A scion of the Worka dynasty who served as a Rebbe of chassidim back in the prewar days, the Amshinover Rebbe, Rav Shimon Sholom Kalisch, came to Boro Park in the late 1940’s following a harrowing and difficult escape from war-torn Europe through Shanghai. 

Amshinov 

The Rebbe was born in the Polish city of Amshinov in the year 1882. His father was Rav Menachem Kalish, who was the son of Rav Yaakov Dovid Kalisch, the first Amshimover Rebbe who was the son of Rebbe Yitzchok of Worka. His mother was Rebbetzin Esther Golda Kalisch. 

From his early years, he was seen toiling in Torah and avodah with great intensity, and was known for his ahavas Hashem and ahavas Yisroel. The writer Dovid Halachmi would later write of the pride that his illustrious father had in his son, Shimon Sholom, and the esteem in which he was held from an early age. “He would circulate among the chassidim in the court, launching into conversations with them—many of them brokenhearted individuals—and thus getting to the core of their hearts. His first question to them would always be, ‘have you eaten something yet? How are you lodgings? Do you have adequate funds for your trip?’” 

The Rebbe married his cousin, Rebbetzin Feiga Brocho, the daughter of Rav Yeshayahu Kalisch of Peshischa. 

Shanghai 

In Shanghai, the Rebbe became a central figure. 

Recalled Reb Shimon Goldstein, a Lubavitcher bochur who spent the war years there: “The Rebbe’s home was open to all, and everyone felt at home. All the refugees would stream toward the home and feel as though they were in their own home. Just being there was a strengthening experience—imparting strength and inspiring the hope and faith that Hashem will ultimately save His People. 

“As for the Rebbe himself; I would never attempt to describe his incredible personality; it is simply indescribable. He was a man of Heaven who took upon himself in those difficult times to work without letup for the sake of the klal and for the wellbeing of every individual… 

“I had the privilege of being present at the Rebbe’s seder on Pesach night. I cannot recall the circumstances under which I was invited, but I can well recall the awesome atmosphere, the elevated feeling among all those present, and the long-lasting impression that it left upon myself and the others. 

“The Rebbe’s ahavas Yisroel was likewise extraordinary. We were living in a type of ghetto which the Japanese established after the American bombings in exceptionally-dire financial circumstances. One day an emissary of the Rebbe arrived with aid for the families, with precise instructions for how to distribute the aid. All of this was to be distributed without anyone knowing who their patron was, and in this way the Rebbe accomplished his objective.

“In 1942, reports began to filter in about the terrible atrocities being carried out against the Yidden of Poland. I was in the Rebbe’s surroundings when he heard about these reports. Anyone who has not seen the Rebbe’s pained expression, and heard his deep, heartbroken sighs upon hearing this cannot fathom the pain of a Yid.” 

Following the war, the Rebbe once again sought to go to up to Eretz Yisroel. Alas, its doors were still hermetically sealed under the British Mandate, and the Rebbe instead went to America. He settled in Williamsburg, and shortly thereafter in Boro Park. 

Upon his passing, the holy aron of the Rebbe was flown to Eretz Yisroel where he was escorted to his final resting place by a crowd of thousands, from all communities and denominations led by Admorim and Rabbonim. 

The Amshinover Rebbe was interred on the old cemetery in Teveria following a lifetime dedicated to Hashem and to his fellow Yidden.