A planned trip to the United States by the Vishnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Hager Shlita, has been placed on hold because of Hurricane Sandy. The rebbe was scheduled to leave for America on Sunday night the eve of 13 Cheshvan 5773.

Reports from Vishnitzer officials state the rebbe was planning to travel on Sunday night for a three-week visit to give chizuk to the chassidus, and fundraise in the United States coinciding with the chasanah of the rebbe’s grandchild, a son of Rav Baruch Shimon Hager, a Vishnitzer av beis din.

The rebbe planned to spend his first week in the USA visiting with supporters of the chassidus seeking contributions for the chassidus’ mosdos. Shabbos was to have been a special event for those who can afford it, $50,000 a person for the closed shabbos with the rebbe. Dozens of chassidim paid the price for the special event.

As is the case with tens of thousands of standard passengers, flights are on hold as Hurricane Sandy continues moving across the East Coast of the USA.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)