Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States and serves as a port city on the East Coast. The city was honored with a special visit from the Rebbe Rayatz during his first journey to the United States, and maintains extensive Chabad activity with dozens of Shliach couples who operate Jewish programs, educational institutions, chesed organizations, and more. It also had the privilege of being at the forefront of the Shlichus revolution, as it was one of the first locations in the United States that the Rebbe chose to send his 'Shluchim' to.

The city plays a central role in American history, as the Declaration of Independence of the United States was proclaimed on its soil, the American Constitution was ratified there, and for a period it even served as the capital city of the United States, until it was replaced by Washington DC.

History

The city of Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded approximately 300 years ago around the year 5442 (1682), when the name given to it by the settlers was a combination of the words 'philos' (love) and 'adelphos' (brother), with the desire that the settlement would welcome every person with love and a pleasant countenance.

With the beginning of America's settlement, the town became the largest city in the United States and was an important political, cultural, and commercial center, even more so than Boston and New York.

The city is located on the western bank of the Delaware River, and is also crossed by the Schuylkill River, Cobbs Creek, Wissahickon Creek, and Pennypack Creek, with the city's economy based on manufacturing, oil refining, food, and financial services.

Philadelphia has 8 twin cities, among them - the city of Tel Aviv.

As of 5782 (2022), the city's population numbers more than one and a half million residents, and it is ranked as the fifth largest city in the United States, with the metropolitan area of the city counting over 6 million residents, considered one of the central and largest metropolitan areas in the entire United States.

Chabad Chassidism

Settlement of Chabad Chassidim in the Area

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.

Figures and Activists in the Chabad Community in Philadelphia

Rabbi David Nachman Krasniansky - Rabbi and Mashpia (spiritual mentor)
Rabbi Shraga Sherman - Director of Chabad House Main Line
Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein - The Shliach (emissary) in Newtown suburb
Rabbi Levi Weber - One of the Rebbe's Shluchim (emissaries) working with the Israeli community in the city
Rabbi Elazar Green - One of the Rebbe's Shluchim in the city
Rabbi Menachem Schmidt - Chabad House Center City
Rabbi Ephraim Levin - The Rebbe's Shliach at the University of Pennsylvania
Rabbi Mendel Bendt - One of the Rebbe's Shluchim in the city
Attorney Mr. Yosef (Jerry) Shustak
R' Hershel Weitz - Cantor of the local Chabad community

Chabad Institutions in Philadelphia

Achi Tmimim Philadelphia - Founded in 5704 (1944) by Rabbi Yosef Menachem Mendel Tenenbaum and Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Groner.

External Links

When the Rebbe Rayatz Laid a Wreath and Sat on Washington's Chair