By COLlive reporter
On a recent Sunday, a seemingly casual afternoon get-together turned into a humble yet historic event – the first minyan held in decades in the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Eau Claire (pronounced as if it were spelled “O’Clare”) is a town of about 65,000 people. In the beginning of the 20th century, it was a big logging town and attracted Jewish businessmen and their families.
They grew and prospered in a once thriving Jewish community, but as in other small communities around the country, their children left for larger cities and the Jewish population steadily declined. The Jewish cemetery stands witness to this day.
Eau Claire has today approximately 30 Jews who work at the local hospitals, the university and at a smattering of businesses. Residents Chaim and Stephanie Zighelboim recently hosted a gathering of grilling and camaraderie.
Joining were Shluchim Rabbi Dovid Greene, and two of his sons, Rabbi Shloime Greene and Rabbi Yaakov Greene from Chabad of Southern Minnesota.
Also visiting were Shluchim Rabbi Mendel Levertov of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Rabbi Moshe Spalter of San José, Costa Rica.
“Thanks to Rabbi Greene and his sons, they made a kiddush Hashem in Eau Claire by gathering a group of men to daven together with such simcha and kavanah,” said Chaim Zighelboim. “The gathering was a joyous and historic occasion.”
Yanky G the ultimate tomim!
I personally know rabbi greene from yeshiva days…He always a great chasid and lamdan.