5572-5752 (1811-1991)Sixty people, not more. Yet, this was enough to encourage Reb Noson, this was enough to show him that the Rebbe's instruction to join him in Uman to pray on Rosh Hashanah would be fulfiilled for generations to come. *** |
On Rosh Hashanah itself more than 2000 people
would pray
together in the Megametor, a huge factory that was converted into a
synagogue.
There the huge congregation lifted its eyes to Heaven and proclaimed:
GOD
IS KING!
The Kloiz -- Foundation of the KibutzThe Kloiz, or, as it was nicknamed by Breslovers of old "the factory of Judaism," was considered by Reb Noson as a crucial element in perpetuating Rebbe Nachman's teachings. He often praise d the words spoken to him by one Reb Mendel of Ladizin, "Reb Noson! If you don't build a beit knesset for us Breslovers you won't have done anything." At one point Reb Noson realized himself that the kibutz (gathering together) for Rosh Hashanah would be impossible if a beit knesset was not built. "You'll have to remove the old to make way for the new!" |
5572 -- From the Hamber to Shomrim Laboker5582 -- The Kibutz Moves |
5590 -- A Movement to Build the KloizFinally, after all the setbacks and delays, a movement began to build a permanent Breslover Kloiz. As we quoted above, Reb Mendel of Ladizin said, "Reb Noson! If you don't build a beit knesset for us Breslovers you won't have done anything." Reb Noson replied, "If so, you be the first to contribute." Reb Mordechai, poor as he was, ran home and quickly returned with his last two rubles. He was delighted to give them to Reb Noson. Reb Noson, though, being quite aware of Reb Mordechai's situation did not want to take the money. However, Reb Mordechai insisted and even begged Reb Noson not to take away this mitzvah from him until Reb Noson finally agreed. Later, when Reb Noson would go fundraising for the Kloiz he would tell those who were well off, "That poor man gave away everything he owned -- shouldn't you?!" In later years Reb Noson would often say, "I'm
not sure
what built the Kloiz more, the money of the rich people or the longing
of the poor..."
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5592 -- Laying the Foundation5594 -- HomecomingFacelifts. For close to next hundred years the Kloiz was home to the Breslover Chassidim. In 5626 (1866) it was refurbished by Reb Sender of Trehvitza. In approximately 5663 (1903) it was totally renovated by Reb Isaac of Uman. Throughout this entire period the Breslovers warmed themselves by the light of Rebbe Nachman's teaching. Until 5696 (1936). 5596 -- The Kloiz is ClosedAfter Reb Levy Yitzchok and the late Reb Elya Chaim Rosen were imprisoned the Kloiz was shut down. This is how the situation was described by Reb Aron Leib Tzigelman: |
"We received letters from Uman -- from Reb Avraham Sofer, from Reb Matisyahu, from Reb Neshka and from Reb Berel Cohen -- that immediately after Rosh Hashanah the Communist newspapers were filled with a series of articles describing the Kloiz as a hotbed of anti-Soviet activity. Those wicked people have gone so far as to actually shut the Kloiz and the mikveh. Darkness covers the faces of our fellow Breslovers. The apple of our eye, our Rebbe's beit knesset, and the holy mikveh, have been taken away from us. For over 120 years the Rebbe's fire has burned. What will become of us now?" 50 Years Without the Kloiz5749 -- Rosh Hashanah at the Hotel Uman |
Here and there, some chinks in the Soviet
armor appeared.
Superhuman attempts were made to be in Uman for Rosh Hashanah. In 5749
(1988) a group of about 250 failed to check out of their rooms in the
Hotel
Uman. They stayed and prayed, and sang and danced. Passersby looked up
in confusion at the windows of the old hotel. They could not
fathom
what was going on. Most were too young to know that there had once upon
a time been a synagogue in Uman, and some were too old to remember.
One of those present was the late Reb Shmuel Shapira. He was in his late 70s and suffering Parkinson's disease. Despite his weakness and pain he persevered so as to be able to fulfill at least once in his life the Rebbe's advice to be in Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Those who were present can neither describe nor forget the ecstasy expressed in Reb Shmuel's dance at the close of the holiday. 5750 -- The Kibutz is RenewedA large factory was rented and hasty
preparations began.
The Breslover groundkeepers threw themselves wholeheartedly into their
work. The great day would soon be at hand.
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No one cared. They were all so thrilled to be worthy of fulfilling a lifelong dream, to be pioneering partners in opening the gates of Uman. And throughout that Rosh Hashanah elderly Jews, who remembered the Uman of long, long ago joined them. 5751-5752 -- The Megametor5753 -- The Institute |
The Vaad searched and located an even larger
venue. The
Institute, a local university, was near completion. It had three large
floors, large auuditoriums and dormitory facilities. The auditoriums
could
be -- and were -- used as a beit knesset and dining room.
That year a new record was achieved. Over 4,000 made it to Uman for Rosh Hashanah! Many crews were formed to assist the newcomers and others who needed help and to prepare the Institute for its guests. Despite the great success that God granted to the work that was invested, it became obvious from a number of occurrences that Breslov Chassidim would no longer be able to allow themselves to be anyyone's guests. The decision was made: the time had arrived to rebuild the Kloiz! During 5753 (1992-93) a temporary structure was built. There the kibutz prayed for three Rosh Hashanahs, 5754-5756. Despite being refurbished for Rosh Hashanah 5756 this struccture too was too small. The kibutz had gone from six minyanim to 600! Over 6,000 people came for Rosh Hashanah! A permanent structure was desperately needed -- and soon! Nowadays, God Runs the
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Reb Michel Dorfman and the other members of
the Vaad
have undertaken the responsibility and the yoke of the entire project.
They have worked tirelessly and unceasingly to bring the project to
fruition.
In particular, Reb Nassan Maimon has gone beyond the call of
duty,
and has made this a labor of love. Now it?s our turn to help them.
Become a part of history and a part of this historical project. Think of those who have preceded you and those who will come after you, of those who toiled in the "factory of Judaism" so that the Rebbe?s fire would continue to burn for you and those for whom you can keep the fire burning. Think of those who suffered poverty and disgrace for the Rebbe's sake and think of what contribution you can make so that their efforts will produce yet more fruit. Open your hearts and your hands and buy seats in the Kloiz for yourself and your family. If you have already done so, think of memorializing a departed friend or relative by making a donation to the building fund. Become a permanent owner in the permanent Kloiz. Do it today. |
Building the KloizThe Mikvaot. The lower level, which is partially underground, will house the mikvaot. This level covers an area of approximately 1,500 square meters. Five large mikvaot have been dug, beautiful and modern to the utmost. Much planning and forethought was given to the building of the mikvaot. They are being built according to the highest halachich and engineering standards. On the halachich side, rabbis who are known for their expertise and experience in mikvaot are supervising their production. At their head is the internationally known authority Rabbi Nachum Rosenberg of the United States. (Among the halachich virtues are z'riah-fed mikvaot and bor al bor.) |
The mikveh level will be divided into three
halls. Each
of the first two will have two mikvaot and large, spacious
dressing
rooms and showers to comfortably accommodate the thousands of visitors
who come for Rosh Hashanah. The halls will be used on alternate days,
so
that they can be properly maintained. This will also enable us to avoid
halachic
problems of using non-Jewish labor on Rosh Hashanah.
A fifth mikveh will be located in the third hall. This mikveh (and its dressing rooms and showers) will be reserved for the physically challenged and the elderly, allowing them to prepare for the holiday with greater ease. What must certainly be considered a kindness from Heaven was the discovery of an underground spring not far from the building's location! This spring will provide all the water for this facility. This eliminates the need for its being hooked-up to the city's water supply. (The two small reservoirs that were used last year as mikvaot will now be used to store water for emergencies.) Guest AccommodationsThis Rosh Hashanah the guest lodge will be at the disposal of the teenage yeshiva students coming from around the world.
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The Main SynagogueAn internationally known architect has designed the acoustics of the Kloiz. The eastern wall of the synagogue, approximately as long as the Kotel, is particularly wide and narrows as it runs north-south. The reason it was so designed was to eliminate echoes, which could invalidate the sounding of the shofar, and to allow the services and reading of the Torah to be more easily heard. The windows have been designed to make as much use of natural light as possible. The area of thesynagogue is approximately 1600 square meters. Above it will be built two large galleries, each of which will be the same in area as the synagogue itself. At the rear of the lower gallery will be a beit
midrash
that will be used year-round for daily and Shabbat services. The wall
between
the two will be made to open so that on Rosh Hashanah the beit
midrash
will be part of the gallery. Other plans for the beit midrash currently
include opening it for outreach programs run by Breslov institutions
and
other Jewish organizations. In fact, requests to use the new facilities
have already been received.
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Supervision and InspectionFrom the moment the building actually began an inspection mechanism was set in motion to guarantee that the work would proceed smoothly and satisfactorily. On-site inspectors daily check daily inspect the quality and progress of the work being done, as well as the quality of all materials delivered. The Ukrainian government has also taken an
active interest
in the building of the Kloiz. Every week it sends a regional
inspector
from Tcharkass to monitor the project's progress and to authorize its
continuation.
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