Getting Ready for the Rebbe

ROYAL WELCOME For the past decade and a half the Rebbe has been the backbone of support for the construction of a grand new edifice pushing the local askanim through reams of red tape bureaucracy and unforeseen expenses even putting cement on the cornerstone that was brought to him in Yerushalayim. How could he not be there for the dedication? (Photos: Menedel Photography)

F or months now thousands of Belzer chassidim worldwide have been buzzing about Shabbos Parshas Emor while planning travel from around the globe to escort the Rebbe to London at the end of this week. The visit the Belzer Rebbe’s first to the British capital since 1993 will come on the heels of the Rebbe’s excursion to the Eastern European town of Belz and to the kevarim of the previous rebbes in preparation for his granddaughter’s wedding right after Shavuos. The nesiah will also coincide with a chanukas habayis of the new Belz center in Stamford Hill on Lag B’omer.

While the logistics of housing thousands of guests in a neighborhood of large families and little extra space is daunting Belzer askan Reb Aharon Klein — a man blessed with clarity of vision and nerves of steel who shoulders the weight of the London kehillah — says the excitement in the community has made up for any lack of logistics experience as nearly everyone has come out to offer help in some area of expertise.

“We didn’t have to involve a single external organizer ” emphasizes Reb Aharon. “Our men have given their maximum to make the nesiah a success. The kehillah feels that we are the hosts and we want the guest to return with happy memories.”