I am filled with admiration and respect for the askonim and baalei battim who have invested countless hours and significant resources to build two new halls in Lakewood, providing a valuable option for those who prefer affordable chassunas rather than spending exorbitant sums on a five-hour wedding.
At the same time, it is only fair to acknowledge and express deep hakaras hatov to the existing halls and caterers in Lakewood who have been offering affordable chassuna packages for many years — far below the standard market rates. Foremost among them is Bais Faiga, together with Greenwald Caterers, who for the past 30 years have hosted thousands of weddings at unbelievably low prices. For most of those years, this was achieved without outside subsidies or wealthy donors. R’ Itche Meir Greenwald has been catering these weddings from the very beginning, operating on a minimal profit, motivated not by status or askonus, but by a desire to serve the community.
It is also important to note that the Bais Faiga/Ateres Chana chassuna packages, as well as other affordable options in Lakewood, include music, photography, videography, beautifully arranged artificial flowers, and a kallah’s bouquet as part of their offerings.
In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes of hatzlacha to the new halls and a sincere tizku l’mitzvos to everyone involved. My greatest hope is that the mosdos who rely on the rental of their chassuna halls to make their mortgage payments will not be negatively impacted by these new initiatives.
Signed,
A.S.
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Totally agree. My chasunah was held there and I know from other people how affordable it was to make it. R’ Greenwald should definitely be getting recognition for what he’s done for years. Giving people the opportunity to make a simcha without breaking the bank is a tremendous chesed.
well said!
Today’s news is yesterday’s history unfortunately people forget the amount of chessed and affordable access Rabbi Greenwald has given the community for 30 years all types of people feel comfortable in his surroundings and noone feels there getting a cheap simcha and have any feeling of shame or embarrassment. Baruch Hashem the klal has grown and we need more halls and places to make simchas but let’s not forget the years and years when noone was around and Rabbi Greenwald just made 100s of simchas for anyone in need with no questions asked ASHRECHA.
Seems like the new hall is only a drop cheaper but only allowes much less people. No major bargain.
Yes Reb Itcha Meir is a legend in the chessed “industry”. He has thought of these ideas way before it became popular-Never once in it for himself. He should continue IYH serving the Klal and it should be a Zchus for his family. I hope all halls in Lakewood are successful with IYH many more simchos.
WOW yes I have delt with reb icha meir so many times bh making so many simchos with his team what a true real baal chessed! Lakewood should have many more people like him.
After making many simchos with the greenwald caterers family I can attest the level of sincerity and care they ensure you have while enjoying your happy days unfortunately not all times are bills able to be paid or there are families that have unfortunate circumstances and Itche Mair is there to jump in no questions asked just by hanging around in the office the level of chessed you hear is unparalleled so YES LETS NOT FORGET THE PIONEER AND FOUNDER OF THE “TAKANA” WEDDING which Rabbis Greenwald instituted 30 years before its time
Pioneer is the truest term for the Greenwald Family the level of generosity and secrecy that goes through that companies doors are beyond the scope of normalcy Reb Itche Mier makes it his mission to provide for all chosson and kallahs to walk down besimcha and binachas in all situations even when others aren’t looking or paying attention he and his company are at the event providing beautiful simchas and noticeably it trickles down to his staff who are sensitive kind and caring to the communitys needs KEEP UP THE GREAT WORL YOU DO FOR KLAL YISROEL