Bobov (Hasidic dynasty)

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Galician Hasidic dynasty of the Halberstam family, headquartered in Borough Park, Brooklyn; divided since 2005 into Bobov and Bobov-45

Hasidic dynasties
Overview

Hasidic dynasties | Haredi and Hasidic groups in the US | Chabad-Lubavitch movement

Dynasties

Belz | Biala | Bobov | Boyan | Breslov | Chabad-Lubavitch | Chernobyl | Dushinsky | Ger | Karlin-Stolin | Lelov | Munkacs | Nadvorna | Pupa | Rachmastrivka | Sadigura | Sanz-Klausenburg | Sassov | Satmar | Shomer Emunim | Skver | Slonim | Spinka | Toldos Aharon | Toldos Avraham Yitzchak | Tosh | Vizhnitz

Founders and early masters

Baal Shem Tov | Dov Ber of Mezeritch | Elimelech of Lizhensk | Shneur Zalman of Liadi | Nachman of Breslov | Moshe Leib of Sassov

Present-day rebbes

Aaron Teitelbaum | Zalman Teitelbaum | Yissachar Dov Rokeach | Yaakov Aryeh Alter | Yisroel Hager | Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam | David Twersky | Boruch Meir Yaakov Shochet

20th-century rebbes

Joel Teitelbaum | Aharon Rokeach | Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Politics and communal bodies

Agudat Yisrael | United Torah Judaism | Degel HaTorah | Edah HaChareidis | Neturei Karta | Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations

Places

Uman | Stamford Hill | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | Kiryas Joel, New York | Bnei Brak | Beitar Illit | Modi'in Illit

United Kingdom

Satmar institutions in the UK | Belz Communities | Satmar Kolel

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Bobov
Founded 1892 Bobowa (Bobov), Galicia (now Poland)
Founder Shlomo Halberstam (1847–1905)
Leader Rebbe Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam (Bobov); Mordechai Dovid Unger (Bobov-45)
Headquarters 48th Street, Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York
Type Hasidic dynasty (Sanz line)
Notes

Bobov (or Bobover Hasidism; Yiddish: באָבאָוו) is a Hasidic dynasty of the Halberstam family, a branch of the Sanz dynasty. It takes its name from the town of Bobowa in western Galicia, now in Poland.[2] After the Holocaust it was rebuilt in Borough Park, Brooklyn, by Shlomo Halberstam (1907–2000), and the Encyclopaedia Judaica counts it as one of the three largest Hasidic groups at the time of his death.[2][3] Since a succession dispute in 2005 there have been two courts: Bobov, led by Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam, and Bobov-45, led by Mordechai Dovid Unger.[4]

The London property family of Benzion and Solomon Freshwater, owners of the Freshwater Group and descendants of the Bobov dynasty through their mother, have supported Bobov institutions in New York and, through the Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association and Mayfair Charities, Bobov charities in London.[5][6][7] See Freshwater family.

History

Galicia

The founder, Shlomo Halberstam (1847–1905), was a grandson of Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. Born in Tarnobrzeg-Dzików and orphaned at eight, he grew up at his grandfather's court and served as rabbi in several Galician towns, including Bukowsko and Oświęcim. In 1880 he moved to Wiśnicz Nowy, where he took on the life of a Hasidic rebbe, and in 1888 he founded what YIVO calls the first Hasidic yeshiva, against Sanz tradition. He was active in the Machzikei HaDas organisation and in the struggle against modernism and Zionism. In 1892 he settled in Bobowa, which gave the dynasty its name.[2]

His only son, Ben Zion Halberstam (1874–1941), succeeded him as rebbe and head of the yeshiva. Between the world wars he founded a network of yeshivas in Poland known as Etz Chaim: about 50 according to YIVO, and 60 according to the Encyclopaedia Judaica.[2][3] From 1932 he lived in Trzebinia. When the war broke out he fled to Lwów, where he was killed in July 1941.[2] The Five Towns Jewish Times reports that he was taken by Ukrainian collaborators on 25 July 1941 and shot with about 4,000 other Jews in the Janów forest on 28 July 1941.[8] Two of his sons, two sons-in-law and his daughters were also killed in the Holocaust.[3]

Rebuilding in New York

Shlomo Halberstam escaped through Italy and reached the United States in 1946.[2][3] He settled first in Manhattan, then in Crown Heights and from 1967 in Borough Park.[2][3] According to the Encyclopaedia Judaica, only 300 Bobover Hasidim were left at the end of the war. He obtained visas for them and for hundreds of orphans from Italian transit camps, opened a trade school in Manhattan, and built a school network reaching Toronto, London, Antwerp and Israel, with about 7,000 pupils in America. The community grew to well over 20,000 Hasidim.[3]

His son Naftali Tzvi Halberstam (1931–2005) became rebbe in 2000. The New York Times described Bobov at his death as one of Brooklyn's largest Hasidic groups, with 1,800 to 2,000 families, and with communities in Canada, England and Israel.[9]

Rebbe Lifespan Led Notes
Shlomo Halberstam 1847–1905 1880–1905 Founder; took on the life of a rebbe in 1880 and settled in Bobowa in 1892
Ben Zion Halberstam 1874–1941 1905–1941 Killed in Lwów, July 1941
Shlomo Halberstam 1907–2000 1941–2000 Rebuilt the dynasty in New York
Naftali Tzvi Halberstam 1931–2005 2000–2005 Died 23 March 2005
Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam born 1955[10] 2005– Bobov (48th Street); half-brother of Naftali Tzvi Halberstam
Mordechai Dovid Unger born 1954[11] 2005– Bobov-45; son-in-law of Naftali Tzvi Halberstam

Sources for the table: YIVO;[2] Five Towns Jewish Times;[8] New York Times;[9][12] JCR-UK;[4] Library of Congress name authorities.[10][11]

Yehoshua Rubin, the elder son-in-law of Naftali Tzvi Halberstam, is the rav of Bobov-45, serving as head of its rabbinical court and as its posek (authority on Jewish law).[13] Yaakov Yisroel Meisels is rav of Kiryat Bobov in Bat Yam (see Israel).[8] In London, Benzion Blum is a trustee of Friends of the Bobover Yeshivah.[14]

Succession dispute

Naftali Tzvi Halberstam died on Wednesday 23 March 2005, the day before Purim, leaving no sons. His younger half-brother Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam and his son-in-law Mordechai Dovid Unger each claimed to be his successor. The New York Times reported that on the morning after the funeral punches were thrown between the two camps in the main Bobover synagogue on 15th Avenue in Borough Park, which it called the headquarters of the world's 20,000 or so Bobover Hasidim.[9][12]

The two sides became known as Bobov-48 and Bobov-45 after the streets in Borough Park where their institutions are concentrated.[13] JCR-UK explains that the suffix refers to the Bobov-45 headquarters on 45th Street; the main Bobov court is on 48th Street.[4] For the litigation and arbitration see Civil cases.

Civil cases

New York Supreme Court and rabbinical arbitration, 2005–2014

Unger and Rubin, represented by the lawyer Nathan Lewin, brought a case in the New York Supreme Court before Justice Herbert Kramer. Lewin said that he was instrumental in moving the case to a beth din (rabbinical court). Instead of the usual three judges, the two party-appointed dayanim chose three more with the litigants' consent, making a court of five, one of whom lived in Manchester. By March 2012 the arbitration had lasted nearly seven years. Mendel Epstein, a Brooklyn rabbinical-court advocate, told the Jewish Press that it concerned "hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate" and would affect thousands of families.[13]

The ruling, published in August 2014, gave Ben Zion Halberstam the sole right to the name Bobov; Unger's side had 90 days to adopt a name with an added identifier. The buildings and community assets stayed with Halberstam's side, which was to pay Unger's side $6.2 million in quarterly instalments of $310,000.[15] Behadrei Haredim reported that the payments were spread over five years; that every Bobov-45 institution had to add the number 45 (or a place name such as Sanz) to the name Bobov on its signs, publications and logo; and that Unger's side was barred from the names of the community's institutions, among them Kahal Shaarei Zion, Bnei Zion, the Bnos Zion girls' school, Yeshiva Etz Chaim, Yeshivat Kerem Shlomo and Camp Gila, and from the girls' school uniform.[16] Samuel Heilman puts the cost of the arbitration at about $8 million.[17] Rights to the published teachings were divided: Halberstam's side received those of Shlomo Halberstam and Unger's side those of Naftali Tzvi Halberstam.[15] In November 2014, at a gathering in a Marriott hotel in New York, Unger told his followers that he accepted the ruling and that the court would be known as Bobov-45.[18]


Bobov-45

In June 2024 Mishpacha reported that Mordechai Dovid Unger was overseeing building projects worth over $170 million. These included a new Talmud Torah, mesivta and mechina buildings, several buildings in Union, New Jersey, where many young families had moved, and a large synagogue in Borough Park. Nearly 4,000 pupils attended the court's institutions in Borough Park alone.[19]

In February 2019 The Yeshiva World reported the rededication of a 150,000-square-foot building bought for the Bobov-45 girls' school, which had nearly 2,000 pupils. The purchase was made possible by a donation from Benzion Dunner, and the $14 million renovation was paid for by members of the community, led by Leibish Scharf. The project was managed by the Bobov-45 leadership "with the generous backing and support" of the brothers Shlomo and Benzion Freshwater of London, whom the report called "descendants of the Bobov dynasty".[6] See Freshwater family.

Main court institutions

Samuel Heilman's account of the 2014 award lists the principal pre-split assets that stayed with Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam: the New and Old Beis Medrash; yeshiva buildings on 48th and 42nd Streets; mesivta buildings; Bnos Zion buildings; Kerem Shlomo; a mesivta camp in the Poconos; Camps Shalva, Kerem Shlomo and Gila; and the corporate names Kehal Shaarei Zion, Yeshivah Bnei Zion, Bnos Zion, Mesivta Eitz Chaim, Kollel Zichron Chaim and Ameidei Zion.[17] The institution names barred to Bobov-45 by the ruling are listed under Civil cases.[16] The IRS lists Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion and Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov at 1577 48th Street, United Bobov International at 1575 48th Street and Amidei Zion of Bobov at 1533 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219.[20]


Israel

According to the Five Towns Jewish Times, Shlomo Halberstam first visited Israel in 1959, when he established Kiryat Bobov in Bat Yam and Yeshiva Kedushas Zion. There are further Bobover synagogues and yeshivas in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Elad. Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam founded Yeshiva Eitz Chaim in Bnei Brak, whose new building on Rechov Ezra was dedicated during his two-week visit to Israel in February 2015. Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Meisels, his brother-in-law, is rav of Kiryat Bobov.[8] The Kedushat Tzion – Bobov institutions are registered at 12 Kiryat Bobov Street, Bat Yam, under Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Yeshurun Meisels, with Israeli company number 580045771. They cover yeshivas, a Talmud Torah, kollels and girls' schools.[21]

The Encyclopaedia Judaica states: "The Israeli branch pursues a non-confrontational but non-Zionist stance vis-à-vis the Israeli government. Their sons do not serve in the IDF."[3] In December 2020 Israel Hayom quoted Ben Barber, a public activist and member of the Bobov community, who said that relations between Haredim and IDF soldiers deployed in Bnei Brak to enforce COVID-19 lockdowns had improved because of direct contact.[22]

Registered associations

Bobov associations (amutot) on the Israeli Registrar of Associations include the following.[23]

Israeli associations with Bobov in their names or objects
Association Number Registered Address Latest reported income (₪)
Mosdos Bobov Kedushat Zion 580045771 13 December 1983 12 HaAdmor MiBobov Street, Bat Yam 7,463,548 (2024)
Ezer LeDiur D'Chasidei Bobov 580241198 21 April 1994 12 HaAdmor MiBobov Street, Bat Yam
Kollel Scharf – Emek Halacha D'Bobov 580175164 23 September 1990 12 HaAdmor MiBobov Street, Bat Yam 989,107 (2025)
Kupat Yoshia Zion D'Bobov 580523611 24 February 2010 6 HaAdmor MiBobov Street, Bat Yam 96,340 (2022)
Zichron Shlomo D'Bobov 580511145 28 June 2009 50 HaRav Yitzhak Nissenbaum Street, Bat Yam
Mosdos Ahavat Shlomo Kehillat Bobov 580420917 1 February 2004 9 HaRav Tzvi Yehuda Street, Bat Yam
Amutat Chasidei Bobov 580056547 9 November 1983 18 Chazon Ish Street, Bnei Brak 2,981,476 (2024)
Kahal Bobov 45 Bnei Brak 580639979 3 April 2017 28 Yona HaNavi Street, Bnei Brak 398,395 (2020)
Mosdos Kehillat Chasidei Bobov Tzafon Bnei Brak 580744563 29 May 2022 3 Baruch Ben Neria Street, Bnei Brak
Ezer Nisuin, Yeshivat Bobov Bnei Brak 580629905 15 August 2016 53 Ezra Street, Bnei Brak 337,614 (2021)
Beit Knesset Bobov Elad 580615334 8 October 2015 74 Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi Street, Elad 127,933 (2018)
Kahal Shaarei Zion Beit Shemesh 580768380 6 June 2023 10 HaNavi Ovadia Street, Beit Shemesh 536,863 (2024)
Bobov Beitar 580762805 3 March 2023 13 Ohev Yisrael Street, Beitar Illit
Talmud Torah Ohalei David – Jerusalem (Ottoman-law association: Mosdos Chasidei Bobov Jerusalem) 580059020 4 April 1984 7 Chaggai Street, Jerusalem 9,606,968 (2025)
Merkaz Torani Chinuchi D'Chasidei Bobov 580515617 17 September 2009 29 Yechezkel Street, Jerusalem 11,920,052 (2024)
Kahal Bobov-45 Jerusalem 580660470 22 March 2018 24/13 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem

The objects of the Jerusalem association 580059020 are "to unite the Bobov Hasidim in Jerusalem as a centre for Torah and assistance" and to run educational institutions.[23] Tzvi Rabinowicz also lists a Bobov community in Ashdod.[24] In June 2013 Behadrei Haredim described Rabbi Chanoch Segal of Bnei Brak as head of the Bobov congregation in Israel.[25]

Beitar Illit

Bobov Beitar, registered on 3 March 2023 at 13 Ohev Yisrael Street, Beitar Illit, has as its objects a synagogue, support for the needy, youth activities and a kollel.[23] Tzvi Rabinowicz records Bobov families among the Haredi groups that settled the town.[24] The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) says Beitar Illit was set up in 1985 on Palestinian-owned land from the villages of Husan (3,430 dunums), Nahhalin (688 dunums) and Wadi Fukin (567 dunums).[26] In its advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice found that Israel's transfer of settlers to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and its maintenance of their presence there, is contrary to the sixth paragraph of article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.[27]

United States and Canada

The world centre of both courts is Borough Park: the main court's institutions are on and around 48th Street and 15th Avenue, and Bobov-45 is named after its base on 45th Street.[4][13] Samuel Heilman writes that Bobov-45 gathered first on 45th Street and later at 1362 49th Street,[17] which is the address the IRS holds for Chevra Kadisha of Bobov 45.[20] Organisations with Bobov in their names are also registered in Williamsburg, Monsey and Spring Valley in Rockland County, and a congregation named for Staten Island.[20] Mishpacha reports Bobov-45 buildings in Union, New Jersey.[19] The Encyclopaedia Judaica records Bobov schools in Toronto.[3]

US tax-exempt organisations with Bobov in their names (IRS Business Master File, New York extract, October 2026; all 501(c)(3))
Organisation EIN Address on IRS file IRS ruling Notes
Cong Talmud Torah D Chasidei Bobov of Monsey 02-0607850 49 South Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 August 2002
Bobover Yeshivah Bnei Zion 11-1753991 4206 15th Avenue #10, Brooklyn, NY 11219 May 1951
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion 11-2202774 1577 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 August 1996
Bnos Zion of Bobov Inc 11-2288765 5000 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 February 1975
Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov 11-2428571 1577 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 July 1977
Chevra Kadisha of Bobov 11-2443177 4907 1st Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 December 1977
Gemilas Chesed Zichron Zvi D Bobov 11-2446003 1525 50th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 March 1978
Pesha Elias Bikur Cholim D'Bobov Inc 11-2513453 5014 16th Avenue, No. 296, Brooklyn, NY 11204 July 1981
Amidei Zion of Bobov 11-2575751 1533 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 December 1981
United Bobov International 11-2589111 1575 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 January 1982
Congregation Kahl Chasidei Bobov 11-3078760 4702 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 August 1993
Cong Gemach Keren Chasanim D'Bobov 11-3393892 1256 49th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 November 1997
Congregation Kochev Yitzchok D Bobov 13-3804491 81 Blauvelt Road, Monsey, NY 10952 May 1995
Congregation Chasidei Bobov of Monsey 20-4984751 18 Jill Lane, Monsey, NY 10952 January 2008
Congregation Bobover Yeshiva of Monsey 20-5235607 230 Viola Road, Monsey, NY 10952 January 2018
Nshei Bobov 26-2569976 4803 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 June 2010
Yad Ezra D'Bobov-45 33-2293948 1524 44th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 June 2025
Ichud Mosdos Bobov 45 33-3143074 1274 49th Street, Unit 600, Brooklyn, NY 11219 March 2025
Cong Keren Ohr Chaim D Bobov 37-1621259 1613 52nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 March 2012
Talmudical Seminary of Bobov 38-3726543 5120 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 March 2006
Congregation Bobov Community of Rockland County 46-3217482 PO Box 709, Monsey, NY 10952 August 2014
Friends of Bobov Toronto 46-3308535 c/o Leser, 1882 53rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 September 2014 Assets $105,722 and revenue $146,034 (tax period to December 2024)[20]; supports Bobov institutions in Toronto[28]
Congregation Bobov Williamsburg 46-4657762 92 Penn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 September 2014
Congregation Bnos Zion of Bobov Monsey 47-3965968 PO Box 383, Monsey, NY 10952 January 2016
Yeshiva Ketana of Bobov 45 47-5018408 1264 49th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 October 2015
Congregation Ahavas Chesed D Bobov 51-0141823 1652 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 July 1975
Kollel Avreichim D Chasidei Bobov 76-0832435 PO Box 190676, Brooklyn, NY 11219 June 2018
Khal Bobov 45 Inc 81-0993704 1575 50th Street, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11219 January 2016
Machna Bobov 45 81-2862850 4616 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204 July 2016
Congregation Bobov 45 82-1954183 1666 47th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 July 2017
Congregation Bobov London Inc 83-4683775 5221 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204 April 2020
Chevra Kadisha of Bobov 45 84-3109913 1362 49th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 August 2021
Kollel Iyun Bobov45 84-4396225 5116 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 June 2020
Congregation Khal Shaarei Zion Bobov 85-4005332 4715 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 April 2021 [29]
YK Bobov 45 Inc 86-1333973 1274 49th Street, No. 495, Brooklyn, NY 11219 May 2025
Congregation Bobov of Staten Island 87-2433979 1447 45th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 November 2022
Keren Nisuein of Bobov Monsey 88-2585960 20 Jill Lane, Monsey, NY 10952 November 2022
Yeshiva Ateres Shloime of Bobov 99-2534132 30 Lane Street, Unit 201, Monsey, NY 10952 November 2024

Sources for the table: IRS Business Master File.[20]

Three further Brooklyn organisations lost their tax exemption under the IRS automatic revocation rules for failing to file for three consecutive years: Bobov In Israel Inc (13-1912599, 184 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213; revoked with effect from 15 November 2010), Shefa of Bobov (11-2384571, 955 East 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230; 15 January 2011) and Bobov Foundation Inc (35-2317929, 43 Webster Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230; 15 May 2011).[30] For a fuller list see Bobov non profits in the US.

United Kingdom

The Bobov community in London is based in Stamford Hill. JCR-UK records a Bobov-45 synagogue, Chasidey Bobov-45 Beth Hamedrash, at 73 Clapton Common, Upper Clapton, London E5 9AA, from 2008, formerly the site of the Swan public house; it met at 26 Lampard Grove, London N16, from 2006 to 2008. It is affiliated to the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations and is distinct from the Kehal Chasidei Bobov Beth Hamedrash in Egerton Road, London N16, which follows Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam.[4]

Charity Number Address Income Where it operates Notes
Kahal Chassidim Bobov 278823 87 Egerton Road, London N16 6UE £2,585,547 (year to 31 March 2025) England, Austria, Belgium, Israel, United States Registered 27 March 1980. Objects: the advancement of the Jewish religion "and the world-wide organisation of Chassidim of the Grand Rabbi Bobov in particular", in the UK or elsewhere. Runs a charity voucher system and makes grants. Received funds from the Stempel Charity (243913) on 29 August 2024.[31]
Mosdos Bobov 1151332 253 Kyverdale Road, London N16 6PQ £84,507 (year to 31 July 2025) Barnet, Hackney, Haringey, Belgium, Israel, United States Registered 22 March 2013. Grants to people in need, especially at festivals, and for education and community activities.[32]
ABC Trust (working name: Association of the Bobov Community) 1126661 79 Wargrave Avenue, London N15 6TU £3,896,978 (year to 31 December 2024) Hackney, Haringey, Salford, Israel, United States Registered 11 November 2008; formerly Ichud Chasidim Limited. Holds property under development as a community centre and synagogue and makes grants. Objects name Hackney, Haringey, Salford, Israel and the United States.[33]
Friends of the Bobover Yeshivah 242075 87 Egerton Road, London N16 6UE £1,574,098 (year to 31 March 2025) Runs a school for children over five, aids needy Talmudical students and makes grants to the poor. Trustees: Steven Blau, Levi Rottenberg, Benzion Blum.[14]
Bobov Shul 1195123 73 Clapton Common, London E5 9AA £87,523 (year to May 2025) Advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion and education; at the address of the Bobov-45 synagogue. Trustees: Chaim Reichberg (chair), Shalom Kohn, Heshy Reichberg.[34][4]
Bobov (M/C) Ltd 1153389 (company 08111861) Enterprise House, Middleton House, 3 Middleton Road, Manchester M8 5DT £445,678 (year to 30 June 2025) Collects funds for Orthodox Jewish education and religion. Trustees: Nuchem Schlaff, Chaskel Lamm, Yosef Schreiber.[35]
Stempel Charity 243913 £86 (year to 5 April 2024) England Grant-making trust registered 7 October 1965; removed on 29 August 2024 as not operating, its funds transferred to Kahal Chassidim Bobov (278823).[36][31]

Freshwater family

Descent and businesses

According to a company history published by Daejan Holdings, Osias Freshwater was born in 1897 in Galicia and reached Britain in 1939; his first wife and three children were killed in the Holocaust. In 1947, in London's East End, he married Nechama Stempel, the widowed daughter of "Rabbi Bobov", who had survived the war with her two children. Their two sons, Benzion Freshwater and Solomon Freshwater, became directors of Daejan; Osias Freshwater died in 1976 and Benzion became chairman in 1980.[5] The Yeshiva World called the brothers "descendants of the Bobov dynasty",[6] and in 2013 Behadrei Haredim called Benzion Freshwater a relative of the Bobover Rebbe, reporting that the rebbe was travelling to Israel for the wedding of Freshwater's grandson to the granddaughter of Chanoch Segal, head of the Bobov congregation in Israel.[25] Nechama Golda Freshwater was secretary of the Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association until 3 March 2004.[37]

The family's property businesses are known as the Freshwater Group.[38] Companies House lists Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater and Solomon Israel Freshwater as directors of Daejan Holdings Limited (company 00305105) and of its parent, Daejan Group Holdings Limited (12325581), whose person with significant control since 26 June 2023 is Benzion Freshwater. Benzion Freshwater is also a director of Metropolitan Properties Company Limited (00043381), whose person with significant control is Freshwater Family Holdings Limited. Other family members on these boards include Alexander Mordecai, Raphael Elozor, Chaim Benzion, Bella and Joshua Freshwater.[39][40][41]

Grants to Bobov bodies

The brothers are directors of the Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association (RFMA; charity 313890, company 00688212) and Mayfair Charities (charity 255281, company 00927985), both registered care of the Freshwater Group of Companies, Freshwater House, 158–162 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8HR.[42][43] The other directors are Richard Fischer and, until 1 May 2025, David Davis.[37][44][42] The RFMA reported an income of £11,695,000 and Mayfair £5,416,000 in the year to 31 March 2025.[42][43] The RFMA's accounts record donations of £1,250,000 a year in 2021–22 and 2022–23 from Metropolitan Properties Company Limited and £100,000 in 2022–23 from Daejan Holdings Limited, noting that certain trustees are directors of the donor companies.[7]

Both charities' published grant lists name Bobov bodies in the UK:

Grants to Bobov-named recipients (£'000; years to 31 March)
Grant-maker Recipient 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RFMA Bobov Cheder Trust 641 1,024 663 – –
RFMA Kahal Chasidim Bobov 133 90 34 – 129
RFMA Bobov Foundation F.O. 65 42 47 – –
RFMA Friends of Bobov – – – 34 –
RFMA The Friends of the Bobover Yeshiva – – – – 72
Mayfair Kahal Chassidim Bobov 37 29 143 133 85
Mayfair The Friends of the Bobover Yeshivah – 29 – – –
Mayfair Friends of Bobov – – 26 42 –

A dash means that the recipient is not named in that year's list. Sources: RFMA and Mayfair report and financial statements, 2021–2025.[7][45] The RFMA lists also include Chibas Yerushalayim Kollel (£174,000 in 2021, £62,000 in 2022 and £216,000 in 2023) and Brisk Yeshiva or The Friends of Yeshivas Brisk (£29,000 in 2021, £34,000 in 2022 and £26,000 in 2025).[7]

The Jewish Chronicle placed Benzion Freshwater in its 2014 Power 100, saying that the family is "crucial to the charitable economy of the Charedi community" and that, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, it had given away over £16 million in the previous year.[46]

Charity Commission inquiry

In July 2012 the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Mayfair Charities, whose trustees were then David Davis and the two Freshwater brothers. It examined "the complex network of property-related financial arrangements" between the charity, its trading subsidiaries and companies connected to the trustees, including loans. The inquiry found no significant failings in the administration of the charity but required it to appoint at least one "fully independent and unconflicted" trustee and to review its relationship with connected companies periodically.[38] Mayfair told the Jewish Chronicle that it would appoint an independent trustee in January 2014.[47] Companies House shows Richard Fischer appointed a director of both Mayfair and the RFMA on 23 January 2014.[44][37]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Yitzchok Frankfurter, A Conversation With Professor Marcin Wodziński on Hasidism The Seforim Blog, 2 September 2018 (reprinted from Ami Magazine, 11 July 2018), accessed 27 October 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 David Assaf, Sandz Hasidic Dynasty YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, accessed 27 October 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 David Derovan, Bobov Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd ed.), via Encyclopedia.com, accessed 27 October 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 JCR-UK, Bobov-45 Beth Hamedrash, Clapton Common, London E5 JewishGen, accessed 27 October 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Daejan Holdings, History daejanholdings.com (archived 28 February 2009), accessed 27 October 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Yeshiva World, TODAY: Bobov-45 Readies For Ceremony Celebrating Rededication Of Massive 150,000 Square Ft. School Building The Yeshiva World, 17 February 2019, accessed 27 October 2026.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association Limited, Report and financial statements, years ended 31 March 2021–2025 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Gershon Tannenbaum, Bobover Rebbe’s Triumphant Visit To Israel Five Towns Jewish Times, 12 February 2015 (archived 4 December 2024), accessed 27 October 2026.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Margalit Fox, Naftali Halberstam Dies at 74; Bobov Hasidim's Grand Rabbi New York Times, 25 March 2005 (archived 25 August 2025), accessed 27 October 2026.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Library of Congress, Halberstam, Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish, 1955- Library of Congress Name Authority File, accessed 27 October 2026.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Library of Congress, Unger, Mordekhai Daṿid Library of Congress Name Authority File, accessed 27 October 2026.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Andy Newman, A Battle for Succession Takes No Holiday New York Times, 26 March 2005 (archived 25 June 2024), accessed 27 October 2026.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Shlomo Greenwald, Bet Din On The Clock: Nathan Lewin Wants Jewish Courts To Run More Efficiently The Jewish Press, 21 March 2012, accessed 27 October 2026.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Charity Commission, THE FRIENDS OF THE BOBOVER YESHIVAH – 242075 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kikar HaShabbat, פסק הדין שמרעיד את חסידות באבוב Kikar HaShabbat, 22 August 2014, accessed 27 October 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Moshe Weisberg and Avreimi Perlstein, Unequivocal verdict: There is only one Bobov (in Hebrew) Behadrei Haredim, 25 August 2014, accessed 27 October 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Samuel C. Heilman, Bobov: A Clash of Families in Who Will Lead Us? The Story of Five Hasidic Dynasties in America, Oakland: University of California Press, 2017.
  18. ↑ Haredim10, האדמו"ר הרמ"ד הכריע: מציית - מהיום החצר "באבוב 45" Haredim10, 19 November 2014, accessed 27 October 2026.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 David Damen, My Rebbe, My Rebbi Mishpacha, 9 June 2024, accessed 27 October 2026.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Internal Revenue Service, Exempt Organizations Business Master File Extract: New York irs.gov, 13 October 2026, accessed 27 October 2026.
  21. ↑ Olam HaTorah, Kedushat Tzion – Bobov Torah Index (archived 18 June 2025), accessed 27 October 2026.
  22. ↑ Dan Lavie, Coronavirus brings soldiers and Haredim closer together Israel Hayom, 30 December 2020 (archived 18 January 2026), accessed 27 October 2026.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Registrar of Associations, Israeli Ministry of Justice, Register of associations and public benefit companies: search "באבוב" data.gov.il, accessed 27 October 2026.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Tzvi Rabinowicz, Hasidism in Israel: A History of the Hasidic Movement, Northvale, N.J.: Jason Aronson, 2000.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Moshe Weisberg, Bobov Rebbe is coming for a quick visit to Israel (in Hebrew) Behadrei Haredim, 6 June 2013, accessed 27 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem, "Expanding the settlement of Betar Illit" Warmly welcoming to the US Mideast special envoy G. Mitchell POICA, 9 March 2010, accessed 26 October 2026.
  27. ↑ International Court of Justice, Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 icj-cij.org, 19 July 2024, accessed 27 October 2026.
  28. ↑ Cause IQ, Friends of Bobov Toronto Cause IQ, accessed 27 October 2026.
  29. ↑ Cause IQ, Congregation Khal Shaarei Zion Bobov Cause IQ, accessed 27 October 2026.
  30. ↑ Internal Revenue Service, Automatic Revocation of Exemption List (data download) irs.gov, accessed 27 October 2026.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Charity Commission, KAHAL CHASSIDIM BOBOV – 278823 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  32. ↑ Charity Commission, MOSDOS BOBOV – 1151332 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  33. ↑ Charity Commission, THE ABC TRUST – 1126661 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  34. ↑ Charity Commission, BOBOV SHUL – 1195123 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  35. ↑ Charity Commission, BOBOV (M/C) LTD – 1153389 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  36. ↑ Charity Commission, STEMPEL CHARITY – 243913 (removed) Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Companies House, The Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association Limited (00688212): officers Find and update company information, accessed 27 October 2026.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Jenna Pudelek, Charity Commission tells Jewish charity to appoint at least one 'fully independent' trustee Third Sector, 16 December 2013 (archived 15 December 2024), accessed 27 October 2026.
  39. ↑ Companies House, Daejan Holdings Limited (00305105): officers Find and update company information, accessed 27 October 2026.
  40. ↑ Companies House, Daejan Group Holdings Limited (12325581): persons with significant control Find and update company information, accessed 27 October 2026.
  41. ↑ Companies House, Metropolitan Properties Company Limited (00043381): persons with significant control Find and update company information, accessed 27 October 2026.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Charity Commission, THE RAPHAEL FRESHWATER MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED – 313890 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Charity Commission, MAYFAIR CHARITIES LIMITED – 255281 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Companies House, Mayfair Charities Limited (00927985): officers Find and update company information, accessed 27 October 2026.
  45. ↑ Mayfair Charities Limited, Report and financial statements, years ended 31 March 2021–2025 Charity Commission for England and Wales, accessed 27 October 2026.
  46. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, JC Power 100: Numbers 100 - 51 The Jewish Chronicle, 28 August 2014, accessed 27 October 2026.
  47. ↑ Sandy Rashty, Charity will appoint new trustee after probe The Jewish Chronicle, 19 December 2013, accessed 27 October 2026.
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