She never involved herself in how much other people kept or followed — she loved and accepted them all the same, with no judgment
Styling and Photography by Hudi Greenberger
When we envision rich chassidish dynasties, what comes to mind are concentrated areas where Yidden are clustered — Eretz Yisrael, Europe of yesteryear, Boro Park — certainly not Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known for its dairy products and breweries. But I was personally privy to the knowledge that Milwaukee hosted a gem from a young age, as my father and his siblings grew up near the Twerskis’ community in the ’50s and ’60s. It was a joy to hear more about this incredible family and to watch a video interview with Rebbetzin Devorah Leah (Halberstam) Twerski recorded many years ago for the Milwaukee Jewish Museum.
Devorah Leah Halberstam was the oldest daughter of the Kedushas Tzion of Bobov, Rabbi Bentzion, Hy”d, and Rebbetzin Chaya Fradel Halberstam, as well as the sister of Rebbe Shlomo of Bobov. After she married Yaakov Yisrael Twerski, they spent their early married years in Kraków, where their eldest two sons were born. Devorah Leah and Yaakov Yisrael were both descendants of Sanz and Hornosteipel. Interestingly, the ancestors they were named after were also a married couple.
After World War I, the Twerskis traveled to Antwerp,Belgium, and in 1927, Rav Yaakov Yisroel left to America. He started off in New York, but, seeing it as materialistic and destructive, he wanted to settle in a quieter city. Since his cousin had a shul in Chicago and he didn’t want to create competition, he relocated to Milwaukee.
The Rav became the spiritual leader of Anshei S’fard, which began as a shtibel in his home and later moved to a beautiful shul with two levels and a balcony for the women. It took a year for the Rav to obtain affidavits for his wife and two young sons to join him in America, the three of them finally arrived in Milwaukee after Shavuos of 1928. Their first American-born son was Shea, or Avraham
Yehoshua, who later became the well-known frum psychiatrist and author.
Create a free account to keep reading.
