrangements. These events reflect the vibrant spiritual life and communal solidarity across multiple Hasidic groups in Israel and abroad.