As part of the world-encompassing charitable activities of our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), the Rav donated massive sums toward the construction of the Breslov Synagogue in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem • About the Breslov Minyan in Ramot and the Breslov Synagogue

The Ramot neighborhood in Jerusalem is a beautiful story in its own right.

Initially, the neighborhood was built as a completely secular area adjacent to Jerusalem, with the intention of preventing the continued "Haredization" (increase of the ultra-Orthodox population) of the Holy City.

This was the case when the neighborhoods of Ramot Aleph and Bet, as well as the additional sections, were built.

And then came Ramot Polin.

The neighborhood was designed by an architect who wanted to create something unique, so the apartment blocks were designed in the style of an egg carton. However, this strange plan did not appeal to the secular public who were supposed to buy the apartments, and the marketing failed.

Left with no choice, they tried to market the apartments to other audiences, and a group of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) originally from Poland decided to buy the homes there. Thus, the neighborhood's name was changed to "Ramot Polin."

The Haredi residents brought more neighborhoods toward religious growth in their wake, and today, most of the neighborhoods in Ramot are fully Haredi neighborhoods.

Several Breslov Chassidim also arrived in the area, and over time, they established their own minyan (prayer quorum) in the neighborhood. For years, the minyan was held in bomb shelters and various locations, and the need for a permanent building was felt. Among the residents in the neighborhood was Rabbi Avraham Weitzenhandler zt"l (of blessed memory).

The Breslov Synagogue

Before we focus on the large synagogue that stands in glory in the Ramot neighborhood, named after our holy Rebbe Nachman, which Reb Avraham built with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), let us return to the days of the minyan's founding. As mentioned, the minyan initially took place inside a bomb shelter, where important people also came to deliver shiurim (Torah lessons). After several years, the decision was made that something large and magnificent needed to be built in honor of our holy Rebbe.

Especially remembered is the figure of the Chassidic Rabbi, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Shapiro zt"l, brother of the Tzaddik Rabbi Shmuel Shapiro zt"l, who would trek on foot specifically to the Ramot neighborhood.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib was a Jew who did not keep his goodness to himself. He would travel from place to place to deliver more and more lessons in the books of Rebbe Nachman, both in nearby and distant locations. He had a special practice of giving lessons in every synagogue named after Rebbe Nachman, and he even traveled abroad to places like France, Belgium, and more.

His sons related that on his travels, he would mainly take holy books with him—all the heavy volumes of Likutey Halachos and other books necessary for his study, such as the Shas (Talmud) and more, he would carry with him. "Do you think there are no books there? Why do you need to carry so many?" they would ask him.

Every Shabbos (Sabbath), he would walk from his home to distant neighborhoods, whether Givat Shaul or Katamon, to deliver lessons there in the books of Rebbe Nachman. Wherever there was a Breslov synagogue, he did not hold himself back from exerting the effort to go there and radiate the light of Rebbe Nachman. One of the places he would visit despite his age was the synagogue in the Ramot neighborhood, and thus he influenced the residents of the neighborhood with his splendor.

Our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a said of Reb Aryeh Leib that he was a hidden tzaddik (righteous person).

"And the House in its Building"

Despite not having funds in his hand, Reb Avraham was not deterred and took upon himself the mission to establish a center for Rebbe Nachman's cause in the Ramot neighborhood. It took him several years to establish the building; the matter cost him "blood" (great effort and money) in both senses of the word. After his passing, his sons, may they live, fulfilled his will and finished the construction of the interior of the great sanctuary, memorializing their father's name upon the synagogue, and the place today serves as a "Tel Talpiyot" (a focal point for prayer and study). Additionally, there is another Torah hall there called "Heichal Elazar," named after his father, Reb Elazar zt"l.

One who contributed very large sums of money in secret for the construction of the synagogue is Rabbi Berland shlit"a. Reb Avraham knew Rabbi Berland since his years of study in the Breslov Yeshiva, and Rabbi Berland also helped him greatly in spreading the books of Rebbe Nachman.

In the synagogue he established, one could hear wonderful words when he studied Rebbe Nachman's teachings in public, as well as witness his sublime character traits. Although he could have taught everything himself—and the public was indeed waiting to hear him—he would also try to honor others from the community to speak words of Torah during Seudah Shlishis (the third Sabbath meal) and the like; only when there was no one else would he lecture before the masses. The radiance of his face was unique. There was always a beautiful Chiddush (new Torah insight) or a sharp point based on the teachings of our holy Rebbe on his lips.

A Few of His Sayings

He once said in a sermon that one who merits to engage with Likutey Tefillos (the collected prayers of Reb Noson), merits to pray for things that, without this book, would never have occurred to a person to pray for. "Who thinks they need to pray to Hashem to be saved from forbidden foods? Is this a trial for us that we should pray for it? On the other hand, how many obstacles can there be with insects in food or other prohibitions?"

He would frequently encourage the trait of Simcha (joy). His son relates: "My father zt"l once said to me: 'I don't understand why during the Nine Days (the mourning period for the Temple), no one is ashamed of looking sad or not having showered—since that is the time for it. Yet, when seeing people walking around and dancing with joy—at least from when the month of Adar begins—people are ashamed?!'"

After his sudden passing, his son took upon himself the burden of the remaining payments for the purchase and construction of the synagogue, and the synagogue serves the Breslov Chassidim every single day and every Shabbos and holiday.