Plans for the historic bar mitzvah of the oldest grandson of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe have undergone a last-minute change, with the originally scheduled venue at the large Karlin-Stolin Bais Medrash in Givat Ze’ev canceled following pressure from extremist elements.

The major simcha is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 11 Elul, during the week of Parshas Ki Savo. The bar mitzvah boy is the oldest grandson of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe and a son of the Rebbe’s son-in-law, Rav Shmuel Abba Twersky.

The occasion is particularly significant for Rachmastrivka, as it will mark the first bar mitzvah among the Rebbe’s descendants. The Rebbe has two daughters, who are married to Rav Shmuel Abba Twersky and Rav Dovid Yitzchok Yaakov Biderman, and this will be the first time that one of his grandchildren reaches the age of bar mitzvah.

With thousands of chassidim and admirers expected to arrive from across Eretz Yisroel and abroad, Rachmastrivka askanim had been searching for a large venue capable of accommodating the anticipated crowds.

After considerable effort, arrangements were finalized to hold the simcha in the expansive main bais medrash of Karlin-Stolin in Givat Ze’ev.

The decision generated considerable attention in the chassidishe community, particularly because of opposition from extremist groups to holding the event at the Givat Ze’ev location. In the past, the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe held two weddings for his descendants at the same venue despite significant pressure from those elements.

Now, however, the pressure has apparently succeeded. Organizers were forced to cancel plans to use the Karlin-Stolin complex and are working urgently to secure an alternative location ahead of the major event.

According to current plans, the historic bar mitzvah will likely be held in a massive tent to be erected near the Slonim Bais Medrash in Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}