Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Yisrael Friedman - the Rebbe of Chortkov

A descendant of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin - Yisrael Friedman (1854-1934) - became the second Rebbe of Chortkov after the passing of his father, Rabbi Dovid Moshe of Chortkov.

Yahrzeit - 13 Kislev; Resting place - Simmering, Vienna, Austria;

When Yisrael was three years old, his mother brought him to her father, Rabbi Aharon, the Rebbe of Chernobyl (1784–1871). Rebbe Aharon could not take his eyes off his little grandson, exclaiming that had he not known this was his daughter's son, he would hardly have believed the child was "yelud isha" (born of woman, i.e., an ordinary mortal). His uncle, the Sadigura Rebbe Avraham Yaakov, likewise once remarked that although all of the Ruzhiner's grandchildren were exceptional, Yisrael was extraordinary even among them.

Even during his father's lifetime, he was actively involved in running the affairs of the court, communal matters, and, most importantly, teaching.

Upon becoming Rebbe, he only intensified his efforts. He saw how the maskilim (reformers), poverty, and other social problems were slowly eroding the foundations of Jewish life. He understood that he could not face this challenge alone, and that a strong alliance was needed to protect Jewish values. To this end, Rebbe Yisrael founded the "Histadrut HaCharedim," which was the forerunner of "Agudath Israel." Later, when the "Histadrut HaCharedim" merged with "Agudath Israel," the Rebbe was invited to serve as president of the party's Council of Torah Sages.

In 1914, during the First World War, the Rebbe's court was forced to leave Chortkov and move to Vienna. During the war, many Jews were drafted into the army, where many were killed or severely wounded. The Rebbe tried to help people avoid conscription. In Vienna he became actively involved in Jewish communal life. Thanks to him, a committee was established to support Jewish schools and religious education. Although after the war the Rebbe lived in Vienna and refused to return to Chortkov, he would visit there every month of Sivan. Each year, for four weeks, the town of Chortkov would come back to life. Tens of thousands of Jews would fill the town to be with the Rebbe.

Rebbe Yisrael Friedman passed away in 1934 and was buried in the Jewish cemetery of Vienna in a special Ohel.

May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael! https://www.geni.com/people/R-Israel-Friedman-2nd-Admur-Czortkow/4883989789100015511