By COLlive reporter
The Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem was built in 1847 thanks to donors from abroad.
Legendary British philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore and Indian businessman Elias David Sassoon purchased the property for Chabad families who fled from the Arab controlled Chevron.
Now, a section of the historic shul located at 31 Chabad Street in the Cardo area near the Kotel, is being renovated thanks to a donation from abroad as well.
U.S. entrepreneur David Schottenstein and his wife Eda have given $50,000 to fully restore the women’s section and mikvah in the 2-story building.
Rabbi Shiya Yusewitz, the shul’s gabbai and director of the Toras Emes Chabad educational institutions in Jerusalem, has warmly thanked them for the support.
The Schottenstein insisted that only the best materials be used for the renovation work, which will include marble flooring.
Unlike most synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, the Tzemach Tzedek Chabad Synagogue was not destroyed by the Jordanian forces in 1948.
After the victorious Six Day War, the Lubavitcher Rebbe commissioned a group to buy the synagogue from an Arab family that made the property their home.
The rov of the shul is Rabbi Adin Even Israel (Steinsaltz), the acclaimed commentator of the Talmud and Tanya. Minyanim are held there on weekdays and on Shabbos.
Kollel Tzemach Tzedek, founded in 5732, operates from there as well.
Without the Kollel that is hardly mentioned the tzamech Tzedek would have closed to be museum
I was in his house it was a villa not an apt.
The story in comment #3 is not quite accurate: The way I heard the story from a reliable source who was involved at the time. It was actually a Jewish family that decided to occupy the space in the second floor of the shul, although they had no claim to it. The old city was almost no-man’s land and so an eviction was not an option. Although there was no clear instruction, Reb Avrohom understood that the Rebbe would be relieved if the family would be convinced to leave in an honorable way, so that the historic Chabad Shul would… Read more »
Is it not forbidden to call Avrohom – Avrom? Lo yikorei shimcha Avrom! How can his name have been Avrom?! Also, I heard he brought his son to the Rebbe and said in Yiddish, “Doss iz mein zun” and the Rebbe said, “Dos is nisht a zun, doss iz ah levana”. He had a special relationship with the Rebbe!
you guys are amazing always giving!!! Hashem should continue blessing you and your family…..
His name is R’ Avram Ben David.
Thank you to the Schottenstein Family for undertaking this beautiful project. I’m sure that this is something my reb avrom parshan would have appreciated, so how appropriate that we hear about this on his yohrtzeit.
Indeed a very dear chosid.
What was his full name so that we can do lezchus aliyos nishmaso?
his great grand daughter is currently on putting together a book, she has much of it done already!
thank you!
Today is my Saba’s yahrzeit. I am thrilled that you added this true and important part of the story. would you identify yourself- Also the wtite up ommitted the name of Rabbi Chaim Shalom Deitch, the rosh kollel who is the one that is there each day, rain or shine.
Thank you
Leah Aizenman
SHIMON BAR YOCHAI Night in Toronto for R’ Avraham Parshan’s yorzeit… I used to attend in the early days a place called Edinborg Synagogue and found the atmosphere very very chassidish, with lots of Torah, talk, good farbiseners etc… please reinstate it for R Avraham’s sake…. he was a giant among giants in the Chabad world.
Thanks for sharing. Reb Avrohom Parshan was a true chossid of the Rebbe, and a kluger Yid. Someone should write his life story, so that we all can learn from his maasim tovim to many causes, and people, and especially his love and devotion to the Rebbe.
Incredible story about reb avrom parshan. Today is his yohrtzeit.
He has many special grandchildren and great grandchildren in lubavitch.
The Rebbe once mentioned to a Chossid that the Tefilos from the Kosel take a detour via the Tzemach Tzedek Shul on the way up to heaven. May these Brachos and the Zchus of the Tzemach Tzedek be in good standing for you and your families always.
Yossi Swerdlov & Family.
thank you so much for sharing this unbelievable story
May Hashem continue to bless you. Your generosity and hospitality is beyond words!
thank you!!!!!
U da man thats bringing Moshiach
After the six day war all but one room was returned to Chabad. The Rebbe constantly urging to get the last room back. R’ Avraham Parshan (this week is his yoartzeit) went ahead and approached the Arab that was living there asked if he would mind taking a walk with him. As there walking through the streets of the old city he points to a house and asks him would have you wanted to this house over the small room you have now. Obviously the Arab said yes right then the exchange keys. R’ avraham parshan gave his house for… Read more »
Always giving! May you continue to be able to give until the coming of moshiach!!
I hope they used avoda ivrit