Ichud Mosdos Gur Celebrates and Honors Reb Shloma Werdiger

By Yehudit Garmaise

    Reb Shloma Werdiger was once asked, “What is the best advice you have been given?”

   “Don’t focus on anyone else appreciating you,” Reb Werdiger said on a video that was made for an Agudath Israel dinner in May 2018. “If you are looking for constant pats on the back, and you are looking for instantaneous gratification in terms of getting schar, know that you are doing it for Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and that is your schar.”

   Although Mr. Werdiger does not give to K’lal Yisroel in tens of organizations for accolades, Reb Yonason Borenstein, the executive director of Ichud Mosdos Gur, was determined to hold an event that would properly demonstrate the hakaras hatov that so many people feel toward the ba’al chesed.

   To honor Reb Werdiger’s prodigious efforts for the Ichud: including Keren Werdiger, a fund that distributes money and clothing to people in need in Israel and sponsorship of the Bais Medrash HaGadol, Mr. Borenstein and Ichud leader Motty Babchik recognized the myriad of ways that Mr. Werdiger extends himself by hosting a beautiful affair on Sunday, March 14 on the Lower East Side.

     In addition to many Ichud leaders, in attendance were representatives of Agudath Israel and other organizations that have similarly benefited from Mr. Werdiger’s generosity and time he lavishes on the Klal.      

    The guests were treated royally from the moment they walked in, as they were treated to a nice meal, while violinists played in the background, said Moshe Greenstein, who organized every detail of the beautiful event.

   For entertainment, first, singer Shulem Lemmer welcomed everyone by singing a medley that started with Shalom Aleichem, then the Yedidim Choir, and the Mendy Pansky Orchestra played such inspiring songs that the crowd broke out in dancing for quite some time, remembered Mr. Moshe Greenstein, Green Events’s CEO, who oversaw the event.

   Chazzan Yitzchok Meir Helfgot sang the Shabbos morning davening, “Uvchol mi sh’oskim, be’zarchei tzibur,” which moved the crowd because the lyrics, which pray “for all those who occupy themselves with the needs of the community,” so suited Mr. Werdiger’s tireless community work.

   When he spoke, Mr. Borenstein, expressed his profuse appreciation to his dear friend, and he said he was happy to have the opportunity to show Reb Shloma the love and gratitude that the entire community feels toward him. 

   Mr. Malcolm Hoenlin, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, also offered words of tribute to his dear friend and fellow askan.

   Gabbeim Avigdor Ostreicher and Shulem Ber Fishel came to thank Mr. Werdiger for all he does for the community and to give a special blessing from the Skver Rebbe, who wished him many long, happy, and vigorous years, Mr. Greenstein reported.

  Then guests watched a meaningful video that highlighted Mr. and Mrs. Werdiger’s generous projects that span Israel, America, and many places in between. 

   “Their involvement is what makes things happen,” many guests said. 

    The many blessings Mr. Weridger received only amplified those created by his work as a ba'al chesed and ba'al tzedakah. 

    But Mr. Werdinger does not give so time and money for any other reason than a pure desire to give to others.

   He once said, “Nachas is tangible when you are helping people,” but we don’t always see the results of our labors in chesed or in work for K’lal Yisroel.

     “We have to plant a lot of seeds,” Mr. Werdiger said in the video for Agudath Israel. “Whether you do advocacy in Washington, Albany, or City Hall, it takes a little bit longer time until you see the fruits.

   “But for askanus in general, when Hashem is good to you, Baruch Hashem, you can give back and give to other people.”

Photos by: Sholime Deutch