Who Will Lead Us? : The Story of Five Hasidic Dynasties in America

Hasidism, a movement many believed had passed its golden age, has had an extraordinary revival since it was nearly decimated in the Holocaust and repressed in the Soviet Union. Hasidic communities, now settled primarily in North America and Israel, have reversed the losses they suffered and are growing exponentially. With powerful attachments to the past, mysticism, community, tradition, and charismatic leadership, Hasidism seems the opposite of contemporary Western culture, yet it has thrived in the democratic countries and culture of the West. How? Who Will Lead Us? finds the answers to this question in the fascinating story of five contemporary Hasidic dynasties and their handling of the delicate issue of leadership and succession. Revolving around the central figure of the rebbe, the book explores two dynasties with too few successors, two with too many successors, and one that believes their last rebbe continues to lead them even after his death. Samuel C. Heilman, recognized as a foremost expert on modern Jewish Orthodoxy, here provides outsiders with the essential guide to continuity in the Hasidic world. Hasidism, a movement many believed had passed its golden age, has had an extraordinary revival since it was nearly decimated in the Holocaust and repressed in the Soviet Union. Hasidic communities, now settled primarily in North America and Israel, have reversed the losses they suffered and are growing exponentially. With powerful attachments to the past, mysticism, community, tradition, and charismatic leadership, Hasidism seems the opposite of contemporary Western culture, yet it has thrived in the democratic countries and culture of the West. How? Who Will Lead Us? finds the answers to this question in the fascinating story of five contemporary Hasidic dynasties and their handling of the delicate issue of leadership and succession.
 
Revolving around the central figure of the rebbe, the book explores two dynasties with too few successors, two with too many successors, and one that believes their last rebbe continues to lead them even after his death. Samuel C. Heilman, recognized as a foremost expert on modern Jewish Orthodoxy, here provides outsiders with the essential guide to continuity in the Hasidic world. Hasidism, A Movement Many Believed Had Passed Its Golden Age, Has Had An Extraordinary Revival Since Its Near Decimation In The Holocaust And Soviet Communism. These Hasidim, Now Settled Primarily In North America And Israel Have Reversed The Losses They Suffered And Rebuilt Their Communities. The Once Unimaginable Is Today Routine. Hasidism Is Alive And Growing. How? Who Will Lead Us? Is The Story Of Five Contemporary Hasidic Dynasties And How They Have Handled The Delicate Issue Of Leadership And Succession. It Explores Two Groups With Too Few Successors, Two With Too Many Successors, And One That Claims There Is No Need For A Successor, As They Claim Their Leader Never Died--provided By Publisher. Succession In Contemporary Hasidism : Who Will Lead Us? -- Munkács : A Oedipal Challenge -- Boyan And Kopyczynitz : Running Out Of Rebbes -- Bobov : A Clash Of Families -- Satmar : Succession Charged With Conflict -- Chabad Lubavitch : A Rebbe Who Never Dies -- Final Thoughts. Samuel C. Heilman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is an account of five contemporary Hasidic dynasties and their complex process of succession. Two dynasties – Munkács and Boyan – describe a situation with too few successors, two – Bobov and Satmar – with too many, and one – Lubavitch – where the Hasidim deny a need for a successor at all claiming their last leader never really died. Each of these stories offers a narrative of continuity, of transformation in a group at once mysterious and yet transparent that seeks permanence in a modern world seemingly inimical to it. These are stories of the making and unmaking of men, a search for charisma and struggles for power, of families united and divided, of death and resurrection as well as hopes raised and dashed. They answer the eternal question of Hasidism: Who will lead us? Cover 1 Contents 10 List of Illustrations 12 Prologue 14 1 Succession in Contemporary Hasidism: Who Will Lead Us? 20 2 Munkács: An Oedipal Challenge 45 3 Boyan and Kopyczynitz: Running Out of Rebbes 88 4 Bobov: A Clash of Families 115 5 Satmar: Succession Charged with Conflict 171 6 ChaBaD Lubavitch: A Rebbe Who Never Dies 229 Final Thoughts 275 Notes 290 Index 330 A 330 B 330 C 331 D 331 E 332 F 332 G 332 H 332 I 333 J 333 K 333 L 333 M 334 N 334 O 334 P 334 R 335 S 335 T 336 U 336 V 336 W 336 Y 336 Z 337 List of Illustrations xi Prologue xiii 1 Succession in Contemporary Hasidism: Who Will Lead Us? 1 2 Munkács: An Oedipal Challenge 26 3 Boyan and Kopyczynitz: Running Out of Rebbes 69 4 Bobov: A Clash of Families 96 5 Satmar: Succession Charged with Confl ict 152 6 ChaBaD Lubavitch: A Rebbe Who Never Dies 210 Final Thoughts 256 Notes 271 Index 311