Shavuos in Satmar: A Tale of Two Rebbes

New York - In Kiryas Joel, they piled into the main synagogue and a huge tent beside it. In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, they poured into the cavernous new Satmar synagogue.
Two crowds for two rebbes -- Aron and Zalmen Teitelbaum, rival brothers who have each donned the crown of the Satmar grand rebbe since their father, Moses, died on April 24. The occasion was Shavuos, a festive Jewish holiday that concluded Saturday night, June 3, with huge gatherings in Kiryas Joel and Williamsburg. For each set of followers, it was time to show their numbers and celebrate Shavuos with their new rebbe.

A set of photos show Aron supporters assembled in the Kiryas Joel tent and a then walking in a torch-lit procession to their rebbe's home. A second set of photos show Rebbe Zalmen and his followers at his home and in the Williamsburg syangogue.