EXCLUSIVE: [VIDEO & PHOTOS] The nightmare began a few weeks ago, when Faigy Friedlander of Lakewood found out that her Chosson Yosef David Michael- a UK and Israeli citizen – was denied a Visa to enter the U.S. where they were to marry. With their wedding just weeks away, the Chosson went to the Embassy to set up an emergency meeting, but to no avail. There was no way that he was getting his Visa to attend his own wedding.
In fact, the Chosson was told by the Embassy to postpone his wedding.
The family was frantic and began contacting everybody they knew who may possibly assist.
As a Chavrusah of Mayor Steven Langert, Rabbi Friedlander called on him to see what can be done. This was last Thursday.
Steven Langert immediately contacted R’ Yitzchok Halberstam – the founder of CHEMED and the LRRC – who has strong political connections.
After speaking with officials in Rabbi Porush’s office, Reb Halberstam contacted Grunblatt Esq. who put together a short synopses of the situation.
At 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Reb Halberstam, a friend of U.S. Congressman Chris Smith of NJ’s 4th District, emailed the synopsis to his Chief Of Staff, Mary Noonan. Within 15 minutes, she responded that she will immediately get to work on the case.
Friday morning however, she was dealing with a Niftar from France who had to get to the U.S. before Shabbos, and so she hung up the phone saying she would continue working on it after the weekend.
In the ineterim, fearing that it may not be takin care of, Halberstam contacted two associates of Hillary Clinton, as a precaution.
Monday morning however, Chief Of Staff Noonan put Legislative Director Tim Lynagh and Katie Doherty on the case. Meanwhile, a letter from the Kallah was also sent to Congressman Smith. (See letter here).
Shortly afterwards, Doherty researched the law and phoned the Consul General of the Tel Aviv Embassy to set up a conference between him and Congressman Smith.
A strong advocacy letter (view letter here and here)- together with the Kallah’s letter – was sent to the Consul General from Congressman Smith. Fearing the Congressman, the Consul General agreed to grant the Chosson an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning.
Yesterday, the Chosson went to the Embassy and was told that they had received tremendous pressure from the U.S. and his Visa was granted.
This afternoon, the Congressman agreed to come to Lakewood to meet the Kallah and her family.
In an emotional gathering, the Congressman met the Kallah and family at Mayor Steven Langert’s office this afternoon, with the attendance of R’ Halberstam and Chief Of Staff Mary Noonan.
“It is always a pleasure to visit Lakewood”, said Congressman Smith”. “I enjoy seeing the health center that wouldn’t be there without Rabbi Halberstam’s efforts. In this case, I was happy to assist and help correct an injustice done. Mazel Tov to the Freidlander family”.
At the gathering, Mayor Steven Langert made the following statement:
“I thank Congressman Smith for taking time out of his rigorous campaign schedule to come to Lakewood tonight. I asked him to come because I feel that it is important to publicize how much the Congressman cares about Lakewood and how he will move mountains for his constituents.
As we all know, Lakewood has a large Orthodox Jewish community. This community frequently travels to and from Israel. From time to time people in Israel can get into what I can only term as a “visa snafu.”
This is what happened to the soon to be son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Friedlander.
Rabbi Friedlander approached me about his problem. Thank G-D that Lakewood has many “askonim,” community activists, and I asked him to contact Rabbi Yitzchok Halberstam, a noted “askan” and the founder of both the Lakewood Resource & Referral Center (“LRRC”) and the CHEMED Health Center.
Rabbi Halberstam reached out to the Congressman who immediately assigned both his chiefs of staff here and in Washington to look into the issue. Through their herculean efforts, the necessary paperwork was obtained and a visa was issued.
There are very few of our elected officials who would interrupt their pre-election schedule and put it on hold to help ensure that a marriage takes place. Congressman, I hope I speak for everyone in Lakewood when I say thank you for what you have done and continue to do for your constituents in Lakewood.
The Chasuna will be taking place this coming Thursday.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS By MOFOTO (Moshe Oiknine) For TLS.
VIDEO
oy the letter couldve been written better. either way mazel tov!
what is probably not so well known is that yitzchok halberstam used to be a member of the lakewood vaad years ago. He left when he saw where things were going. How many askanim do we have in lakewood that actually do things for our community without asking or getting anything in return? how many people know that halberstam founded chemed? i seem to remember a lakewood voice article glorifying others for work that halberstam actually did.
Mazal Tov Beshah Tova Umutzlachas. Shetizku livnos bayis neeman beyisrael.
Mi ki’amcha yisrael THANK YOU Rabbi Halberstam for all your time and effort that you put into the community. Its good we have a man like you in town (who gets things done not for the kavod involved) Thank you Mayor and Congressman! Beautiful story!
Rabbi Halberstam is still on the VAAD, just for your info.
Mazal Tov! Just in case the passport numbers are real, they should probaly be blacked out.
You are wrong. He is not on the vaad. Hasn’t been for a couple of years. I would like to express my hakoros hatov to everyone that had a part in making this happen and echo the words of the mayor, thank you mr. Smith for being there for Lakewood. As far as I’m concerned mr. Smith goes to Washington
Mazel tov to one of the worlds best Mashgichim in the Kashrus field & his entire family, may the chosson & kalla build a Bayis Ne’eman B’yisroel. & May Hashem reward Rabbi Halberstam, Congressman Smith & Mayer Langert & always help them in they’re time of need.
you can see that the help only came after the congressman got on the case. i also had a similar (passport) issue, we contacted the office of Congressman Smith, and within a short time the matter was taken care of. wishing him much hatzlacha on the upcoming election!
Please clarify. First it says he declined to be visited and wanted to come to Lakewood. Then the mayor said ‘i asked him to come…???
Thank you for helping to arrange the kevurah of the niftar from France.
was the Agudah involved? they were always the go to addrress with this issue.
There are many who helped in the founding of chemed including Secratary of state Hillary clinton who secured the million dollar grant.
Congressman Chris Smith seems to be in touch with the issues our community finds important. He is also advocating for justice for Rubashkin – he sent a letter to Attorney General Holder requesting that he look into the matter with Reid.
Is this the same congressman who voted for cap n trade?
maybe the congressman can help the “school issue” in Lakewood also. some kids are still out. maybe Rabbi Halberstam can bring this to his attention
A Britsh citizen doesn’t need a vist to enter the US. England is a country that’s under the visa waiver program. Something is missing in this story.
I’m curious as to why the groom was not given his visa earlier. Was it a matter of needing more documents, a waiting period, need for vaccinations, paperwork backlog in our embassy, whatever?
Could someone please tell me why the Choson was denied a visa to the United States. We seem to have only half a story here?
Rabbi Halberstam continues to amaze us.A true baal chesed leshem shumaim
We have always found Chris Smith’s office very geared to helping his constituents. His staff is friendly, concerned, helpful and efficient. You can tell a community minded person by the quality and attitude of the people working for him! Thank you Congressman Chris Smith! Kol HaKavod Rabbi Halberstam!
Rabbi Halberstam is a great-grandson of the Kedushas Tzion of Bobov & a great-nephew of the Late Reb Shlome of Bobov who devoted their time and energy for klal yisroel ! let the zchus avos give him koach to continue his good work !!!!!!!
not voteing for smith
im voting for rabbi halberstam
may this be the only obstacle the couple has to face from here on. Mazel Tov! May you build a binyan adei ad.
Btw, Wedding is Thursday i”yh