Biographies & Memoirs
- During and after World War II, a leader of exceptional stature emerged in Klal Yisrael. He was a dynamo, a brilliant talmid chacham who displayed unwavering dedication to Hashem and His people, and above all, unparalleled self-sacrifice. He was Rav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, the Klausenburger Rebbe.
Despite enduring unspeakable personal tragedies, he ascended to remarkable spiritual heights while inspiring his suffering brethren. His indomitable spirit continued to inspire fellow survivors, offering hope and illuminating faith in a world shrouded in darkness.
In this meticulously researched and powerfully written biography, we encounter this extraordinary figure, whose unwavering faith served as a beacon, singlehandedly drawing thousands to Torah observance and rebuilding the Torah world. He instituted programs like Mifal Hashas that were revolutionary and transformative. His private avodas Hashem seemed superhuman, as he spent hours on end immersed in Torah learning and tefillah, inspiring other towards greater spiritual aspirations.
Read this biography and learn of the unfathomable heights to which a human being can reach. Learn More
- Thousands of students were educated by the legendary gaon and mekubal Rabbi Menachem Zev HaLevi Greenglass—affectionately known as "Volf"—throughout his close to seventy years of serving as mashpia in Tomchei Temimim Montreal, the yeshiva he helped establish by direction of the Frierdiker Rebbe.
Born in Lodz, Poland, to Aleksander Chassidim, Reb Volf was attracted at a young age to the derech of Chabad, enrolling in the Tomchei Temimim in Otvotzk. The outbreak of WWII sent him on a remarkable journey through Lithuania, Russia, Japan, and China, until he ultimately arrived in Montreal, Canada.
In Montreal, Reb Volf served as the chief mashpia, mentoring generations of students and even concerning himself with their physical needs. Unassuming and with a cheerful disposition, he was always equipped with a witty response.
Proficient in all areas of Torah, Reb Volf played a crucial role in compiling Sefer Haminhagim and publishing a halachic composition, Likutei Dinim, at the Rebbe’s instruction. Fluent in Kabbalah, he developed a fascinating relationship with contemporary kabbalists, orchestrated by the Rebbe.
Aside from his immense Torah knowledge, Reb Volf was a treasure trove of Chassidic stories, fond of telling them during classes and farbrengens to deliver important messages.
This English volume includes a comprehensive biography of Reb Volf’s life from Poland to Montreal, hundreds of stories and vertlach told by Reb Volf, and his writings and correspondence. Learn More
- Rav Yisroel Alter, the Beis Yisroel, became the Rebbe of Gur at a time of deep darkness. Just a few years earlier, tens of thousands of Gerrer chassidim had perished in the Holocaust, and the few who’d survived faced the daunting challenge of beginning new lives.
Rav Yisroel became the Rebbe – and he rebuilt a world, miraculously leading Gerrer chassidus to almost unimaginable levels of greatness.
At the same time he was a loving, empathetic, wise shepherd, gently and patiently giving people the time and space they needed to grow.
Written with the flair and emotion that have made Yisroel Besser’s biographies so beloved, The Beis Yisroel tells both stories -- the story of the Rebbe’s immeasurable impact on a nation still reeling, and the individual stories of how he was able to heal, encourage and uplift. From a sign painter to his beloved talmidim, from survivors whose horrific experiences had sent them far from their chassidic routes to bachurim struggling with the lures of secular society – whatever the challenges, the Rebbe was there to help and guide and find the greatness of every Jew. Learn More
He started literally with nothing, and built an empire of business – and chesed.
He was a brilliant businessman whom Rabbi Moshe Sherer called “the malach of shalom.”
He was a man who blended startling financial acumen with mussar hashkafah – and made it work!
He was the unique, inimitable Reb Benny Fishoff. And this is his story, his wisdom, in his own words.B’Ahavah, Benny – the story of Reb Benny Fishoff -- is not a typical “rags to riches” story. Rather, it’s a “riches to riches” story. The story of a young man, sole survivor of his family after the Holocaust, who took the riches of chassidic devotion, the riches of years of intense yeshivah learning, the riches of memories of his warm and loving family, and who used those riches to build, to listen, to counsel and to enrich others. It is a story of amazing business savvy combined with profound “mentschlichkeit,” a story filled with siyyata dishmaya and ultimate triumph.
Reb Benny’s story takes us from Lodz to Shanghai to the executive suites of New York City skyscrapers – and to the hearts of countless Jews whom he helped with money, advice, and overflowing love. His wise counsel – and, indeed, his life – will show us how to appreciate the riches of our own lives. Learn More
From the frozen forests of the Soviet Union, under the murderous eyes of the KGB, came a man of miracles, of almost unbelievable mesiras nefesh...The Ribnitzer.
He was a tzaddik. A ba’al mofes, a miracle worker. In time, he became a living legend, the address for thousands seeking berachos, first in Russia, then in Eretz Yisrael and, eventually in America. His intense avodah included fasting, hours and hours of profound tefillah. And, of course, immersion in in the holy waters of the mikveh. Despite the Nazis, who occupied his town during World War Two. Despite the KGB, who was determined to snuff out Yiddishkeit. Despite the desperate cold of a Russian winter: Reb Chaim Zanvil, the Ribnitzer Rebbe, would find a way. A way to serve Hashem through immersion. Through traveling for hours and days, in order to secretly give a Jewish baby a bris in Stalinist Russia.
Yes, this is a story about miracles. But more: it’s the story of a man who was a miracle himself. Learn More
Where Ahavah and Emes Meet: A Life to Learn From“He lived and breathed kevod Shamayim and kevod habriyos and accomplished everything ... quietly, without fanfare.”—Rabbi Eytan Feiner
“So, doctor, my brother has an especially huge heart … right?” Rabbi Aaron Brafman’s brother, famed attorney Ben Brafman, said to a cardiologist after Rabbi Brafman’s heart surgery “Rabbi Brafman never chose to do what was easy for him. He loved his talmidim with all his heart and looked to do what was best for each one.” – a talmid’s memory
Rabbi Aaron Brafman was the much-beloved and revered menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. He was also a respected author and a dedicated askan. But more: He was a man who loved every Jew, who saw potential where others saw failure. In the words of a talmid, he was a man “who lived and breathed Klal Yisrael; whose days were filled with Torah and maasim tovim ... and most of all, who epitomized the term ‘rebbi.’”
This is the compelling story of a guide and teacher who blended greatness and modesty, piety and humor, a deep aversion to anything not “emes” with an amazing ability to see the good in all. As we read one unique story after another, we’ll see why talmidim adored him, friends revered him, and his entire community felt fortunate to have him in their midst. And we will discover what a difference a great rebbi can make. Learn More
Rav Chaim Kanievsky was the Sar HaTorah, master of every area of Torah knowledge and author of dozens of Torah works on topics ranging from the basic to the arcane. He was a fount of guidance, comfort, and blessing to tens of thousands. His diligence in Torah was legendary, yet he opened his home and his heart to all who sought him.But despite all the stories we have heard, there is so much more. And Rabbi Naftali Weinberger is the perfect person to give us the rest of the story.
Rabbi Weinberger has had a uniquely close relationship with Rav Chaim Kanievsky and his family for nearly thirty years — so much so that Rav Chaim authorized him to write the bestselling biography Rebbetzin Kanievsky.
His unparalleled access to Rav Chaim and his family enabled him to produce this fascinating biography, giving us an insider’s view of the Sar HaTorah’s remarkable life and achievements, including warm and personal stories heard directly from the family and rare photographs appearing in print for the very first time.
In these pages, we will come know the Torah aristocracy that was Rav Chaim’s family — the Chazon Ish, the Steipler, Rav Elyashiv, and others — from the family’s unique perspective. We will encounter the Torah giants and “simple” Jews who were part of Rav Chaim’s life, and see how he interacted with them.
The Prince of Torah gave our People so much in his lifetime, and through this extraordinary volume his memory and example will continue to inspire us. We will aspire to emulate his diligence and love for Torah, his shalom bayis, and the chinuch he instilled in his family. We will learn to care for and welcome every Jew. And we will see how a Torah giant who valued every moment of Torah study freely gave of his time for others. Learn More
In this posthumous memoir, based on extensive interviews and accompanied by hundreds of photos, Rebbetzin Shula Kazen tells of unimaginable hardship in the Soviet Union and the triumph of her life in America. Included are her over five decades in Cleveland, Ohio, where she built a strong Jewish community, prompting the Lubavitcher Rebbe to dub her “Queen of the City.”592 pages, color, 309 photos and documents Learn More
With Rebbe Nachman as the master and Reb Noson as the disciple, still, we need a modern-day example of a follower and example of someone who actually lives by the Rebbe’s teachings.Enter Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld. A scion of Breslov lineage and an amazing example of someone whose every fiber and being was to live by and spread Rebbe Nachman’s light and teachings.
He was able to show how anyone can connect to and apply the Rebbe’s teachings, no matter what his background.
His endless care and love to his students, teaching them to share and do acts of kindness to others, leaves it’s mark even until today.
His self-sacrifice to get himself and others to reach Rebbe Nachman’s grave in Uman, Ukraine, has undoubtedly opened the door today for the tens of thousands who pilgrimage the Rebbe’s grave.
His fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Breslov community and institutions in the Holy Land have borne fruit, as is testimony to the flourishing community today.
His dedication and humbling himself before the Breslover elders taught and showed an example of what it means to have faith in the Tzaddikim.
And the list goes on and on.
Includes appendices with background information of family history along with Breslov biographies. Learn More
![Reb Dovid #1, Rav Meshulam Dovid HaLevi Soloveichik]()
Rabbi Shimon Yosef Meller, renowned author of The Brisker Rav and Reb Chaim BriskerSoloveichik dynasty. This is a portrait of the life and teachings of Rav Meshulam Dovid HaLevi, zt”l, son of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Ze’ev HaLevi Soloveichik, zt”l.The book depicts a gadol b’Yisrael whose integrity and brilliance earned him worldwide respect. It illustrates his diligence and greatness as an outstanding talmid chacham, an exemplar of dikduk halachah and yiras Shamayim, and a rosh yeshivah to thousands of talmidim.
Reading about the life of Reb Dovid will inspire you and transform you into a different person — one who aspires to a higher level of limud haTorah and avodas Hashem.
This sefer contains hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photos, illuminating the life and times of one of the exalted figures of Torah, whose loss is strongly felt — the last of the of the Brisker dynasty in our generation. Learn More
