Thousands Celebrate Historic Bar Mitzvah of Rebbe’s Grandson in Jerusalem

The Hasidic community of Rachmastrivka marked a joyous occasion with the bar mitzvah of the eldest grandson of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, Israel Mordechai Twersky. Named after the previous Rachmastrivka Rebbe, who passed away, the boy is the son of the Rebbe’s eldest son-in-law, Rabbi Shmuel Aba Twersky. Notably, the current Rebbe has no sons, only two daughters.

The celebration took place in a large tent at the Slonim Hasidic synagogue on Doresh Tov Street in Jerusalem. The event was relocated from the main Karlin-Stolin synagogue in Givat Zeev due to threats from extremists against community leaders. Thousands of Hasidim attended, including the Karlin Rebbe, who came to join the festivities.

An interesting moment occurred when the Rebbe initially sat in a different chair than the other Rebbes, but then moved to sit with them. The highlight of the event was the Rebbe dancing with his eldest grandson, during which the Hasidim lifted themselves slightly off the ground in celebration.

At the conclusion, young men presented the Rebbe with dozens of binders containing good deeds and commitments made by the Hasidim, including vows not to speak during prayer in the synagogue. The Rebbe expressed his emotion, blessed everyone, and placed the binders before him. The event was documented by photographer Shuki Lerer.