A shul was established in Tzfas by survivors of WWII from Romania. Now they find themselves being ousted from that building to clear the way for Breslov Chassidim, with the latter stating they have a permit from City Hall.

The shul in question was used by the Romanian survivors and their families for forty years. The shul is located in southern Tzfas, and it is known as a place where survivors daven.

Of late, a number of Breslov Chassidim have been taking control of the shul. At first, they explained they just want to daven in the shul and in time, their rav began giving shiurim without permission from the gabbai. This led to a change in the nussach and now, the chassidim are trying to oust the survivors and take the shul.

According to the mispallalim, on Sunday, 7 Kislev 5774 the chassidim broke into the shul and removed marble memorial plaques and names of those who perished in the Holocaust HY”D. “What is really sad is that the mayor and Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu are giving them backing” said one veteran shul member, Yisrael. “The beis din in the city said they can daven here but the gabbaim were appointed by Rabbi Shmuel Chasida, who headed the shul for 40 years” he added.

Yisrael adds the chassidim attacked the bal tefilla when he got up to daven mincha on Shabbos. He admits that today, the chassidim have taken over and they have even placed a sign that read בית הכנסת של חסידי מוהר”ן.

Menachem Weinberg, who is a veteran of the shul and whose son fell in the line of duty in the Yom Kippur War dedicated a plaque in his son’s memory in the shul. “This is what our children deserve” he asked. “Give me my place back” he shouts in tears, adding “they have killed me mentally!”

Today, three survivors remain in the shul from the original kehilla, a small reminder of the one proud minyan.

City Hall adds “This is a halachic-religious matter, handled by the city’s beis din and therefore, we are not a part of the dispute. We are sorry that mispallalim cannot find a golden path (compromise) and a way to respect one another.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)