Editing Philadelphia (section)

== Chabad Chassidism ==
'''Settlement of Chabad Chassidim in the Area'''
[[File:פילדלפיה תרצ.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe Rayatz in Philadelphia]]
Before Crown Heights was established as a center for Chabad Chassidim, some Chabad Chassidim who arrived in the United States lived for a period in Philadelphia, where a large and established Jewish community existed. Among them were Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Dribin, Rabbi Meir Itkin, Rabbi Zeev Kazinitz, and others. The rabbi of the local Chabad community was Rabbi Shalom Tzvi Schneiderman, who served in this position until his death in a car accident in the year 5715 (1955).

In the year 5681 (1921), Rabbi Ephraim Eliezer Yalles settled in the city, waiting to serve as the Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox community in the city. He later became one of the most important rabbis in the United States and served as the president of the Rabbinical Association of the United States and Canada. Rabbi Yalles admired the Rebbe and saw him as his teacher and rabbi, and would regularly visit 770 during every holiday and festival to meet with the Rebbe.

'''Visit of the Rebbe Rayatz'''

Expanded article – '''Journey of the Rebbe Rayatz to the United States (5690/1930)'''

The Rebbe Rayatz in Philadelphia

During his first journey to the United States, the Rebbe Rayatz visited a series of central cities where Jewish communities existed and awakened the Jewish spark within them.

During his journey, he made an extended visit of an entire month between the dates of 13 Kislev and 12 Tevet in Philadelphia, where he was accorded royal honors in the city.

Upon his arrival in the city, a reception ceremony was held in his honor with thousands of people in attendance, which took place in Independence Hall of the United States. They honored him by having him sit in the chair upon which the first president of the United States, Mr. George Washington, had sat. Afterward, they led him in a car procession to the Liberty Bell displayed in front of the building, where he placed a wreath of flowers while declaring: "Freedom based on religion is the strongest freedom."

In a conversation with his close associates, he remarked that he wished all the enthusiasm to honor him would be like a fire that burns wood, leaving coals behind, and not like a fire that consumes gasoline after which no impression remains.

'''The Rebbe's Emissaries'''

As early as 5708 (1948), emissaries of our Rebbes began to arrive in the city as part of the Central Shlichut Center, and during the vacation months, students from the central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in the Rebbe's court came to the outlying cities, including visits to '''Philadelphia''' to strengthen Judaism[2].

In the early 5710s (1950s), the Rebbe sent Rabbi Aaron Popak to establish the "Beit Yaakov" school in Philadelphia, and during his years of activity, he established a Family Purity Committee in the city and built a mikvah according to Chabad methods.

Later, Rabbi Popak brought Rabbi Aaron Zakan to teach in the educational institutions under his management.

In the winter of 5722 (1962), the Rebbe appointed Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Shem Tov to work on spreading Judaism in Philadelphia.

In 5724 (1964), the Rebbe sent Rabbi Alter Schneor Zalman Lipsker to assist Rabbi Shem Tov, and over the years as activities expanded, he focused on the Hebrew-speaking community residing in the city.