The Munkacser Rebbe

The multitudes that typically walk past the bustling intersection of Boro Park’s 14th Avenue and 47th Street are accustomed to the imposing edifice of the Munkacser Beis Medrash. The iconic building has been a Chassidic landmark for over four decades and is a familiar sight to many. But while many pass without an additional glance, an occasional more discerning passerby may pick up the faint yet powerful reverberations from within. Looking up, just past the “Binyan Menachem Ostreicher” letterings on the facade of the building, comes the robust sound of Torah learning; a sound that resonates echoes of the past, yet holds the promise of an eternal future.

Yeshiva V’Kollel Chaim V’Shulom Zichron Tzvi is a crown jewel of the Munkacs Torah institutions specifically, and a source of pride to the Torah community at large. Commonly referred to as a chiddush in the world of Chassidishe kollelim, its avreichim are known to be of a rare caliber, and the level of iyun and lomdus is famous for being highly exceptional.

The Kollel is led by the Munkacser Rebbe’s son-in-law, Harav Yosef Horowitz, shlita. Rav Horowitz leads the Kollel with a unique devotion, with his weekly shiur being widely acclaimed for its breadth and depth of the sugya. The roshei chaburah, Harav Leibel Cisner, Harav Yaakov Yosef Katz, and Harav Chaim Eluzer Horowitz are each renowned talmidei chachamim and do much to increase the overall stature as well as individual learning of each of the yungerleit. Harav Moshe Green, a veteran talmid chacham, serves as ShoelUmeishiv in the morning. An additional notable feature of the Kollel is the two-pronged learning track of either Gemara and halacha offered in the afternoon seder. Enhancing the halacha track is the noted dayan Harav Yitzchok Eizik Spitzer who delivers shiurim to that chabura.

The Munkacser Rebbe consistently shows great connection and appreciation to the Kollel. Occasionally, the Rebbe personally visits and delivers shiurim enabling the avreichim to utilize the opportunity to benefit from the mesorah which the Rebbe shlita passes on from his roshei yeshiva and rebbeim, zt’l. The Rebbe, shlita,shows much interest in the progress of the Kollel’s limudim as well as all aspects of the success of this notable makom Torah.

The Five Towns community bears a particular connection to Kollel “Zichron Tzvi”, named for one of the pillars of the community, the legendary R’ Hershel (Tzvi) Ostreicher, a’h. The Ostreicher family’s connection with Munkacs spans back to the era of the previous Munkacser Rebbe, the revered Minchas Eluzar, under whom R’ Hershel’s father, R’ Menachem Ostreicher, a’h, served as one of the Roshei Kehillah.

Mr. and Mrs. Yussie Ostreicher along with Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Zitter befittingly dedicated the distinctive Torah edifice that is Yeshiva and Kollel Chaim V’Shulom as an everlasting memory to their father R’ Hershel. In doing so they have combined two of R’ Hershel’s greatest values, Torah learning and Munkacs, into ‘Zichron Tzvi’, assuring a relationship for eternity.

An enthusiastic partner to this lofty endeavor was the late Mrs. Helen Ostreicher, a’h. Befittingly, Mrs. Ostreicher’s noble demeanor and character is commemorated on a daily basis through ‘Keren Chaya Nechama’; a program that promotes rigorous testing and extra learning hours, taking the hasmada and level of Torah learning in the Kollel to the next level.

The Ostreicher family relationship with the Yeshiva and Kollel is more than just a commemoration of the past though, but rather a recognition of its vibrant and intensifying future. As such, R’ Yussie is continuing his tradition of hosting the Yeshiva’s annual Lawrence breakfast.

The reception will take place this Sunday, November 2, in the Ostreicher home at 184 Wildacre Avenue and is set to begin at 9:30. The Munkacser Rebbe is expected to attend and to address the event with DivreiTorah. The Rebbe’s coming to the Five Towns is seen as both a privilege and an opportunity for all. Hagaon Rav Naftali Jaeger, Rosh Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv will enhance the program as its guest speaker.

The Five Towns community at large, and friends of Munkacs and R’ Yussie Ostreicher in particular, are looking forward to show respect and appreciation for this most notable mosad of Torah.