Monsey Memories: When the Rebbes Vacationed in Spring Valley

Yitzy Fried 

As we have noted here in the past, Spring Valley used to be a vacation area, with numerous hotels that would welcome visitors from the sweltering city. They would arrive mostly by train to Spring Valley. But, as cars became more popular, the vacation industry of the area went down—because people had other options for vacation. 

As the summer draws to a close, we feature a glimpse into that bygone time, through the accompanying image where we see three Rebbe’s from the postwar era who came to Spring Valley for vacation. 

Sitting in the photo is Rav Mendele Chodorov, the Rebbe of Tolna-Viznitz: 

He was born to Rebbe Mordechai of Tolna-Viznitz. He was a descendant of the Admorim of Viznitz, Tolna, Ruzhin, Kosov, and Chernobyl. He served as the Rov of Chernovitz, in Bukovina, for two years and later came to the Bronx, where he served as the Tolna-Viznitzer Rebbe following the passing of his father. He was extremely active in Agudas Ha’admorim and Agudas Harabonim, and was involved in Agudas Yisroel of America. 

Standing at left is the Gvodzitzer Rebbe, Rav Duvid Moshe Shapira:  

Rav Dovid Moshe was a rebbe in the Bronx for many years. He relocated to Boro Park in 1969. He kept a close relationship with many Rabbonim and Admorim, specifically those from the Ruziner dynasty. His shul attracted many of the she’eris hapleitah who lived in Boro Park in those days, and he was known for his unique caliber of Torah, Chassidus, and middos tovos. He was niftar in 1988, at which time his son, Rav Yitzchok Mordechai took over the leadership of the shul. 

Standing at right is Rav Chaim Yehuda Meir Hager, Vishiver Rov: 

He was the son of Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Visheve, a son of the Ahavas Yisroel, and Rav Chaim Yehuda Meir was a student of his grandfather. He was a great talmid chacham, and he served as the Vishiver Rebbe after the war. In the 1960’s, he relocated to Eretz Yisroel, where he lived until his passing in 1969.

As Yidden throughout the Tri-State area return home from their vacation areas, they continue a tradition of many decades, including the Admorim of New York of yesteryear.