Tish in Chassidut Slonim

B"H 

During the summer months of June and July, there is not too much going on regarding chassidic Tishes in Israel. Most Rebbes are traveling abroad in order to connect their annual vacation with collecting donations for their Mosdot. This is why my friend and I only found one Tish last Erev Shabbat. 

We were walking around in Mea Shearim and so were many people looking for Tishes. The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak was dark, quite a few people were standing and waiting in front of the Toldot Aharon Beit Midrash but there seemed to be no Tish going on. Eventually we ended up at the Slonim who have closed of their former entrance to the women’s entrance. Women now have to walk up the road in order to get to the door leading to the Ezrat Nashim (women’s side). 

The men’s side was packed and the Rebbe of Chassidut Slonim (Jerusalem) had changed his location and was sitting among his Chassidim. Usually the Rebbe doesn’t eat but the Chassidim sing Niggunim and the Rebbe gives a Drasha. Further, the Slonimer have a custom to line up in front of the Rebbe and bow down to him. I have only seen younger Slonimer doing this but may be wrong. 

When we walked in, the Rebbe was in the middle of his Drasha and, as usual, the women are almost unable to hear a word. The Slonimer women mostly don’t participate in the Tish but, last Erev Shabbat, plenty of the Chassidut’s girls were there. We hardly saw the Rebbe because the Ezrat Nashim was crowded. Finally we got a glimpse and left after a while. 

There wasn’t much going on but, at least, we were happy having seen one of the Rebbes.