The thousands of Gur Hasidim in Israel and abroad have a new rebbe. On the seventh day after the death of Rabbi Israel Alter at the age of 82, his brother, Rabbi Simha Bunim, was today appointed at a dramatic acclamation ceremony in Jerusalem. The move for the appointment began last night when a delegation of 10 leading Hasidim urged Bunim to take over. Bunim, 80, said in good health, reluctantly agreed, but stressed that he Hasidim who, he knew, were as shattered as he by the death of Alter.
This morning, the “beit midrash” was full of htou7sands of worshippers, many of whom had flown in specially from abroad during thee week of mourning. After the service Bunim gave out cake and wine to all present and they drank “lehaim”-the Hasidic tradition on the last day of the “shiva”.
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