Biographies & Memoirs

“I searched through everything I have done, and I have found nothing to argue in my merit in the World to Come, other than having trained my student, Rav Shlomo.”

The Mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levinstein

Rav Shlomo Leib Brevda was a world renowned ba’al mussar, public speaker and personal guide to countless students. Devoted talmid of some of the greatest Torah authorities of his time — including Rav Yechezkel Levenstein, the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rav — he was instrumental in passing their wisdom on to the next generation. He also authored extensive commentaries on the writings of the Vilna Gaon and was considered a world authority on the Gra’s writings.

In this fascinating biography, we see the tremendous influence of the Mashgiach Reb Chatzkel, Rav Brevda’s own startling impact and his passionate commitment to truth. Overcoming the materialism that surrounded the society of his youth, he grew to such spiritual heights that one could easily have imagined him to have been born and raised in the mussar yeshivos of pre-war Europe. Now his life and teachings can inspire a new generation thirsting for the word of Hashem. Learn More

For almost fifty years, Rabbi Hecht was a pioneer of Jewish outreach and fearless leader of American Jewry. A powerful, unrelenting force on the front-lines of the fight to preserve and promote the heritage and future of the Jewish people, his influence and inspiration spread across the globe, and their effects still ripple today. From chinuch to assimilation, from intermarriage to counseling, from the skyscrapers of New York to the budding State of Israel — plus the radio waves in between — where there was a Jewish need, Rabbi Hecht stepped up to fill it.

His work enriched the life of thousands, his legacy impacted millions. His memory is alive today.

E. L. Tenenbaum is a granddaughter of Rabbi JJ Hecht. She is a writer, author, playwright, podcaster, and has been a guest speaker at schools around the world. Find out more at www.ELTenenbaum.com. Learn More

But that is a very small part of the story.

Because while it is true that the young immigrant’s pockets were empty, his heart and his neshamah were full: Full of a love for Torah learning, full of a chassidishe bren, full of devotion and empathy for his fellow Jews. Reb Getzel Berger did, indeed, create a business empire that made him one of the largest landlords in England -- but at the same time, even more importantly, he created an empire of tzedakah and chesed. And, as the follower of the Satmar Rebbe, Reb Yoel Teitelbaum, he was a shining example of the devotion a chassid has for his rebbe.

Bestselling author Rabbi Nachman Seltzer shares with us Reb Getzel’s dramatic life and extraordinary achievements. We meet the young man whose passionate love for a mitzvah sends him to the world of real estate, where he becomes more successful than anyone could have imagined. We see him become one of the major forces behind the construction of Reb Yoelish’s “shetl,” Kiryas Yoel. We see his endless generosity when it came to building Torah or saving Jewish lives -- and the marvelous simplicity of his own lifestyle.

As we look at Reb Getzel’s life, we are amazed at what one person -- with boundless love, endless energy, unbelievable Siyata D’Shmaya, and total devotion to Hashem and His people -- can accomplish. We are amazed -- and we are inspired. Learn More

“Do you know where I can find a place to stay for Shabbos?”
“Sure. Go to the Grand Rabbi on Beacon Street. He always has room for one more.”

He came from a long line of chassidic leaders, reaching all the way back to the Baal Shem Tov. He was the son of the first Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Pinchos Dovid Horowitz. He was a brilliant Torah scholar, having learned at Mesivta Torah Vodaath under one of the greatest roshei yeshivah of that time. And yet in his profound modesty, Rav Levi Yitzchok Horowitz did not see himself as a rebbe.

Hashem, though, decreed otherwise. When a small group of his father’s followers pleaded with Rav Levi Yitzchok to come to Boston and lead their shul, he acquiesced. And in the next sixty years, he and his devoted rebbetzin would change the lives of thousands. As rav of his kehillah — which included influential professionals and intellectuals, a dynamic leader of the Boston Jewish community, and Shabbos host to scores of searching college students, the Bostoner Rebbe was a pivotal figure in the flourishing of Torah life in America in the decades after World War II.

In The Rebbe on Beacon Street you will read of the Rebbe’s wisdom and warmth, of his burning desire to help every Jew who came his way, both physically and spiritually. Like Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin on Beacon Street opened their homes to all: everyone was welcomed and treated like family.

Among the Rebbe’s greatest achievements was his founding of ROFEH International, an organization dedicated to providing medical referrals and support services to sick people and their families.

When already in his mid-60s — when many are beginning to contemplate retirement — the Rebbe founded a new community with the opening of a shul in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood. For the next two decades, he would spend six months a year leading and developing a Bostoner kehillah in Eretz Yisrael, while continuing to be a father figure to his flock in Boston.

Come and meet The Rebbe on Beacon Street. As you bask in the glow of his overflowing ahavas Yisrael, you will feel inspired. Enlightened. Transformed. Learn More

The inspiring life of Rav Shlomo Rothenberg, Rosh Yeshivah of Mountaindale who changed countless lives with his passion, devotion and love

Rav Shlomo's eyes lit up as he turned to his talmid and proclaimed, "You've made my day!"

"Rebbi," the talmid replied, "you've made my life!"

He grew to be a star rosh yeshivah in the hallowed walls of the beis midrash.

Though his official position was that of a rebbi, and then rosh yeshivah, at Yeshivah Zichron Mayir of Mountaindale, Rav Shlomo was so much more than that. To his talmidim, he was an impactful rebbi, a caring father, and a best friend all at once. Indeed, his giant heart overflowing with love - both for his Creator and his fellow - moved him to devote his life to uplifting and helping every Jew he encountered.  

Come feel the warmth of Rav Shlomo's smile, the love in his trademark bear-hug, and the inspiration in the lessons he imparted. Learn More

How do you describe Rabbi Shlomo Gissinger?

He was:

• A world class posek
• A much beloved Rav
• A Yid with a caring heart, that pulsed with sensitivity
• A talmid chacham -“ versed in Kol HaTorah kulah
• A pioneering Torah and kehillah builder
• A tireless advocate who couldn't bear to see any child without a school
• A father figure to countless youth in crisis
• A medical halacha genius, who saved lives with his knowledge and his refusal to give up, and who helped hundreds of mothers who'd despaired of ever attaining that title
• A trailblazer in the world of kashrus
• A man with a captivating smile, and simchas ha'chaim bright enough to light up the lives of all around him

Rav Shlomo Gissinger was a man with a passionate love for Hashem, for His Torah, and for His people, available to everyone, attentive to their needs, extraordinarily sensitive to their feelings.

At Any Hour: Harav Shlomo Gissinger is not a traditional chronological biography. Rather, it is a collection of unforgettable stories based on the recollections and impressions of those who knew him, loved him, and, of course, turned to him for wise advice and help.

In story after story At Any Hour: Harav Shlomo Gissinger shows us just how great a person, can be. More: It shows us how we, too, can aspire - one step at a time - to becoming the very best that we can be. Learn More

Cherished by the Leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, wrote to a follower: “It would be most appropriate if you would transcribe what you remember from the veteran Chasidim that you had made their acquaintance, such as R. Peretz [Chein] and his son, R. Dovid Tzvi.”

Finally, after many years of research and compilation, the above directive can said to have been accomplished with this handsome volume.

A sizeable amount of the material presented here is sourced in the writings of the Lubavitcher Rebbes, although the better part is based on family memoirs. Laden with images, news clippings, and letters by the Rebbes and more, this fascinating collection of historical gems will surely keep readers delighted.

Includes an Appendix chronicling Chein family roots dating back 2500 years to Jewish life in Babylonia and Spain. Learn More

He may have been a successful businessman; however, his family never heard him talk about it. In fact, one could hardly recognize him as a businessman. He always found time to study Torah, by himself, with others, and his children.

With his siblings and brother-in-law, Zalman supported many of the Rebbe's institutions and activities, and kindly assisted those less fortunate than he was.

In this book, you will learn how Zalman did it. Learn More

What a journey! In Incredible! we met young Joe Wallis, member of a tough Bronx gang with ties to the Mafia. We saw him becoming a wealthy businessman living in the lap of California luxury. Finally, we followed him to Eretz Yisrael, becoming a religious Jew, close to many of Eretz Yisrael's gedolim and busy bringing thousands of Jews back to their Torah roots. Wow.

Incredible 2 is filled with more fascinating stories, more adventures, more inspiring personalities from Rabbi Wallis’s dynamic life. We read about his first steps to Torah observance, where he experiences mysterious encounters and unexpected hashgachah every step of the way. We will meet unforgettable people. The African Prince who became a religious Jew. The investigative reporter who went to an Arachim seminar to prove it was a scam and winds up becoming religious as a result of the lectures. The 89-year-old "bar mitzvah boy."

And we will be amazed and inspired by Rabbi Wallis's warm and intimate relationships with Rav Chaim Greineman and Rav Menachem Man Shach zt"l, who took this unique baal teshuvah under their wings and helped lead him to greatness. Incredible 2.

The story is as incredible as... Incredible! Learn More