The Legacy of 'Beit Yisrael': A Leader Reborn After the Holocaust

1. Rabbi Yisrael Alter, known for his influential book 'Beit Yisrael', was born in Poland on October 24, 1894, as the third son of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter. By age ten, he studied under his grandfather, Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, and was recognized as a prodigy.

2. During the Holocaust, he miraculously escaped, fleeing with his father from Poland to Israel.

3. His wife and two children perished in the Holocaust, as did most of the Hasidim residing in Poland. Triumphantly, the Rebbe remarried to Perl, the daughter of Rabbi David Weinfeld, although they had no children together.

4. After the war, he revitalized the Hasidic community, expanding its influence and guiding its path. Rabbi Yisrael gathered Gur Hasidim who lived in Israel before World War II and Holocaust survivors, working to reconnect those who, or whose parents, had left the community.

5. 'Beit Yisrael' was integral in revitalizing the Orthodox Jewish society post-Holocaust, especially in establishing public norms concerning modesty, gender separation, and resisting mainstream culture. His impact extended far beyond the Gur community. Many were drawn to his charismatic and inspiring personality, including numerous young people from various sectors who became his enthusiastic followers.

6. His public activities were primarily under the 'Agudath Israel' movement. He placed high importance on education, collaborating with other Orthodox leaders to establish and support an independent Orthodox school system. He also founded the daily newspaper 'HaModia' and put significant effort into securing its financial stability.

7. In addition to his role as a Rebbe and leader of the Gur Hasidic sect, he served as the chairman of the Council of Torah Sages. Within this capacity, he significantly influenced the operation and direction of the 'Agudath Israel' movement, founded by his father, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, known as the 'Imrei Emes'. He also initiated, aided, and encouraged the re-establishment of Rebbes' courts from all Hasidic communities that were decimated during the war years.

8. His character as a Rebbe is described in the 'Encyclopedia of Gur Hasidism': 'With wisdom and insight, he navigated his interactions with everyone: wisdom for the wise, wealth for the wealthy, trade for the merchant, illness for the sick, and scholarship for the scholar. His unique personality was rare and remarkable. Meeting him was an experience. His penetrating gaze was impressive... One word from your mouth, and the Rebbe already knew what it was about, responding sharply, succinctly, and wisely... It is noteworthy to mention his phenomenal memory... Any person Rabbi Yisrael saw even once, he remembered their name and deeds...'.

9. The Rebbe passed away on February 20, 1977, and was buried on the Mount of Olives. After his passing, his brother, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Alter, known as 'Lev Simcha', succeeded him as the Rebbe.

10. After his death, five volumes of his book 'Beit Yisrael' were published posthumously.