Hundreds Gather in Tannersville for Annual Yarchei Kallah Honoring the Rebbe’s Father
Hundreds of Jewish vacationers representing a wide range of communities gathered Motzaei Shabbos at Beis Menachem – Chabad Lubavitch in Tannersville, New York, for the community’s annual Yarchei Kallah and Melaveh Malkah in honor of the 82nd Yahrtzeit of Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, zt”l, the Rebbe’s father.
Held each year on the eve of Chof Menachem Av, the event has become a highlight of the summer season in the Catskills, drawing Anash, Chassidim from various courts, members of the Yeshivish community, kollel yungeleit, and yeshivah students for an evening of Torah, Chassidus, and farbrengen.
Nestled in New York’s scenic Hunter Mountains, the longtime summer destination of Tannersville welcomes thousands of Jewish vacationers each year from across the Jewish spectrum. What began as a peaceful getaway quickly became a thriving Torah community, with bustling shuls, batei midrash, kollelim, summer yeshivos, kosher shopping, day camp, and accommodations tailored to the needs of frum families.
At the heart of this vibrant summer life is “Beis Menachem – Chabad Lubavitch”, led by Mara D’Asra Rabbi Mordechai Stern. The historic “Anshei HaSharon” Congregation (“The White Shul”)”, under the leadership of Rabbi Yehoshua Bornstein, and the Boston Shul, established by the Bostoner Rebbe, zt”l, and today led by his son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Meir Stockhammer. Together, these institutions serve the thousands of families who transform Tannersville into one of the Catskills’ most vibrant summer Torah communities.
The program opened with Rabbi Mordechai Stern, Mara D’Asra of Beis Menachem, who shared insights from the Rebbe’s teachings on his father’s life and legacy. Reflecting on Harav Levi Yitzchok’s extraordinary mesiras nefesh during his years of Soviet exile, Rabbi Stern encouraged participants to draw inspiration from his unwavering dedication to Torah, mitzvos, and the Rebbe’s mission of spreading Yiddishkeit.
Rabbi Yehoshua Bornstein of Anshei Hasharon spoke about the importance of strengthening Torah study and mitzvah observance with emunah and bitachon, emphasizing that these efforts hasten the coming of Moshiach.
Rabbi Chaim Meir Stockhammer, son-in-law of the Bostoner Rebbe, zt”l, continued his longstanding tradition of participating in the annual gathering. In his address, he praised the Rebbe’s shluchim around the world for their tireless work bringing Jews closer to Torah and mitzvos through the Rebbe’s Mivtzoim.
The gathering was also honored by the participation of philanthropist Reb Sholom Ber Drizin, one of the longtime residents and founders of Tannersville’s Chabad community. Speaking on the Torah portion, he shared a message about Hashem’s boundless blessings and offered heartfelt brachos to those in attendance.
The evening concluded with the singing of the Hakafos Niggun associated with the baal hahilula, followed by Birchas Hamazon. Participants left inspired by the atmosphere of achdus and the meaningful tribute to the Rebbe’s father.
The event was organized by the leadership of Beis Menachem, with the dedicated efforts of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Rabkin and Rabbi Dovid Shputz, who coordinated the annual program.
