B"H
Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak in Mea Shearim has been fixing its Beit Midrash in the Mea Shearim market (Ein Yaakov Street) for ages. Cables are hanging down the ceiling, the Ezrat Nashim (women's side) is a total mess and far too small. The men's side downstairs is packed, as Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn has been accepting many newcomers into the Chatzer. Secondly, the Rebbe's Tish is, together with his brother's Tish (Toldot Aharon) the most popular Tish in Mea Shearim. However, the present Mosdot are far too small and crowded. Furthermore, the Rebbe pays 5000 Dollar rent every month.
Does this mean they will also build new homes for their followers in the new area?
ReplyDeleteWeren't they on the verge of bankruptcy just two or three years ago?
ReplyDeleteB"H
ReplyDeleteLots of their members have already moved to the Ge'ulah area. Not too far from the Mosdot in the market away but there is simply no space anymore. Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak grew tremendously. Baalei Teshuva were accepted as members, and, on the other hand, young couples get married and have kids.
Jerusalem and Mea Shearim are getting more and more expensive and this is why many Chassidim have moved out to Beit Shemesh. Now even Beit Shemesh is getting too expensive and Chassidim have been keeping an eye on other places. It is said that the Toldot Aharon planning a new neighbourhood up in Tiberias. Karlin - Stolin moved partly to Tiberias. Vishnitz is moving into Afulah, as places like Ashdod are also getting more expensive for Haredim.
The problem is that, as soon as Haredim are moving in, landlords see the demand and raise the rent. For everyone and not only for Haredim.
Bankcruptcy ? It seemed like it. One just had to look at the construction work at their Mosdot. Nothing moved and the Tishes were run at a construction site. We were standing in the middle of cables and don't even ask about the washrooms.
Maybe Satmar has given some money.:-) Or the TAY has found some rich donors but it doesn't mean too much.
Look at the new Toldot Aharon Center. Construction work is still going on and you can see that still plenty of money is needed.
The fact the Ir HaKodesh and traditionnal charedi cities are becoming more and more expansive, means that we are more and more moving in secular neighbourhood which, after 2, 3 or 5 years, turn into another charedi neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteTo put it quite simply: chassidim are beginning the conquest of all Eretz Yisroel...
B"H
ReplyDeleteThis has been taking place for many years but moving into secular areas is also expensive. The same as in haredi areas.
Young haredi couples are mostly not able to afford either one and this is why they move to Ashdod, Beitar, Arad and other places.