About Us

The purpose of this website is to document the legendary and historic achievements of Reb Meir Schuster; to create a place where the countless “Reb Meir stories” can be told, preserved, and shared – where the legend can continue to inspire.

This website will always be a work in progress: It is our hope that you will share your own story here and share this site with your friends. In that way, this “home” of Reb Meir stories will grow; it will inspire - and it will give recognition, honor and support to Reb Meir and his family.

Who are we? We are ten men and women (more or less) whose lives have been forever transformed by an encounter with Rabbi Schuster. Each of us feels… a deep sense of appreciation to Reb Meir. When we learned of his health challenges, and that they were largely unknown to so many who care deeply about him, we resolved to create this Tribute Website.

Most of our “Group of 10” had never met one another or even spoken by phone. We came together by one friend reaching out to the next. And that is exactly what this website is about. Our hope is that our “Group of 10” will grow to include you – and every person whose life was touched by Reb Meir.

Each of us has only come to know a sliver, at most, of who Reb Meir is. Collectively, we now have the opportunity to build a true picture of the man. After all, we are his life’s work.

Story of the Week

Shalom Schwartz's Story

It was February 1974. I was four and a half months into my six month Kibbutz Ulpan program at Ein Dor, a shomer hatzair kibbutz, near Tiberias in northern Israel. I worked extra days on the kibbutz prior to our program’s Jerusalem trip to be able to stay on afterwards in Jerusalem for a long weekend.

The trip included a visit to the Kotel. Everyone was given some time on their own and told when we should return back to the bus to depart. I was not into “holy” places so I checked out the archaeological digs nearby instead, and returned to the bus.  We were about to leave and everyone was asked to check if anyone had not yet returned. Sure enough, my roommate was missing so I headed out to the Kotel area to retrieve him.

As I came closer, I saw him in conversation with a tall man in a black hat and suit. I walked behind the man, and signaled my friend that the bus was leaving and that we had to go. Reb Meir turned around and began a conversation... (continued)

A Call to Action

Sadly, serious illness has taken its toll on this legend of a man. Diagnosed 3 years ago with Lewy Body, a debilitating illness with symptoms similar to both Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s, Reb Meir's condition has declined in recent months and he now requires full-time medical care.

If ever there was a time for us to give back to Reb Meir, this is it. You can help today by: Davening for Reb Meir Tzvi ben Merka  -  Making a donation of any amount to the Reb Meir Schuster Trust Fund  - And sharing your story with us, which we will publish here and send on to the Rebbetzin.

And please "Join Our Community" to receive regular health updates and any other important news about Reb Meir.

The Man at the Wall

- by Bracha Goetz

Reading the stories about Rabbi Meir Schuster that are just now being collected, I am transported back over thirty years ago.

It is 1976.  The man who was to become my husband was praying at the Kotel.  Larry had finished his time in a kibbutz ulpan, and was still volunteering in a development town in the Negev, when he decided to spend the weekend in Jerusalem.  He was scheduled to return to the States a few weeks later, with no clear plans.  Larry put a note in a crevice in the Wall and then prayed sincerely to find his path in life.  When he finished, there was a tap on his shoulder.  It was Rabbi Schuster, asking him, “Do you have the time?”   Thank G-d, Larry did have the time, and he followed Reb Meir to a yeshiva for baalei teshuva where he began the process of finding his life's path.  After nine years of learning and teaching at Yeshiva Aish HaTorah, young wandering Larry became Rabbi Aryeh Goetz.
 
It is 1978, and after completing my first year of medical school, I was volunteering on the oncology ward at Hadassah Hospital, visiting with patients who were dying, while my secret mission was to learn the purpose of living.  During my first few days in Israel, I went to the Kotel, and Reb Meir Schuster found me there.  His purity and his sincerity came right into my heart.  I began to study at the women's division of Ohr Someyach, and the process of understanding the purpose of living began for me as well.
 
It is 1979, and every torch is lit on the Menorah beside the Kotel, as it is the eighth night of Chanukah.  My soon-to-be husband is sitting near me… (continued)