By Menachem Baron, COLlive reporter
Satmar chassidim from New York recently donated a generous sum of $85,000 to build the Chabad mikvah in Tokyo, Japan.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman Revach, a kashrus authority from Israel who travels to check mikvaos, reported the donation in an interview with an Israeli weekly.
“There was a mikvah there in the past but when a Conservative Rabbi was elected, the first thing he did was to destroy the mikvah,” the Sephardic rabbi said.
“For people to visit the mikvah, they needed to fly to another city, which cost them around $1000 a trip.”
Rabbi Revach said the donation was given by the Satmar chassidim in appreciation for the support the Tokyo Shluchim Rabbi Mendi and Chana Sudakevitch gave to the “Japan prisoners.”
The 3 Israeli bochurim, accused of smuggling drugs in a suitcase given to them by a third party, were detained under harsh conditions in a Japan prison.
Rabbi and Mrs. Sudakevitch offered them and their families spiritual and physical support over the years – which the Satmar Chassidim were very grateful for.
“The donation covers half of the mikvah costs,” Rabbi Revach pointed out. “We are still trying to raise more.”
This is not the first time that Satmar chassidim have donated to Lubavitch. 5 years ago it was reported that R’ Volf Lefkowitz and R’ Avrohom Boruch Gordinger donated $150,000 to build the stunning mikvah of Chabad Beijing.
#1 made a neutral comment. But the vindictive comments that were made in response were painful to read and degraded the very positive tone of the article itself.
Kol hakavod!
B’’H
Boruch Hashem 🙂 Thanks Satmar!
He is the last of the prisoners. There have been many disappointing twists and turns in the case.
It is this type of chesed from the Chabad shluchim in Tokyo, as well as hakoras hatov from Satmar, that will tip the scales of achdus and bring Moshiach. Everyone should put aside previous differences and rejoice in the way that Yidden help each other!
Does anyone know anything about the last bochur there?
B”H for our shluchim. If not for them, what would these bochurim have done?
BH extends both ways, as it should. Several years ago, my mom was in the hospital in Manhattan. I slept on Shabbosim at the apartment, paid for by Satmar for the very purpose of families visiting patients. They of course knew that I was Chabad, and it did not affect for a moment their generous hospitality. BTW, they asked for no donation or hishtatfus.
whats wrong with you?
hes giving chabad!!!
there are many shluchim that get lotsa help thru satmers.
I am a broke yid on Food Stamps and Medicaid. I was in Satmar Kiryas Joel, NY over the summer. They treated me like a MENCH! I AM NOT EVEN ANYTHING CLOSE TO LOOKING LIKE A CHOSID IN MY JEANS AND THE ONLY CLOTHES I HAVE…CAN AFFORD. SATMAR GAVE ME FREE FOOD!!! I AM *NOT* A CHOSID. SECULAR JEWS GET IT THROUGH YOUR GOYISHE KUP. THEY GAVE ME FREE *FOOD* WITH A *SMILE*. DO *NOT* EVER FORGET THAT!!! ***WOW*** AHAVAS YISROEL!!!
You’re totally off the mark. Your snide comment is a Chilul.
As #6 suggested, – GET A LIFE111
May this act finally bring the Geulah!! Hakoras Hatov is a very special Midda!!
It’s well known that since Lubavitchers were beaten nearly to death by satmars, the Lubavitch community stopped eating satmar hashgocho. Several years ago I started eating satmar hechsher again because it seems very clear that the satmar violence is history and was replaced by enduring mutual friendship, thanks to the younger genration of satmars and lots of siyata dishmaya.
That makes no sense. It is possible they did not maintain it, but to deliberately destroy it? That is not the way of Conservatives and shame on whoever said this.
hakoras hatov at its greatest. beautiful
it very nice.we always encourage such nice gesture. i recall a satmer chosid paid for renovation of the mikva in rostov. tove alehem brocho.
To #1 – why must you downplay an act of generosity? It was very thoughtful and kind on their part. Have YOU donated any money to a Satmar cause b/c of help you received from someone in that kehilla?
and dont make a stupid argument over it!
to #1 what a sad comment you made and a warped way of thinking. The Shluchim in Tokyo Japan, Rabbi and Mrs. Sudakevich, are there on Shlichus to help any Jew , be it Frum or not Frum in whatever situation they find themselves. So yes, they gave it to CHABAD bec. Chabad is there 24/7 for any jew that moves….and a Shliach=Chabad .
Very impressed with Satmar donation, it shows mentschlichkeit.
it beautiful to see the hakaros hatov and the credit being given where its due
Satmer chasidim are giving money to a shliach who helped Satmer bochurim who were arrested.