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“lubawitscher Rabbi” Greeted Reverently in Philadelphia

December 17, 1929
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A reverent crowd of more than a thousand Jews welcomed Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schnuersohn, the “Lubawitscher Rabbi,” who has been exiled from Russia, on his arrival here, with the cry “blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” While a milling throng struggled to touch the hem of the garments of the lineal descendant of the Chasidic rabbis, police and the welcoming committee strove to escort him to Independence Hall, where the proscribed leader of Russian Jewry had expressed a wish to visit as the birthplace of American liberty. While guards with difficulty held back the huge crowd, the Rabbi reverently placed a wreath on the Liberty Bell and was then escorted to a specially prepared home for him and his retinue.

Many of the rabbis of the city were among the welcoming delegation. Rabbi B. L. Levinthal, dean of the Jewish spiritual leaders of the city and honorary chairman of the committee, Nathan Faggen, chairman of the committee, and Martin O. Levy, grand secretary of the Independent Order of Brith Shalom, headed the delegation.

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