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