By Yehuda Ceitlin, Editor of COLlive.com
Sioux Falls, SD — The Rubashkin family is widely credited with boosting Iowa’s economy with their former Agriprocessors meat plant, supplying jobs in various industries in Postville.
Now Sioux Falls, the rapidly growing South Dakota city, is getting a tiny taste of it – under less noble circumstances.
As Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin‘s 4-week trial continues, dozens of his family, friends and members of the Chassidic community have been buzzing around town.
The Sheraton, Super 8, Holiday Inn and Country Inn & Suites (where a “Rubashkin group” rate goes for $70 a night) are regularly seen hosting rabbis, activists and private individuals such as Lubavitch bochurim.
“We will miss them (when the trial ends),” said Lynelle Dick, front desk clerk at Country Inn. “It gets quiet in the winter and they liven the place.”
A member of the Christian Anabaptist’s Mennonites denomination, she told COLlive she admired that the Chassidim here “always eat together and are very lively and happy.”
While the Rubashkins are still raising funds for their own well being and legal fees, they enthusiastically welcome anyone who made their way to show support.
Over 200 supporters have arrived to date, Rubashkin told COLlive with a proud grin as a train tooted its horn in the background.
Only hours earlier, on Monday night, a group of 10 Lubavitch businessmen departed for Chicago, and as we spoke, a 15-passenger van pulled up with bochurim from the Postville Yeshiva.
I arrived with my father-in-law Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, spiritual leader of Congregation Young Israel and Director of Chabad of Tucson, AZ.
Rubashkin told us “it feels like everybody took this on as if it was their case.”
Along with supporting her husband, Leah Rubashkin, has the job of coordinating the hospitality and flow of Kosher food, a rarity in the state.
But she admits that most of the visiting supporters manage on their own.
“Some call us before to ask what to bring with them,” Leah Rubashkin told COLlive. “They bring bread, milk and other necessities. We also travel to Postville for Shabbos.”
“This has been so encouraging. We are getting through this with Hashem’s help and with the public’s support.
She said she feels like “the whole Jewish nation are invested spiritually and financially in this.”
Didan natzach!!!!!! We are victorious!!!!
Rubaskin Family
Hashem should help
good job
well done
i hope all goes well tract gut ven zain gut!!!
think good and it will be good so hopefully things will all turn out for the best its all in hashem’s hands!!
where r u?
we are looking at you, p.s the menashes
may he come out of this with a great kiddush Hashem and joy for everyone all over the spectrum of Yiddishkeit!
way to go Yudi and father-in-law Rabbi Yossie Shemtov!!!
Its so nice that all the Bochurim/ Boys and everyone in between , are going down there.
This teaches them that of course learning Torah is important but actuall action of helping-supporting a Yid comes first! Kol Ha Kavod !!!!
go hillel sperlin!!! ur awesome!!!
what do you have to mix in politics where not needed!
get out of your bubble and realize the miracle taking place!
and the montrealors are in postville not by default but because of postville!
Hashem should help above and beyond your best hopes.
the hotels wont miss them they will miss their $$$
g-d bless rabashkin family
sholom should come out of jail!!
Amain
G-D bless ’em all……………..
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Tracht gut vet zein gut!!!!
Everyone daven, you, your children, your spouse, your friends-
for Sholom Mordehai haLevi ben Rivka
zol zein a Didan Notzach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Simcha Poretz Geder!
Joy breaks all barriers!
Great to see the boys hakoras hatov.
Sad to see so many Montreal boys had to leave Montreal due to the closure of the Mesivta – and go study out of town.
it almost looks like a farbrengen! What a special family that even with such hardships every picture I’ve seen shows them smiling. Leah is worried about what? the welfare of her guests!!! Ashreinu ma tov chelkeinu!!!!!!! Leah, Sholom, Mr & Mrs rubashkin – I wish I could be there but it seems you do more to inspire me then anything I could give to you! May we physically see VERY SOON how Simcha Poretz Geder – & Yad hachassidim hoelyona!