Memory Lane: The Aleksander Rebbe

He was a scion of the most illustrious dynasties of Polish Chassidism, and he warmed the hearts of his brethren in postwar Boro Park. He was as humble as he was learned, and through the yeshiva that the Aleksander Rebbe, Rav Yechiel Menachem Singer founded in Boro Park, thousands of young bachurim were inculcated with the fire of Torah and chassidus like in the days of Poland of yore. 

Aleksander 

The Rebbe was born in the Polish town of Aleksander in the year 1911 to his parents, Rav Yaakov Feivel Singer, and Rebbetzin Yuta, a daughter of Rav Yosef Kalisch of Amshinov. His paternal grandfather, Rav Yitzchok Meir Singer, was the son-in-law of Rav Shmuel Tzvi Danzyger, the Tiferes Shmuel of Aleksander, who had thousands of chassidim in Poland. Thus, the royal blood of Aleksander and Amshinov flowed in Rav Yechiel Menachem’s veins—and it was in the atmosphere of Torah and chassidus that thrived in Alekansder that he was raised. 

Although he was not even five years old when his ancestor the Tiferes Shmuel, was niftar (1924), he nevertheless remembered him clearly. He was also greatly influenced by his uncle, Rav Yitzchok Menachem Zynger, the last Aleksander Rebbe prior to the war, and by his grandfather, Rav Yitzchok Meir Zynger. Even when his father accepted the rabbonus of Ostrów Mazowiecka, Yechiel Menachem remained behind to soak up the special atmosphere of Aleksander. He would also visit his saintly grandfather, Rav Yosef of Amshinov, in his hometown of Amshinov. 

Then WWII broke out, and, after many difficult wanderings, he arrived in Shanghai, where he joined the small group of talmidim from Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin who were there, and sat and learned with great hasmodoh. In Shanghai, he had the company of his great-uncle, Rav Shimon Sholom of Amshinov (later in Boro Park)—and he did not move from his side during all their time together. He spent his days learning together with the small chaburah of bachurim from Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. 

An incredible episode took place as the Rebbe was about to embark for New York, his immigration papers in hand, which illustrate the strength of his character. Shortly before his departure, he noticed that his papers were gone, as was a certain bachur who was not lucky enough to have papers of his own. It was clear that this boy could not withstand the test, and took the Rebbe’s papers for himself. He was devasted, because these papers were his ticket to a new life in America. Years later, the Rebbe encountered that individual, and greeted him with the most friendly demeanor (this story would not have come to light if not for others who witnessed it firsthand. The Rebbe himself said not one word). 

Boro Park 

After residing in Williamsburg and on the Lower East Side, the Rebbe moved to Boro Park. The Rebbe’s home was open to all, and his dealings with people were known to be an elevated experience. He would run from even a shred of dishonesty like from fire. 

Once, he attended a wedding of a mekurav, and begged him not to give him any kibbud at the wedding. He explained to the person accompanying him, “I helped put together a large sum of money to make this wedding, and I was afraid that this individual, feeling indebted to me, would feel obligated to honor me.” 

Eventually, the Rebbe acquiesced, and founded an Aleksander Beis Medrash. At the chanukas, he explained to his friend, the Voidislover Rebbe that in truth, he had always endeavored to establish a remembrance for the lost world of Aleksander. “But first I needed to build my own home…” Indeed, the Rebbe merited to raise illustrious chassidishe children who continue his legacy to this day. 

Another aspect of the Rebbe’s legacy was the yeshiva Tiferes Shmuel-Aleksander which remains one of the most prestigious chassidishe yeshivos on the East Coast. Thousands of bachurim have emerged from this institution elevated and inspired toward a lifetime of avodas Hashem. 

The Rebbe continued in his avodas hakodesh and all his minhagim that defined him until his passing in the fall of 1989 following a lifetime of Torah and avodah and illuminating the community of Boro Park of yore.