The first Spinka Rebbe was Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss, author of Imrei Yosef. He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Weiss, author of Chakal Yitzchak. The Chakal Yitzchak was murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. Another son, Naftali Weiss, the Bilker Rebbe, is a prominent subject in the Auschwitz Album of rare photographs taken at the death camp.[1]
After World War II, the group was divided among many Rebbes, descendants of the Imrei Yosef. Spinka Rebbes can be found in Williamsburg, Borough Park, Flatbush, Kiryas Joel, Monsey, Bnei Brak, London, Antwerp, throughout Israel, and Europe. All are offshoots of the original dynasty. Several Spinka Rebbes live in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn alone (Toldos Tzvi, Beis Yitxchok, and Beis Shmuel Tzvi communities), and Israeli branches are found in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak.
Among the surnames of the Spinka Rebbes are Weiss (or Weisz),[1] Kahana, and Horowitz.
Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss – (1838–1909 (ו' אייר תרס"ט)) – Author of Imrei Yosef
Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Weiss – (1875–1944) – Author of Chakal Yitzchak, son of the Imrei Yosef
Rabbi Avraham Abish Horowitz of Kruly, son-in-law of the Chakal Yitzchak
Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Horowitz – Spinka Rebbe of Williamsburg – affectionately known as "Reb Hershele Spinker", son of Rabbi Abish of Kruly
Rabbi Yissachar Dov Berish Horowitz, (d. 2007 (י"ט תשרי תשס"ח)- Spinka Rebbe in Williamsburg – Beis Shmuel Tzvi Synagogue – the eldest son of Reb Hershele Spinker
Rabbi Yosef Meir Horowitz – Spinka Rebbe in Williamsbug – Beis Shmuel Tzvi Synagogue – eldest son of Reb Berish Spinker.
Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Horowitz – Spinka Rebbe in Airmont – Oholei Tzvi Synagogue – son Of Reb Berish Spinker.
Rabbi Ahron Dovid Horowitz – Zabiltover Rebbe in Williamsburg – son Of Reb Berish Spinker.
Rabbi Abraham Abish Horowitz Shlit"a – (A.K.A. Abish Spinka) Spinka Rebbe in Williamsburg – Beis Yitzchak Spinka Synagogue – son of Reb Hershele Spinker – Son in law of Rabbi Ahron Mordechai Rothner of Jerusalem
Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Horowitz (A.K.A. Isaac Spinka) – Spinka Rebbe in Williamsburg – Toldos Tzvi Spinka Synagogue – son of Reb Hershele Spinker
Rabbi Nuta Horowitz – Spinka Rebbe in Bor Park- Zichron Avraham Synagogue – son of Reb Hershele Spinker
Rabbi Naftali Horowitz – Kruly Rebbe of Williamsburg – the youngest son of Reb Hershele Spinker
In 2009, Rabbi Naftali Tzi Weisz and five other Spinka members pleaded guilty to charges in what prosecutors called "a decade-long tax fraud and money-laundering scheme".[2][3][4][5][6]
Two brothers, both Spinka Rebbes from Williamsburg, Rabbi Isaac Horowitz and the late Rabbi Berish Horowitz, sons of Rebbe Hershele Spinker
Grave of Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi "Hershele" Horowitz, Spinka Rebbe of
Rabbi Abish Horowitz Spinka Rebbe in Williamsburg – Beis Yitzchak Spinka
