Yesterday the New York City Council passed legislation sponsored by Councilman David G. Greenfield to rename 50th Street between 14th and 15th Avenues in Borough Park, Brooklyn ‘Rabbi Weissmandl Way,’ in honor of the life and memory of the Rabbi Chaim Michoel Dov Weissmandl, known as Reb Micheol Ber. Thanks to Councilman Greenfield’s legislation, the City will install permanent street signage along 50th Street commemorating the Rabbi and his extraordinary life.

Rabbi Weissmandl was a heroic resistant fighter whose efforts saved thousands of Jews during World War II. He dedicated several years of his life to saving Slovakian Jews. Thanks to the creation of his “Europe Plan,” he convinced German and Slovakian authorities to delay the mass deportation of Jews for two years. He also appealed to foreign leaders worldwide for assistance and alerted them to the actions of the Nazis across Europe. As a result of his efforts to save Jewry, Rabbi Weissmandl was arrested dozens of times and was even sent to Auschwitz, but managed to jump from a moving train and escape to Switzerland shortly thereafter.

In addition to his efforts on the international stage to save countless Jews, Rabbi Weissmandl also left an indelible mark on communities through New York, especially Borough Park. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1946, Rabbi Weissmandl re-established the Nitra Yeshiva, first in New Jersey and then in Mount Kisco. In the time since, Nitra shuls have been established in many communities, including two in Borough Park and one in Williamsburg.

“Rabbi Weissmandl was a genuine hero, a great Talmid Chochom and leader for thousands of Jews throughout the world. Renaming a stretch of 50th Street between 14th and 15th Avenue, the location of a Nitra shul, is the least we can do in tribute to this great Rabbi to ensure his legacy and heroism lives on in our community for generations to come,” said Councilman David G. Greenfield.

The New York City Council has the authority to rename street blocks in commemoration of New Yorkers who have made an enduring and lasting impact on large segments of the City’s population and whose importance to the City is a result of exemplary acts. No person is more befitting of this honor than Rabbi Weissmandl. A ceremony to unveil the new street name will be announced later this summer.

(YWN Desk – NYC)