Rav Yisroel Alter, the Beis Yisroel, became the Rebbe of Gur at a time of deep darkness. Just a few years earlier, tens of thousands of Gerrer chassidim had perished in the Holocaust, and the few who’d survived faced the daunting challenge of beginning new lives.
Rav Yisroel became the Rebbe – and he rebuilt a world, miraculously leading Gerrer chassidus to almost unimaginable levels of greatness.
At the same time he was a loving, empathetic, wise shepherd, gently and patiently giving people the time and space they needed to grow.
Written with the flair and emotion that have made Yisroel Besser’s biographies so beloved, The Beis Yisroel tells both stories -- the story of the Rebbe’s immeasurable impact on a nation still reeling, and the individual stories of how he was able to heal, encourage and uplift. From a sign painter to his beloved talmidim, from survivors whose horrific experiences had sent them far from their chassidic routes to bachurim struggling with the lures of secular society – whatever the challenges, the Rebbe was there to help and guide and find the greatness of every Jew.