Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY – Sect-based sibling rivalry subsided into a quiet Saturday night as seething Satmars parted ways.
Although there was no resolution to the conflict over which of two brothers vying for control of the Hasidic sect would lead it in to the future, the threat of violence diminished as more than 1,000 members, who had come to the city for a fight, returned home.
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The out-of-towners are followers of Orange County-based Aaron Teitelbaum, the eldest son of Grand Rebbe Moses Teitelbaum, who died Monday.
Backers of younger brother Zalman Teitelbaum, whose synagogue is in Williamsburg, declared a victory of sorts yesterday, as Aaron’s people left in buses.
Despite predictions of violent conflict on an epic scale, Brooklyn has enjoyed a surprising peace in the days since Rabbe Teitelbaum died – but it’s been expensive.
Aron’s side claims it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of the congregation’s assets for the massive Shabbas ceremonies and the Friday night “crowning” of the rabbe’s eldest son, as his successor as leader of the Satmar sect.
Zalman, who was chosen by his father to lead the Williamsburg congregation in a will, held services and its own “crowning” ceremony at their Rodney Street synagogue. Members of the Zalman group said they didn’t have any extra costs.