The recent very busy three-day visit to Israel of the
philanthropist, Reb Yaakov Weinreb, was packed full of
activities and included visits to gedolei Yisroel in
Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Netanya. Reb Weinreb arrived in
Israel together with his brother-in-law, the philanthropist
Reb Avraham Reiss, and their families.
Reb Weinreb's main purpose in coming to the country at this
time was to be here for the yahrtzeit of his late
father, Reb Arye Leibish Weinreb z"l, who is buried in
Jerusalem. The yahrtzeit was on 6 Marcheshvon.
Rav Chaim Yitzchok Cohen, director of the Sadigura
Institutions, met the guests at the airport. They were then
driven directly to Bnei Brak where they embarked immediately
on their schedule of visits. In addition to meeting with
gedolei Yisroel they also met with well-known Torah
teachers, heads of institutions and people who are actively
involved in communal affairs. All those they visited
expressed their appreciation to them for the support that
they have been extending to Torah learning in Israel over
many years.
Also while in Bnei Brak, they attended the dedication of the
new Aron Hakodesh they donated to Bnei Brak's central
Boyan shul -- the shul that the Weinrebs dedicated a year
ago. A large number of people attended the event, including
the Boyaner Rebbe.
On Friday morning, the morning of the yahrtzeit, the
family made a lechaim at Jerusalem's Sadigura shul.
They then went to Har Hamenuchos, where their father is
buried. A large number of friends of the family gathered at
the graveside and HaRav Nachum Cohen spoke in memory of the
departed.
On Shabbos, R' Weinreb and R' Reiss and their families
davened at the Belzer and Boyaner botei midrash, and
were warmly welcomed by the Belzer and Boyaner Rebbes.
Sunday was the last day of their visit and they spent much of
it in Netanya. They first visited the Sanzer Rebbe who
welcomed then warmly and they then went on to Laniado
Hospital where they attended a ceremony marking the opening
of a new hospital department that had been donated by the
Weinreb family in memory of their father.
The family then returned to Jerusalem, and the last major
event of Reb Weinreb's visit to Israel was a visit on Sunday
evening to HaRav Yosef Shalom Eliashiv. Rav Chaim Yitzchok
Cohen accompanied him on this visit.
Reb Weinreb and his family are widely involved in
contributing towards Torah causes. People they met in Israel
expressed their appreciation to them not only for their
support of the teaching of Torah and chassidus, but also for
the help they give towards the publication of Torah
literature, both in Israel and abroad.
