RABBI BEN-ZION RABINOWICZ OF BIALA, Shilta is the youngest son of Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua of Biala. During the Nazi invasion of Poland, Rebbe Ben-zion and his sister escaped with many other children across Europe eastwards into Russia, down into Iran (Persia), and eventually to the Holy Land. The Ponevezher Rov — Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman — removed the young Rebbe-to-be and his sister from the care of the secular Zionists. After reuniting with his father after the war, Rabbi Ben Zion learned in the Ponevezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak, and in the Gateshead Talmudical College in England.

He became Rabbi of Lugano, Switzerland, in 1980, and became Biala Rebbe in 1981 upon the death of his father. In addition to his position as the Rabbi of Lugano, the Rebbe spends much time in Jerusalem and Safed, where he has synagogues.

The Rebbe Shlita is the author of an extensive body of Torah literature, including both Hasidic discourses and Talmudic commentaries, of which over thirty volumes have been published in Hebrew.

The Biala Rebbe has been the Gerzi’s family rabbi for the last 30 years having a very strong relation with every member of the family. Rabbi Gerzi has had the privilege to develop his own connection for many years, enjoying the support and wisdom of the Rebbe at every point in his life. The Rebbe encouraged Rabbi Gerzi to pursue an education in secular interests and to open the Beit HaMidrash, and taught him how to bridge across generations. The Biala Rebbe is Rabbi Gerzi’s model for patience, kindness, consistency, and discipline.

What I have noticed and what I have learned from the Biala Rebbe from age 5, hopefully for many
years to come, is to match the person in front of you; how much you have to care for them and
give them the ability to know what they are seeing is very real… and to respect them.