March 7, 2010 (21th day of the Month of Adar) marked the 224th anniversary of the passing of Tzaddik Elimelech of Lezajsk. Thousands of Jews from all around the world visited the town this day. Participating in the event were the representatives of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland, which is taking care of the Jewish cemetery in Lezajsk.

Tzaddik Elimelech settled down in Lezajsk in 1772. Being a charismatic leader, he gathered hundreds Chassidic Jews around him. He wrote ‘Noam Elimelech’, one of the most important Chassidic works. Student and successor of Dov Ber of Mezeritch, taught himself numerous illustrious Chassidic leaders, among them Yaakow Yitzchak Horowitz of Lublin, Menachem Mendel of Rymanow and Naftali of Ropczyce.  

18th century Jewish cemetery in Lezajsk was completely destroyed during the World War II. In 1963, thanks to the donations of American Jews the ohel of Tzaddik Elimelech was rebuilt. In 2005 the cemetery returned in the hands of Jewish community.