REMEMBERING MENUCHA ROCHEL DESCENDANT RABBI SHMUEL ELAZAR HALPERIN

March 09, 2009

In 1982, Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Halperin OBM initiated the annual pilgrimage to the ancient Chabad cemetery in Hevron, to pray at the resting place of his ancestress Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel, on her Yartzeit, the 24th of Shvat.

Rabbi Halperin was an honorable Chosid and Chairman of the Society of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe. This year was the first year since 1982 that he was not able to come to Hevron on the Yartzeit. He passed away a few weeks hence.

The annual pilgrimage has gone through many stages in the last twenty seven years. At first Rabbi Halperin worked together with Professor Travgar to clean and restore the cemetery grounds. In the early years very few descendants ventured to Hevron. As confidence in the project grew - so did the attendance.

When the Cohen family established Chabad of Hevron in 2002 the gatherings of the 24th of Shvat took on an extra dimension as individuals and groups, who are not descendants, also began to flock to the graveside of Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel. Renovations in the buildings at the site made the excursion more comfortable for everyone. Twice on the Yartzeit, Torah Scrolls have been dedicated. Each year a grand banquet is held at the Gutnick Center near Maaras HaMachpela for all the Rebbetzin's 'guests.'

Even at his late age, Rabbi Halperin would work together with Rabbi Cohen to maintain the original atmosphere of the event.

This year busses from different parts of the country brought hundreds of people to Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel on her Yartzeit.

Chabad of Hevron is honored to have been able to work closely with Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Halperin and we are committed to dedicate ourselves to continue encouraging and accommodating the descendants of the Alter Rebbe when they gather in Hevron on the Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel.

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