A significant chapter in the distribution of the late Satmar Rebbe's estate unfolds today (Thursday) as his family gathers for a lottery to divide hundreds of ceremonial gold and silver objects. The items, valued collectively at over three million dollars, will be distributed equally among all seven children of Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, known as the "Berach Moshe," who passed away two decades ago.
This distribution represents the second phase of an estate settlement initiated by philanthropist Lipa Friedman. Several months ago, the family completed the first stage—dividing rare manuscripts and unique ritual objects exclusively among the Rebbe's sons, who maintain active use of such items in their religious leadership roles. That initial distribution, twenty years after the Rebbe's passing, was accomplished with complete family unity.
The current phase encompasses a broader collection: heirlooms passed down through generations of Satmar leadership, personal items the Rebbe himself used throughout his lifetime, and gifts of gratitude presented by followers and admirers over the years. All served the Rebbe during prayer services and at his ceremonial table.
The collection totals 302 rare items with an estimated combined value exceeding three million dollars.
The inventory includes an extensive range of ceremonial objects: goblets, Elijah cups, candlesticks, serving trays, menorahs, bowls, etrog containers, wine and liquor bottles, hand-washing vessels, cutlery, Sabbath knives, salt cellars, spice boxes, tobacco cases, silver crowns for ritual garments, pocket watches, wall clocks, scrolls, and numerous other gold and silver religious items.
Professional appraisers specializing in antique silver and Judaica conducted meticulous valuations of each piece. Based on their assessments, seven equivalent packages were assembled. Each set contains balanced representation from all three categories: ancestral heirlooms, the Rebbe's personal items, and gifts from his Hasidim.
Each package contains between 40 and 50 different items, with an estimated value of approximately half a million dollars.
The seven packages will be distributed through a fair lottery among the seven children: the sons—the current Satmar Rebbes, the rabbinical court head of Zenta, and the rabbinical court head of Satmar 15; and the sons-in-law, who lead Satmar communities in Borough Park, Montreal, and Monsey.
Today's lottery will take place at Friedman's summer residence, with representatives from the family, grandchildren, and religious officials from both Satmar courts attending. Participants are marking another chapter of unity and peace in the chronicles of the Satmar Hasidic dynasty.
