A ‘Yarchei Kallah’ Shabbos in Honor of Chof Av

Tannersville, a peaceful resort town in the Catskills, attracts thousands of Jewish visitors each year. Far from the city’s hustle, it offers shuls, kosher groceries, and hotels catering to the religious community.

The long-standing shul ‘Anshei HaSharon’ continues to thrive under Rabbi Yehoshua Bornstein’s renewed leadership. Further up the hill is the Boston community, founded by the late Rebbe of Boston, zt”l (of Flatbush), and now led by his son-in-law. At the heart of the town is Beis Menachem, the community hub, led by Rabbi Mordechai Stern.

As summer began, plans were made for the 80th yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father. In addition to the usual Motzei Shabbos event, it was decided to turn the entire Shabbos into a Yarchei Kallah.

After Minchah on Erev Shabbos, the shul was filled to capacity. Rabbi Shmuel Benchimon, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Shalom of Postville, opened the occasion with a fascinating shiur about the Magen Avraham and the unique halachos included in his work—and of course, connecting it to Chof Av.

On Shabbos morning, a class on the chassidishe parsha was delivered by Rabbi Stern, who also gave a practical Halacha shiur before Musaf, with reflections about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s famed devotion to halachah even in the darkest hours.

After Musaf, a lively farbrengen ensued, with the Rebbe’s stories about his father and his mesiras nefesh life. 

At Shalosh Seudos time, before the Seder Niggunim and Chazoras Da”ch, Rabbi Avraham Blooming, chairman of the Crown Heights Igud Hemalamdim, delivered a shiur on the disputes between Abaye and Rava, explaining them through the lens of Kabbalah and Chassidus as taught by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.

After Havdalah, the main Shul was set up for the annual “Yarchei Kallah.” This event draws everyone—regulars and guests, Chassidim from different backgrounds, Chabad Chassidim, the local Litvish community, kollel yungerleit and yeshiva students vacationing in nearby areas—all coming together in a beautiful display of unity.

The evening began with a Dvar Malchus, a video of the Rebbe provided by JEM. The first speaker was philanthropist Rabbi Sholom Ber Drizin, whose father, the renowned mashpia Reb Avraham Drizin (“Mayorer”), used to visit each summer and inspire the locals with his Chassidic warmth. Rabbi Drizin discussed the difference between Moshe Rabbeinu speaking to the rock and striking it, emphasizing how Hashem desires that a Jew’s physical needs be met miraculously—like the miracle of speaking to the rock.

The next speaker was Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He shared Torah insights and interesting stories about the connection between the Brisker dynasty and Lubavitch, which he had heard from his teacher, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. This relationship, he noted, goes back to the time of the Alter Rebbe. Rabbi Schachter also discussed current events, particularly in Eretz Yisroel, stressing the need for increased prayer for the Geulah.

Finally, Rabbi Yehoshua Bornstein, the Rav of Anshei Hasharon, spoke at length about the importance of shalom. He quoted the Dzikover Rebbe, who observed that the gematria of “pike’ach” is double that of “tzad” (side), and that twice the value of “pike’ach” equals “shalom.” This teaches that when two wise individuals can see both sides of an argument, they can reach a compromise and prevent conflict.

A special guest, who made the effort to attend despite health challenges, was Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, the head shliach to the Northeast region of New York State, from Albany. Rabbi Rubin shared profound insights from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s teachings and distributed a teshurah with extensive marei mekomos.

The next speaker was the Bostoner Rebbe’s son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Meir Stockhammer, who continued his father-in-law’s legacy by honoring the event with his presence. Rabbi Stockhammer spoke about the deep affection his father-in-law had for this event and for Lubavitch, especially given his upbringing in Crown Heights, close to the Rebbe’s home on President Street. He told about his grandfather’s yechidus with the Rebbe, and shared a remarkable story about how his grandfather had lost a dollar of the Rebbe, and, in an extraordinary display of ruach hakodesh, the Rebbe sent him another dollar just when he needed it most.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Mordechai Stern, who also served as the Master of Ceremonies. His address focused on deep insights which the Rebbe shared in a hadran at a Chof Av farbrengen.

Towards the end of the evening, a lively dance broke out to the tune of the Hakafos Niggun of the Rebbe’s father, and everyone departed after midnight feeling inspired and uplifted.

The success of the evening and the entire Yarchei Kallah Shabbos was due to the tireless efforts of Rabbis Sholom Dovber Rabkin and Rabbi Yehoshua Dovid Sputz, as well as Rabbi Avraham Blooming, who greatly assisted in the spiritual preparations.