Leifer family moving announcement [1932]
The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
Rabbi Yosef Leifer came to the United States from his native Galitzia in 1923, seeking donations for the dowries of his orphaned sisters. He settled in Western Pennsylvania with his wife Rebbetzin Sara Tova and their four children in 1926, becoming the first Chassidic rabbi to locate in the region. The family initially lived at 2035 Wylie Ave. in the Hill District, a house previously owned by the Edlis family. The house included a mikveh (ritual bath) in the basement, a sanctuary on the first floor for a new congregation called Kahal Chassidim, and living quarters for the Leifer family on the second floor.[1]Levin, Steve. “The Rabbi Who Put Pittsburgh On Israel’s Map,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 12, 1998 (online—Newspapers.com).
Kahal Chassidim relocated several times during the 1930s and into early 1940s. It moved to a house at 33 Niagara St. in the Oakcliffe section of Oakland in late 1932, to a house at 5818 Bartlett St. in Squirrel Hill in 1939 and down the block to a house at 5807 Bartlett St. in 1943.[2]Leifer family moving announcement, Jewish Criterion, February 9, 1939 (online). [3]Cahal Chassidim advertisement, Jewish Criterion, August 25, 1939 (online). [4]Ahavath Israel advertisment, Jewish Criterion, September 17, 1943 (online).With the final move, the congregation changed its name to Ahavath Israel.
Rabbi Yosef Leifer died on Purim 1966.[5]Rabbi Joseph Leifer obituary, Jewish Chronicle, March 11, 1966 (online). His son Rabbi Avram Aba Leifer (1918-1990) returned to Pittsburgh from Newark to assume the pulpit.[6]“Chassidic Service To Mark Rebbe Leifer Purim Yahrzeit.,” Jewish Chronicle, March 24, 1967 (online). Ahavath Israel continued until 1970, when the Leifer family relocated to Israel. The Bartlett Street building was sold to the Talmudical Institute and Mesivta of Pittsburgh.[7]“Historical Landmark,” Jewish Chronicle, August 13, 1970 (online). Rabbi Avram Aba Leifer founded Kiryat Pittsburgh in the Israeli city of Ashdod and became known as the Pittsburgher Rebbe. Following his death, his son Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer (1955-2020) assumed leadership of the community and became the second Pittsburgher Rebbe. His son Rabbi Meshulam Eliezer Leifer (1979) became the third Pittsburgher Rebbe in 2020.[8]Velucci, Justin. “‘Pittsburgher Rebbe’ succumbs to COVID-19,” Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, Oct. 13, 2020 (online—Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle).
References
| ↑1 | Levin, Steve. “The Rabbi Who Put Pittsburgh On Israel’s Map,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 12, 1998 (online—Newspapers.com). |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Leifer family moving announcement, Jewish Criterion, February 9, 1939 (online). |
| ↑3 | Cahal Chassidim advertisement, Jewish Criterion, August 25, 1939 (online). |
| ↑4 | Ahavath Israel advertisment, Jewish Criterion, September 17, 1943 (online). |
| ↑5 | Rabbi Joseph Leifer obituary, Jewish Chronicle, March 11, 1966 (online). |
| ↑6 | “Chassidic Service To Mark Rebbe Leifer Purim Yahrzeit.,” Jewish Chronicle, March 24, 1967 (online). |
| ↑7 | “Historical Landmark,” Jewish Chronicle, August 13, 1970 (online). |
| ↑8 | Velucci, Justin. “‘Pittsburgher Rebbe’ succumbs to COVID-19,” Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, Oct. 13, 2020 (online—Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle). |
