About Kiryat Sanz Netanya
Founded in 1956 by Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam z'l
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam (1905 – 1994) was a prominent Hasidic Rebbe and founder of the Sanz-Klausenburg Hasidic dynasty. He was born on January 10, 1905, in Rudnik, a small town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Ukraine).
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah was a descendant of the famous Sanz Hasidic dynasty and was recognized at a young age for his exceptional intelligence and piety. He received his rabbinic education from several prominent rabbis, including his father, Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, and his uncle, Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam.
During World War II, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah was imprisoned in the Kraków Ghetto and later in the Płaszów concentration camp. Despite the difficult conditions, he continued to study Torah and provide spiritual support to his fellow prisoners. He miraculously survived the war and immigrated to Israel in 1946.
In Israel, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah established his court in the town of Netanya and quickly gained a reputation as a holy and righteous leader. He was known for his emphasis on Torah study, prayer, and acts of kindness. He also worked tirelessly to rebuild the Jewish community in Israel, which had been decimated by the war.
In addition to his role as a spiritual leader, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah was also a prolific author and wrote numerous books on Jewish law, mysticism, and Hasidic philosophy. He was widely respected in the Jewish community and was consulted by rabbis and laypeople alike on a wide range of issues.
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah also established several educational and outreach institutions in Israel and around the world. These included yeshivas (religious schools), seminaries for women, and centers for Jewish outreach and education.
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah was known for his love of the Jewish people and his commitment to social justice. He was actively involved in various charitable causes and was recognized by several organizations for his humanitarian work.
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah passed away on June 18, 1994, and was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam, as the leader of the Sanz-Klausenburg Hasidic dynasty. He was mourned by Jews around the world who remembered him as a great tzaddik (righteous person) and spiritual leader.
His Emuna was so powerful, he only saw Hashem; he feared no one, not even the SS officers who threatened to kill him so many times. He was a real servant of Hashem.
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam is a Hasidic Rebbe and spiritual leader in the Sanz-Klausenburg Hasidic dynasty. He is the second son of Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, the founder of the dynasty, and was born on October 22, 1952, in the town of Klausenburg (now Cluj-Napoca, Romania).
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech survived the Holocaust with his father and continued his rabbinic studies in Israel. He later settled in the United States, where he established his court in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His followers consider him a great tzaddik (righteous person) and miracle worker.
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech is known for his exceptional piety, his emphasis on Torah study and prayer, and his commitment to chesed (acts of kindness) and philanthropy. He has been involved in numerous charitable endeavors and established several educational and outreach institutions to serve the needs of the Jewish community.
In addition to his role as a spiritual leader, Rabbi Zvi Elimelech is also known for his scholarship and has authored several books on Jewish law and spirituality. He is widely respected in the Hasidic community and has many followers around the world.
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech has been recognized by various organizations for his leadership and community service. He has received awards from the New York City Council, the Jewish Press, and the Israeli government, among others.
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam has established several institutions and synagogues in various cities around the world. In Israel, he has established synagogues and institutions in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Haifa, Safed, Ashdod, Modiin, Beitar Illit, and Elad. In the United States, in addition to his main court in Brooklyn, New York, there are Sanz-Klausenburg institutions in Lakewood, New Jersey; Monsey, New York; and Miami Beach, Florida. In Europe, he has established synagogues and institutions in Antwerp, Belgium; London, England; and Zurich, Switzerland.
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech's outreach efforts and charitable endeavors extend beyond his immediate community. He has been involved in humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives, including providing aid to victims of natural disasters and assisting Jewish communities in need around the world.
Kiryat Sanz Today
Today, Kiryat Sanz remains a thriving religious neighborhood in Netanya, rooted in the legacy of the Sanz-Klausenburg dynasty. The community continues to uphold Torah study, prayer, and chesed, with synagogues, yeshivas, and charitable institutions at the heart of daily life.
The neighborhood offers a range of facilities for residents and visitors: the Kiryat Sanz Beach provides separate bathing hours for men and women; the mikveh serves the community with clear schedules; and Laniado Hospital, founded by Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, provides medical care in the spirit of Jewish values. For those staying in Netanya, the Galei Sanz Hotel offers kosher accommodation near the sea.
Kiryat Sanz is a popular destination for religious tourists and families seeking a Shabbat-friendly environment. The area is well connected by public transport, and useful information can be found on our maps and contact pages.
About this website
This site is an independent information resource for Kiryat Sanz Netanya. It is not run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the Kiryat Sanz community, its institutions, or its leadership. Purpose: to collect practical, publicly available information (hours, addresses, transport) for residents and visitors. Historical and biographical content is drawn from publicly available sources. For contact details of the site, see Contact. Last updated: February 2025.