Eliezer Zusea Portugal ^People

Beginning in 1945, Portugal began adopting dozens of war orphans and caring for hundreds ofothers. When he was able to move to Bucuresti, Romania, he smug-gled his family in with him and proceeded to adopt even more children, establishing an orphanage for their care. Years later, he wrote in his will that his children should show their appreciation to him by remaining loyal to Judaism and studying Torah atevery possible moment.In 1959, Portugal was accused by the Communist government of Romania of spying for Israel and the United States. He was imprisoned together with his only son, Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Portugal. Mr. Harry Goodman, Rabbi Eliezer Silver and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson led an international effort to free the SkulenerRebbe and his son. Eventually, through the intervention of United States Department of State, the two were freed in the August of 1959.The Rebbe later said that he chose the United States over Israel so he could bet- ter help those who remained in Romania. The Rebbe settled in Crown Heights and continued his efforts helping the underprivileged. As the Jewish population in Crown Heights began to diminish, his followers left to Boro Park and Williamsburg. How- ever, the Skulener Rebberemained in Crown Heights in deference tothe Lubavitcher Rebbes requests of the Jewish population to stay.