A House Full of Jewish Books in Hanover, Germany, in Memory of Beloved Rabbi

by Menachem Posner – chabad.org

Marking three years since the passing of their beloved and unforgettable spiritual leader, Rabbi Binyamin Wolff, the Jewish community of Hanover, Germany, has launched a drive to create a library of Jewish books in every Jewish home in Hanover.

To start the process, a beautiful edition of the Tanya, the foundational work of Chabad philosophy, has been presented to every Jewish household in the city. In addition, a Jewish book fair, the first in the city’s history, was held in the Chabad House plaza, and many residents took the opportunity to buy additional Jewish books for their homes.

The “Binyamin Library” project is connected to the mitzvah campaign introduced in 1974 by the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—to equip all Jewish homes with miniature libraries of sacred Jewish books. Known as Bayit Malei Sefarim, “Home Filled with Jewish Books,” it is a call for all Jews, young and old, to surround themselves with holy books and thereby make these texts a part of their lives, emphasizing the importance of Jewish literature for the education and preservation of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Binyamin and Sterni Wolff served as co-directors of Chabad of Hanover between 2005 and the rabbi’s passing in 2021. They worked tirelessly to revive Judaism in the city, operating a vibrant community center as well as a kindergarten; hosting events throughout the year; providing kosher food to locals and travelers; and encouraging and teaching people to live more Jewishly.

When the rabbi passed away, leaving eight orphans and a community reeling, Shterni Wolff made the decision to continue serving her community.

“The Rebbe sent us to Hanover, and our mission is in full swing,” she remarked. “We will stay here until it’s fulfilled,” she said.

Drive Marks Third Anniversary of Rabbi’s Passing

Over the past three years, Shterni Wolff noticed that the anniversary of her husband’s passing became a time of Jewish awakening in the city. Each year, many Jews visit his gravesite at the local cemetery, including some who are not regular attendees at the Chabad House. And many come to the Chabad House on that day to put on tefillin and pray.

On the first anniversary of her husband’s passing, Shterni Wolff presided over the inauguration of Beit Binyamin, a large and impressive facility in downtown Hanover named after her late husband. Since then, the building has become the center of Jewish life in the city and is bustling with activity and events.

This year, hundreds of Hannover’s Jews gathered at Beit Binyamin on the second day of Iyar—the third anniversary of their beloved rabbi’s passing —together with visiting rabbis and representatives of the city, and the premier of Lower-Saxony, Stephan Weil, who spoke of his personal connection to the rabbi.

Addressing the crowd, Shterni Wolff spoke about how she and her family have risen to the challenge of continuing her husband’s legacy of untiring work for the Jews of Hanover.

Rabbi Avraham Wolff of Odessa, Ukraine, remembered his cousin’s love and devotion to every Jew in Hanover, and emphasized the privilege and opportunity of every participant in the event to share this love with another Jew.

Rabbi Levi Gottlieb, who is married to the Wolffs’ daughter Mussi and serves as rabbi of the Chabad Jewish Center of Hanover, then launched the library project. In keeping with the theme, the keynote address was by Rabbi Levi Sternglanz of Vienna, who has translated the Tanya into German. He explained the uniqueness of this philosophical work as well as the necessity for every Jew not just to have a copy of the Tanya in their home, but to join their fellow Jews around the world in its daily study.