Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken
The Igud Tze'atzei Rabbeinu HaZaken (Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe), also known simply as the Igud HaTze'atzeim (Descendants' Association), is an organization that unites the thousands of descendants of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidus.
The Association is one of the Kuf Alef Mosdos — 101 institutions established at the Rebbe's request in the year 5732 (1971–1972). Its founder and director until his passing was Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Halperin. Today the organization is led by his sons, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Halperin and Rabbi Moshe Zvi Halperin.
Gatherings and Activities edit
The Descendants' Association organizes annual gatherings for descendants of the Alter Rebbe.
The first gathering took place in the 'Beit HaAm' hall in Jerusalem on Chanukah of 5733 (1972–1973). It served as the cornerstone of the Association's ongoing activities. In anticipation of the gathering, a letter was received from the Rebbe containing detailed instructions regarding the event, accompanied by the Rebbe's personal contribution of one thousand Israeli liras toward the costs. On the eve of the gathering, the Rebbe sent a telegram of blessing to the participants. At the gathering itself, it was resolved to hold an annual assembly of descendants.
In Menachem Av (July–August) 5733, a special youth gathering was held in the Beit Shazar hall in Kfar Chabad, drawing hundreds of young people from across the country. Following the gathering, the Association received a letter from Mr. Aharon Yo'eli Schneersohn — who was then serving as deputy editor of the newspaper *Ha'aretz* — writing: "It was for us an impressive and moving encounter with more of the Rebbe of Liadi's descendants. A first meeting, and I hope it will not be the last."
During Tishrei 5734 (1973), the Rebbe took the initiative himself and asked Rabbi Halperin to organize a descendants' gathering in the United States, adding that he wished it to take place still within the month of Tishrei. The gathering was duly held on Hoshana Rabbah in the 'Young Yizrael' hall in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Each year the Association publishes a calendar sent to thousands of descendants, featuring teachings and aphorisms from the Alter Rebbe. Upon the two-hundredth anniversary of the printing of the Alter Rebbe's *Hilchos Talmud Torah* (Laws of Torah Study), descendants received a booklet containing a selection of halachic rulings and Chassidic teachings on the mitzvah of Torah study. Before festivals and significant dates on the Chabad calendar, descendants receive a publication called *Shai LaTze'atzeim* ("A Gift to the Descendants"), containing teachings from the Alter Rebbe and subsequent Chabad Rebbes. Each year before Passover, the Association sends descendants matzah and wine, together with a fine portrait of the Alter Rebbe.
Among the Association's activities is the annual pilgrimage to the grave of the saintly Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim — daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe and granddaughter of the Alter Rebbe — who is interred in Hebron, as well as efforts to ensure proper care and protection of her resting place.
When shluchim (Chabad emissaries) wrote to the Rebbe reporting that descendants of the Alter Rebbe lived in their cities, the Rebbe instructed them to connect those individuals with Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Halperin.
Among the descendants are counted Chabad rabbis and mashpi'im (Chassidic mentors), as well as Admorim (Chassidic masters) of Satmar, Bobov, Kotzk, and Alexander — alongside well-known Israeli public figures, including Supreme Court Justice Mishael Cheshin, MK Avraham Burg, MK Shaul Yahalom, Uri Slonim, prominent figures from Israel's economic and political leadership, and media personalities.
According to the Rebbe, the category of "descendants of the Alter Rebbe" extends to include the spouses of descendants as well. This was expressed during a private yechidus (private audience with the Rebbe) in response to Dr. Yosef Burg, who pointed to a family photograph and indicated the number of Alter Rebbe's descendants appearing in it; the Rebbe added that Dr. Burg himself should also be counted among the descendants. *(Kfar Chabad, issue 1893, p. 23)*
Sefer HaTze'atzeim edit
In 5740 (1979–1980), Rabbi Halperin published *Sefer HaTze'atzeim* — a genealogical record tracing the lineage of the Alter Rebbe and the families descended from him, encompassing the entire Beis HaRav family. The work brought the Rebbe particular joy. The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka remarked upon receiving her copy that, knowing her husband as she did, she was certain he would read the book from cover to cover.
External Links edit
- Official website of the Descendants' Association
- Overview of the Descendants' Association
- Descendants of the Alter Rebbe: The Privilege and the Responsibility — Rabbi Mordechai Menashe Laufer, *HaKesher* journal, issue 140
- "The Rebbetzin Called: The Time Has Come to Attend the Descendants' Gathering!"
- New: A Dedicated Website for Descendants of the Alter Rebbe and Chabad Chassidim