Belz receives final approval to expand its world center in Yerushalayim

Belz received final authorization to expand its bais medrash building at its world center in Yerushalayim, with plans to enlarge the main beis medrash and rebuild the Groyse Shtub into a multi-level hall. The approval was granted on the Belzer Yom Hatzalah after years of effort by community askanim and city officials.

Belz has received final authorization to expand its bais medrash building at the Belzer world center in Yerushalayim. The center has long struggled to accommodate tens of thousands of chassidim who travel from Israel and abroad to be with the Belzer Rebbe. The approval came on the Belzer Yom Hatzalah, a day observed by the community in thanksgiving for a historic rescue after the Holocaust. Community leaders and askanim pursued the permit for many years to allow the project to proceed. Key details: - Final approval was granted to continue development of the Belzer world center and expand the main Beis Medrash on its eastern, western, and southern sides. - The "Groyse Shtub," the main tish hall, will be rebuilt as a vast multi-level space with surrounding galleries to increase capacity for major gatherings, tishen, and Yomim Tovim. - The decision was announced on the Belzer Yom Hatzalah, a day of thanksgiving established by Rav Aharon of Belz. - Years of effort were led by askanim including Michel Halberstam and Zevi Farkash, with special recognition for architect and askan Aharon Ostreicher and for Elimelech Landman. - The Beis Medrash administration thanked Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion and his deputy, Eliezer Rauchberger, as well as the city's Planning and Building Committee for their support. Summary: The authorization clears the way for continued development under the approved plan, including enlarging the Beis Medrash and rebuilding the main tish hall. The approval recognizes decades of planning and community effort to increase space for large gatherings. Specific timing for construction and subsequent phases was not stated.