Overview of Pittsburgh: A Warm Hasidic Community in Ashdod, Israel
The Pittsburgh Chassidic community comprises almost 100 families. Most of them live in Ashdod; however, there are Pittsburgher Hasidim in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beis Chilkiya, New York, and California. Each Pittsburgh hasid has a unique relationship with the Rebbe שליט"א, yet all feel that the Rebbe שליט"א is their loving father. The chassidim are in constant contact with the Rebbe שליט"א, asking for his guidance, receiving the Rebbe’s advice and blessing.
On Shabbos, the shul is overflowing. The Rebbe’s tish continues until late at night with singing and דברי תורה. Shabbos morning, the davening is enhanced by the Rebbe’s נוסח. Pittsburgh is famous for their Hasidic Niggunim. At the end of the Shabbos meal, the Hasidim gather in the Rebbe’s house for a midday tish. סעודה שלישית continues well into the night with the Rebbe’s fiery words of מוסר.
On weekday evenings, people from all walks of life stream to the Rebbe’s office to lay the burden of their troubles at his feet and receive the Rebbe’s blessing. The Rebbe שליט"א leaves the office in the early hours of the morning always giveiving of himself for Klal Yisrael. Many people have seen miraculous salvation as a result of the Rebbe’s blessings.
In addition, the Rebbe overseas the growth of running the Pittsburgh Institutions. The educational system for the boys is extensive including a nursery school, a Cheder called Bnei Avraham, a Yeshiva for boys called Tzidkas Yosef from Bar Mitzvah to 16, a Yeshiva for older boys, and several Kollels including the Beis Avi Kollel. The Cheder, with over 300 students, is famous throughout Israel for its exceptional approach towards teaching. The Yeshivas, with 90 students, regularly award certificates to boys who are tested on 200, 300, 500, and 1000 Blatt גמרא with רש"י and תוספות. The Kollels include a כולל הלכה and a כולל גמרא, as well as an early morning Kollel and a night Kollel. Rabbi Shmuel Einfeld שליט"א is the Director of the Pittsburgh Educational institutions.