Historic and Emotional Chanukas Habayis for Talmud Torah Imrei Emes of Gur

By Y. S. Gold

The history of the moment was palpable for the thousands of Gerer chassidim in attendance at the official and formal inauguration of the massive and sprawling yeshiva campus for the Gerer cheder in Boro Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Greatly compounding the emotions and the history of this event was the presence of their revered leader, the Gerer Rebbe, shlit”a, who has spent the week gathering massive sums to support the Torah empire of the chassidus in Eretz Yisroel, and looked over this assemblage with great pride and joy. The Rebbe was joined on the dais by numerous Admorim and Rabbanim from the Boro Park community—including the Admorim of Bobov-45, Klausenberg, Chernobyl, Rachmastrivka, Viznitz-Boro Park, Lelov, Amshinov, Spinka, and others—as well as his illustrious sons.

The road to the inauguration of this enormous building was paved with blood, sweat, and tears, and this was extolled by the numerous speakers of the afternoon.

Two of the Rebbe’s sons recalled the demand of Gerer chassidim in America to establish a Gerer cheder in America that would be no different than their counterparts in Eretz Yisroel which function under the Rebbe’s direction and leadership. They noted how the Rebbe poured his heart into establishing this mossad, and now it merits to inaugurate this building which has undergone millions of dollars in upgrades.   

In their remarks, the speakers attributed the success of this mossad to the Rebbe, shlit”a, the Moshe Rabbeinu of the generation who serves as a source of guidance and inspiration.

Reb Meir Frei, a major askan and philanthropist in the chassidus in America, noted that “never in history have donors given so much money and received so little honor than for this project.”

Reb Yanky Klein, who served as the Rebbe’s host throughout this visit, and noted how this building was dedicated in the memory of his unforgettable father, Reb Avrohom Noach Klein, z”l, who built numerous buildings for Ger during his lifetime. “With this dedication, our family, and my mother, continued on the golden path that our father forged for us,” he said.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the afternoon was the birchas hakodesh, the short but powerful berachah of the Rebbe, shlit”a. A pin drop could be heard among the thousands, as the Rebbe wished them: “A berachah to all who have gathered here, b’ruchniyus and b’gashmiyus, nachas from their children, Torah and yiras Shomayim. Hatzluchah.”

The entire event was coordinated by the legendary YF Productions, which contended with numerous logistical challenges unique this event which closed off busy streets for the duration of the event. Staging and chairs were provided by Rentastic Party Rental (www.rentasticparty.com).

As the massive crowd passed by to greet the Rebbe at his only public event while in America, it was with heightened emotion and deep pride to be part of this movement that is revolutionizing Torah in America.