דער 1-ער רבנים צוזאמענפאר פון קאראסטיענער דזשיטאמערער אונד שעפעטאווקער קרייזען - אין קאראסטיען
18-20'טען מרחשון תרפ"ז
Pictured here is the Asifas HaRabbonim in Korestin, Ukraine in Marchesvan 5687/1926. The troubles in the USSR had already started, but Rabbonim could still meet without being harassed by the authorities. It's mentioned in the Frierdige Rebbe's (The Baal HaHilluloh of Yud Shvat) letters as an Asifah he felt would be harmless - as opposed to the proposed Moscow Asifah a year earlier - one that was called by irreligious elements who wanted to gain control over the Jewish communities, where the Frierdige Rebbe fought for and succeeded in canceling it. The Frierdige Rebbe felt that no good would come from Korestin either, although it was attended by many Choshu've Rabbonim VeAdmorim, including Chabad Rabbonim like Rav Zevin and Rav Gershon Chein, but at least it would do no harm. At the Asifah they surprised the Rebbe by voting to make him Nosi HaKoved, and sent a telegram informing him of the fact. The Rebbe responded with a telegram of his own thanking them for the honor, and reminding them of their responsibilities in keeping Yiddishkeit alive in the USSR.
We thank the anonymous "donor" again. This too must be clicked on to fully enjoy.
Letter Mem is (I believe) Rav Aryeh Leib Kaplan Hy"d of Kiev, father of Reb Moshe Binyomin Kaplan o"h, and Zeide of the late Reb Leibel Kaplan, R' Nochum Kaplan, and R' Shmuel Kaplan from Baltimore. He was what they called An Ailimisher Rov, but he sent his son to learn in Chabad undergorund Yeshivos, simply because that's all there was. Rav Zevin is possibly letter Hey, although it's difficult to tell. Letter Chof is a "dead-ringer" for the Hornosteipler Rebbe in Flatbush, son of the Denver Hornosteipler z"l. I was told that there was a Maliner Rebbe at the Asifah, and that he may be pictured here too. Most of the Megulochim - I would imagine - are part of the logistics, not actual Rabbonim, as even Rabbonim MeTa'am without beards didn't dress in simple peasant clothing. All in all the picture is full of Erliche-looking Yidden, many Baalei Tzureh, and is a good reminder of years gone by. Try your hand at identifying the others, and we'll be much obliged.
See Igros Kodesh Admo"R MoHaRaYYT"Z N"E Chelek Alef letters 304-306
8 comments:
If my mind serves me right Mondshine printed some Zevin letters of this Asufas Harobinim, in Kfar Chabad as usual he added lots of valuable info. in the footnotes.
Such heilige Yidden, what an awesome sight to see their tremendous visages!
As I'm still a non-Yiddish speaker (hopefully not for ever!), could you please tell me what an "Ailimisher Rov" was.
Thank you.
Osher
Ailimisher aka Oylimisher = "wordly" belonging to the general, non-chassidic world. Generally a Chabad term referring to non-chassidim yet non-misnagdim.
Thanks a lot for the photo!
Do you (or the one who provided the photo) have a name list corresp. to numbers?
I would guess megulochim are either NKVD or evsektzia agents, who usually always attended such meetings. Compare for example to http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6186/shepetovkaxn7.jpg
בעהאלטענער
I don't have a list as of now.
The vast majority of these rabbonim are from Vohlyn. So there are probably only a few Chabad people in the picture.
If my memory serves me correctly one of the issues of Yalkut Vohlyn has a list of the participants (it also published this picture which I personally sent to Rabbi Berel levine of the Rebbe's sifriyah at 770). Also a publication from the Hebrew U Jewsin the Soviet Union had a serious article about this conference and agian I think there was a list of perticipants.
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