On Motzei Shabbos Nachamu, the Skulener Rebbe of Lakewood was joined by chasidim for a Seudas Hodaah to mark the anniversary of the miraculous release of the Skulener Rebbe, Harav Eliezer Zusia Portugal zt”l, from a Romanian prison in 1960.
The Rebbe had been arrested by the Romanian communist regime for his tireless efforts to sustain and protect Jewish life under oppressive conditions. Following intense international efforts — including appeals from Gedolei Yisroel, Jewish organizations, and world leaders — the Rebbe was freed in the summer of 1960. Shortly afterward, on June 15, 1960, he arrived in the United States, where he reestablished his chassidus in Brooklyn.
Since then, Skulener Chassidim have commemorated the Rebbe’s release each year on Shabbos Nachamu, holding festive gatherings to thank Hashem for the salvation and to recall the Rebbe’s mesirus nefesh on behalf of Klal Yisroel.
