Prisoner and activist's daughter • 'Japan prisoner' engaged to daughter of liberator

Was released and became engaged. Yaakov Yosef Greenwald

The prisoner and activist's daughter: Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, the last of the 'Prisoners of Japan', who was released from the Japanese prison, got engaged last night (Sunday) in good Mazal with the daughter of the activist who worked for his release - Yudel Yakav.

Behadrey Haredim has learned that the Shadchan was Hgrhid"a Weiss, Rav of Satmar in Antwerp, and spiritual figure who was behind the operation to the release of the Japanese prisoners from jail.

The first released who became engaged after liberation was Yoel Goldstein, who has been dubbed 'the Rebbe of Japan.' He will marry next month with Tzirel Shapiro from Manchester.

We are now left to wait for the third of the group - Yosef Bondo.

Yudel Yakav himself is beaming. In a conversation with Behadrey Haredim, he says: "It's hard to remember when the idea first came up in my head. I do remember the first time I met my future son-in-law. It was on the evening of bedikas chametz, one and a half months after the boys were arrested.

"We were three: Hachid"a Weiss, Attorney Zivin and me. We boarded the El Al flight to Hong Kong, and from there went to Tokyo. The boys were in separate detention areas, within driving distance of about three quarters of an hour. I remember when I first met my future son in law. I was very impressed . I saw before me a young man at the age of twenty, full of faith and confidence, despite the difficult conditions in which he was, without food and unable to communicate, he did not even speak a word of English or the language spoken in Tokyo.

"I have since visited him and his friends many of times, at least 25 times. Every time I was impressed anew by the faith of this gentle guy. My fascination peaked when during the imprisonment the question of the appeal filed by Goldstein came up. The lawyers told us that filing the appeal may lead to the postponement by a year of Yaakov Yosef Greenwald's case.

"This meant the sacrifice of a year in the terrible prison prison for the chance to release a friend. I asked Yaakov Yosef, and he gave his consent immediately, without a hint of reflection. Then I realized the greatness of the boy."
• Who was the matchmaker?

Yudel: "Hashem, but the one who pushed all the time and gave us his blessing was the Rebbe R' David Abuhazera with whom we consulted along the way, and of course Hachid"a Weiss from Antwerp, who has known the boys since the beginning of the episode."

"We received all the blessings of all the Gedolim, and as one who deals with redemption of prisoners, I have seen prisoners who were less time in prison, and were damaged emotionally. The damage can be seen immediately. Baruch Hashem prison only strengthened and shaped the faith and unique personality of my future son in law," says R' Yudel confidently.

The engagement will take place in the Spinka halls on Donolo street. The wedding will be held in the winter, "I and my son in law will also travel to the wedding in Manchester," says the bride's father and runs to prepare the event to be held this evening.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!