March 18, 2021 105
הנאהבים והנעימים בחייהם ובמותם לא נפרדו
A PHOTO TRIBUTE TO THE MANY LOST DURING THIS LONG SAD YEAR
PHOTOS FROM TRIBUTES SUBMITTED TO THE FJJ. WE WELCOME SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL NAMES & PHOTOS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS. PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE MORDY MEHLMAN A SAD ANNIVERSARY This week marks a full year since the start of certainly add another meaning to this, for the the Coronavirus Pandemic, a long sad year since year itself has been such an arduous journey. our infamous cover featuring close to 20 niftarim The year began with illness and death, the in one tragic week. It has been a year highlighted city echoing with wailing ambulance sirens. by the epic loss of thousands of acheinu b’nei Hospitals were overflowing, shuls and yeshivos Yisroel, whom we dare not forget. This is why the were closed, offices and stores were shuttered. FJJ has chosen to pay a pictorial tribute to them Pesach Sedorim were spent without children in this week’s issue – to remember the faces and and grandchildren, many lonely individuals souls that were tragically taken from us. celebrating in eerie silence. We quickly realized that life had changed, perhaps forever. The Mishna in Pesochim teaches that at the Seder, we are maschil b’gnus u’mesayem We who are fortunate to have survived the b’shvach – either to recount how we went from mageifa, many who came close to being one of being idol worshippers to avdei Hashem, or the victims, are the shearis hapleitah of corona. from slavery to freedom. This year we can This year more than ever, when saying v’higianu halaila hazeh, we must thank Hashem that we are alive and well at a Seder with family and friends. For so many, there will be all too real Maror at the table – the empty chair of those tragically taken from us. Yet, as the Seder teaches, we remember the sad past but at the same time celebrate a brighter future. For that is the way of Klal Yisroel, forever challenged by adversaries, yet forever rising to the occasion to rebuild and replenish. I was recently visiting a hospital and met a nurse who was working after her paid hours to voluntarily help a family get their loved one released from the hospital. I commended her, to which she responded “life is a cycle…. you never know when it’s your turn.” What an important message, especially as we commemorate those lost from us on this saddest of anniversaries. May it never be our turn, may we be zoche to the coming of Moshiach and be reunited with all those we lost, b’mheirah v’yomeinu omein. MARCH 18, 2021 106 a long sad year
HoRav Dovid Feinstein zt”l Novominsker Rebbe zt"l HoRav Yitzchok Scheiner zt"l HoRav Dovid Soloveichick zt"l
Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Miller zt"l Sasregener Rebbe zt"l HoRav Chaim Dov Keller zt”l HaGaon Rav Zalmin Nechemiah Goldberg zt”l
HoRav Meyer Scheinberg zt"l Rav Yisroel Chaim Menashe Friedman zt”l Rav Shlomo Bentzion Herbst zt”l HoRav Leibel Katz zt"l MARCH 18, 2021 107 עיני עיני ירדה מים
HoRav Yechezkel Roth zt”l Sadigura Rebbe zt”l HaRav Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron zt"l Rav Aharon Chodosh zt”l
Rav Yaakov Busel zt”l HoRav Dovid Olewski zt"l The Verdaner Rebbe zt"l HoRav Yisroel Plutchok zt"l
HoRav Mordechai Marcus zt"l Rabbi Dr. Avrohom Twerski zt”l Rav Eliyahu Meir Sorotzkin zt”l HoRav Yehuda Jacobs zt"l MARCH 18, 2021 108 a long sad year
HoRav Mendel Margulis zt"l HoRav Fabian Schonfeld zt"l HoRav Yehuda Kelemer zt”l HoRav Sheftel Neuberger zt”l
HoRav David Jemal zt"l HoRav Eliyahu Landsberg zt"l HoRav Mordechai Rindenow zt”l HoRav Matis Blum zt"l
HoRav Yitzchok Steinberg zt"l HoRav Shlomo Eluzar Wulliger zt"l Rav Yaakov Levitz zt”l Horav Chaim Yechezkel Shraga Dahan zt"l NOVEMBER 12, 2020 88
מורינומורינו הרה״ג רב דוד פיינשטיין זצ״ל
Leadership in Our Times however, there were other aspects to his leadership that made him great. His words were measured very carefully. In many settings, both private and public, by Nachum Segal he would be much more of a listener than a speaker. His mild mannered and Much is discussed and written about leadership. very humble disposition made him an anomaly for those who expect leaders to Historically, the Jewish people crave e ective, responsible display a certain bravado or ego. Rabbi Feinstein possessed the humility, calm and digni ed leaders. is has been especially evident, and, when necessary, strong demeanor that we hope for in our leaders. again, during the current pandemic when we hold our Rabbi Sacks was not a Rosh Yeshiva like Rabbi Feinstein. His authorship, or- breath hoping that a reasonable and proper voice will atory skills and academic prowess in many areas are what set him apart both in emerge every time someone speaks on our behalf. and outside the role of Chief Rabbi. ere was, however, an additional element is past Shabbat has been a di cult one for the Jewish to his role as Chief Rabbi and scholar. Rabbi Sacks spoke thousands of times. world. Just before Shabbat word spread in our Manhattan He spoke at public celebrations, in the seat of government, in front of kings Lower East Side community and then the world, that the Great Torah Giant and and queens, as a lecturer and debater in friendly and even sometimes hostile Halachic Decisor, Harav Dovid Feinstein, had passed away. Right a er Shabbat environments. ere was something noteworthy about all those appearances. word spread throughout the world of the passing of former UK Chief Rabbi When Rabbi Sacks began a presentation he knew he was representing the Jewish Lord Jonathan Sacks. people and he represented us well. Never did we fear that he would do anything ose of us who knew both rabbis and who are familiar with the followings other than make us proud to be Jews. He gave all of us tremendous pride and they enjoyed can describe the di erences in their constituents, their distinct warmed the collective Jewish heart when he took the stage representing us. His styles of leadership and the contrast of their personalities. However, as we look humility gave him the ability to be a great listener and it was a key element in at the lives of these two distinguished leaders, there are similarities and com- gaining the tremendous respect he received from his vast array of colleagues mon strengths that helped elevate them to their prominent roles. and diverse audiences. Rabbi Dovid Feinstein was all about Torah, halacha and the service of Both of these great rabbis will be missed. We were able to count on them. HaShem. His volumes of sefarim, those that he studied and those that he wrote, Not only as advisors and guides but as representatives of our people. We could are a testament to that. count on them to be models of appropriate demeanor in the public arena and to I have only been his neighbor for 31 years (a rookie by true lower East Sider represent all members of the Jewish faith with pride and dignity. standards) but that’s been enough time to formulate some important observa- e Covid era has reminded us of just how fragile Jewish leadership can be tions. Rabbi Feinstein was sought a er by people, many of them rabbis, from all and how when a void in leadership exists many loudmouths and charlatans can over the world. ey knew that in the great tradition of his father, Rav Moshe, o en easily move into that role. Let us not take our e ective leaders for granted. he was a halachic authority like none other. His ability to apply our centuries As we remember the lives of Rabbi Feinstein and Rabbi Sacks let us emphasize old halachic standards to the most complicated 21st century dilemmas was leg- how seriously they took their leadership roles in the Jewish world and the world endary. He was a true giant, a true leader. Aside from the greatness in that area, in general. MARCH 18, 2021 109
THE PASSING OF עיני עיני ז״ל ירדה Sacks מיםRabbi Jonathan
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: A Personal Tribute penetrating emotion and heartfelt humanity and care for all. Rabbi Naftali Schi / Aish.com at he was possessed of stag- We are devastated by the tragic news of the passing of gering scholarship and awesome Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks this past Shabbat, one of the capability is incontestable. In my greatest leaders of modern times. mind however, it is his steadfast Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was truly a giant. His tow- commitment to unswervingly ering intellect, unparalleled eloquence and erudition made shoulder responsibility as a proud him one of our generation’s greatest spokesperson, touch- Jew and a leader that stands out as ing the minds and hearts of Jew and gentile alike. He was an example to us all. He was dis- one of the most proli c thought leaders of our era, striking armingly candid about his natural a nely tuned synthesis between classic and modern Jewish thought and texts failings and met many an obstacle and the highest secular academia too. His command of both the spoken and in his life, both of a communal and written word were formidable. personal nature. Yet, from the point Like the conductor of a vast orchestra, Rabbi Sacks wove a perfectly synchro- in life at which he made the decision nized symphony spanning from the particular to the universal,HoRav drawing Moshe on Greenberg every zt”lto stand up andRabbi shoulder Adin Steinsaltz a position zt”l Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm zt"l available instrument in G-d’s creation. e score he wrote himself was invariably of leadership, he never stopped a masterpiece of piercing intellectual and emotional depth and insight. communicating G-d’s word to both Well aware of the G-d given potential placed at his disposal, Rabbi Sacks the lo iest of minds and simultane- shouldered his responsibility to inspire Jewish people the world over and man- ously to the man in the street. He kind as a whole. pierced the hearts and minds of both. Seldom does one meet a person who looks themselves in the mirror, has the Rabbi Sacks harnessed his talents to the full in order to maximize his contri- strength of character and integrity of purpose to navigate between their own bution in this world. On many an occasion and at numerous junctures in his life, talents and shortfalls, failures and successes and the courage to share personal with over thirty books on bestsellers lists and every honor and accolade achieved, lessons learned. He possessed the unique ability to combine high intellect with he could have reigned in his enormous workload or simply taken on less. However,
HoRav Tzvi Elimelech Eckstein zt"l Rabbi Dr. Michel Schi enbauer zt”l HoRav Yitzchok Kaplinsky zt”l HoRav Jacob J. Greenberg zt"l
Rav Nachum Cooper zt"l Rav Nachum Dick zt"l Rabbi Dr. Marvin Schick zt"l Rav Avraham Wolfson zt"l MARCH 18, 2021 110 a long sad year
R' Eli Botknecht z"l R' Yosef Mehler z"l Dr. Elliot Samet z"l R' Sholom Hecht z"l
R' Yisroel Hakohen Katz z"l Shmuel Zev (Volvi) Abrahamovits z"l R' Zvi Yehuda Shmidt z"l R' Mayer Greenberg z"l
Saadya Yehoshua Ehrenpreis z"l Rabbi Yitzchak Golombeck z"l R' Yaakov Guttman z"l R' Moshe Rosenblatt z"l MARCH 18, 2021 111 עיני עיני ירדה מים
R' Willy Wiesner z"l R' Mordechai Weiner z"l R' Noach Dear z"l R' Dov Berl Biderman z"l
R' Moshe Semel z"l R’ Binyamin Spitzer z"l R' Pesach Feldman z"l R' Shaya Labowitz z"l
R' Yossi Yurowitz z"l R' Alexander Kauders z"l R' Chaim Shroot z"l R' Peter Weiss z"l MARCH 18, 2021 112 a long sad year
R' Shmuel Deitel z"l R' Zev Stern z”l R' Naftoli Feldman z”l Rabbi I. Nathan Bamberger z”l
R' Harry Trainer z"l R' Baruch Gelfand z"l R’ Max Blumenstein z"l R' Ira Sokol z"l
R' Yitzchok Goldstone z"l R’ Yehuda Singer z”l R' Shmuel Hoch z"l Dr. Sidney Tessler z"l MARCH 18, 2021 113 עיני עיני ירדה מים
R' Moshe Yosef Augenstein z"l Dr. Zalman Yaakov (Sol) Dan z"l R’ Je rey Zell z"l Mr. Meir Loebenstein z"l
IN MEMORY OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS N'SHEI CHAYIL OF OUR COMMUNITIES:
REBBETZIN MALKA KALMANOWITZ A"H YEHUDIS HEIMLICH A”H
REBBETZIN REICHEL BERENBAUM A"H MRS. JEAN TEICHMAN A"H
RABBANIT MIRIAM LEVINGER A"H MRS. FRIEDA KALOWITZ A"H
REBBETZIN SARA HANA KAMINSKY A"H MRS. LUCY BORLAM A"H
REBBETZIN CHAYA NEVENANSKY A"H MRS. BACIA ORZEL A"H
MRS. MILLICENT SILBERMINTZ A"H MRS. RUCHIE KATZ A"H
MRS. MARTA SCHRON A"H MRS. YEHUDIS SHUBERT-FINKELSTEIN A"H
MORAH ROCHEL BLAU A"H MRS. SURIKA MULLER A"H
MRS. DEVORAH LEAH HECHT A"H MRS. SHIRLEY SINGER A"H
MRS. NAOMI KAUFMAN A"H MRS. RIFKA FRIED A"H
MRS. KEILA BLANK A"H ALANA KARP A"H
MRS. GITTEL KAHAN A"H MRS. YVETTE DIAMOND A"H
MRS. MALKA NEUMAN A"H MRS. BASHI RETKINSKI A"H
MRS. BELLA WOLMAN A"H MRS. HEDY SOROKA A"H MARCH 18, 2021 114 a long sad year
MORDY MEHLMAN PUBLISHER'S MESSAGES IN THE YEAR OF CORONA CORONAVIRUS AND THE HOLOCAUST The world is in panic, with Coronavirus everywhere. detrimental to us. Although we must plan ahead, a person must would have been like a hotel for them, in comparison to the Thousands have perished and hundreds of thousands are always remain calm and collected, keeping their head on their barns and cellars they hid in to survive. While we worry about sick around the world. e world is on lock down – Israel shoulders to think things through in a proper manner. Panic toilet paper and sanitizer, they worried about bread and water and America has closed all schools and shuls, most countries and hysteria gets us nowhere. to feed their starving children. While our governments work to have severely limited access at their borders, and airports have While we should be very concerned, we must keep the crisis help us and control the situation, the governments during the become virtual ghost towns. in perspective. e fear that is gripping society, Holocaust worked to round up the Jews and annihilate them. What are we to do? Of course, we must take any and every and our community in particular, got Emunah is what kept the survivors alive during those tragic possible action to contain the virus and limit our exposure to me thinking about the Holocaust years, and it is our strong belief and te llah to Hashem that will others. We must wash our hands with soap and water at every period. Despite our current situation, keep us calm, and get us through these challenging times. opportunity, and sanitize the areas we live and work in. Most it is beyond our comprehension what e crisis has exploded during the months of Adar and importantly, we must daven to Hashem for the protection only our brethren went through during those Nissan, the period of our redemption. May it be the will of He can provide, for Klal Yisroel and the world at large. terrible times. ey were panic stricken for years, Hashem to end this pandemic expeditiously, without further What are we not to do? We must not panic and lose our hunted down like animals and hiding for their illness or loss. May He bring the ultimate redemption we so cool. Rav Pam o en stated that b’holah (extreme confusion) is lives. Quarantine in our comfortable homes sorely need, speedily in time.
THE WORST AND BEST OF TIMES We are living in frightening times! e Coronavirus is challenging times brings out the true person, separating the men their operations, doing everything possible to spreading in our community and around the world, life has from the boys. help those in need. Rabbonim and Rabbeim are become surreal. Shuls and Yeshivos are closed, streets and Unfortunately, some bad apples amongst us are helping to make teaching Torah to us and our children by phone stores are empty, those who dare venture out for vital reasons this the worst of times. Despite our Rabbonim begging us to rise and video conferencing. e chats are bursting with are masked and gloved for protection. to the challenge and stay calm and collected, price gouging and shiurim and messages of chizuk and inspiration. Just moments We are living a real-life science ction movie, hunkered panic buying are occurring. Instead of focusing on prevention and ago, my elderly mother’s next door neighbor called me to check down in our homes, our society virtually destroyed overnight. Jewish unity, self-hating media outlets like e Forward and JTA on her, and insisted on bringing her fresh home cooked food. e festivities and achdus of Purim just two short weeks ago, are spreading lashon hara about the Orthodox community, with Mi k’amcha Yisroel! seem like a very distant past, in a very distant time. no obvious purpose other than disgracing us in public. eir posts Ein lanu l’hishaein ela al avinu she’bashomayim – Hashem is In times like this, both the best and worst of humanity have gone viral, and can chas vshalom increase anti-Semitism and our only hope. Now is a time for te lla, for unity, for trust in come to the fore. As Chazal teach, a person can be judged ill feeling towards all Jewish people, themselves included. Hashem, coupled with hope for the future. If we ever needed ‘b’kisso, b’kosso, b’kaaso’ – when it a ects his wallet, when Baruch Hashem, the virus crisis has brought out the best Moshiach to come, now is the time! is Nissan, in the month he is inebriated, and when he is angry. How a person acts in in Klal Yisroel as well. Chessed organizations are ramping up of geulah, may we be zoche to it, and the very best of times!
APPRECIATING OUR BLESSINGS is week throughout the world, Jewish families will not I once heard a Rav Pam, zt”l, once spoke at a Seudos Hodoah after gather around the Seder table due to the Coronavirus. Families remarkable dvar Torah returning from a prolonged illness. He said: “I give personal will be split apart, forced to stay home and make their own from Rav Yaakov thanks for all those things that seem commonplace to us. In Sedorim. Nevertheless, we would be wise to contemplate and Elya Unsdorfer, shlita, truth, they are all chasdei Hashem. It’s just that at times we only appreciate all the good – our spouses, our children, our extended discussing the Chazal realize and understand this a er recovering from a serious family, our homes, our spiritual accomplishments – blessings that “Kasha zivugin k’kriyas illness.” Hashem has customized for each and every one of us. By doing yam suf”. He asked – is Rav Avigdor Miller, zt”l, once explained that we begin so, our Seder will have more meaning, our lives will be enriched. anything truly hard for Hashem? And what is the connection davening each day with “Hodu l’Hashem ki tov”, to teach us that e story is told of a man who was seen crying profusely at between making a shidduch and crossing the Red Sea? e Rov we must thank Hashem when times are good, not just when we the Kosel. He was approached by concerned onlookers who o ered answered that Hashem cherishes the t e l l o s of tzadikim, the experience salvation from hardships. to solve his problems, be they nancial, sholom bayis, shidduchim, heartfelt t e l l o s of every Jew. When Klal Yisroel was being chased So this Pesach, despite the hardships and loneliness, thank health, or any other crisis. He smiled at them and said he wasn’t by the Egyptians and up against the sea, they poured out their Hashem for the big and small things in life. Dayeinu, the song of crying because of any problem, rather crying in appreciation to hearts in prayer. When a person needs a shidduch, they pour appreciation, will sound better than ever! Hashem for all his blessings. On that very night, he and his wife out their hearts in prayer. e “di culty” for Hashem is giving May Hashem rid us of this terrible pandemic, and lead us to the had married o their youngest of many children, and he was up those t e l l o s , the t e l l o s which usually stop when Hashem ultimate geulah of Nissan, the coming of Moshiach. We need it now praying that everything remains status quo. is man understood provides the salvation. Our task then is to continue the t e l l o s a e r more than ever! his blessings, and enriched his life with appreciation to Hashem. the salvation, turning them into prayers of gratitude to Hashem.
WHY I CRIED FOR THE REBBE I am not a talmid, not a mispallel, not a chosid, not a relative. when I coordinated the groundbreaking and chanukas habayis is the person who is shivro – So why did I cry profusely upon learning of the Novominsker for his new yeshiva building, despite the fact that I was almost broken because of Hashem, Rebbe’s sudden petirah? half his age and a fraction of his stature. I was honored to be meaning that he is exhausted e answer is multi-faceted, just like the Rebbe was. He hired by the Rebbe personally to coordinate the historic visit to and worn out from his work for was ve people in one – a loving Rebbe, an inspirational Rov, America by Rav Shteinman zt"l and the Gerrer Rebbe shlit"a, Hashem and his people. is a caring Rosh Yeshiva, a legendary Mechaber Seforim, and a and will never forget the devotion and great sacri ce he invested was the Novominsker Rebbe- trailblazing leader as Rosh Agudas Yisroel. Rarely in our lives to make the trip a success, as well as the great and humble kavod exhausted and weakened have we encountered such an all-encompassing individual, he exhibited to these Gedolei Yisroel. My undeserved bonus was through his sel ess sacri ce to a heavenly human being, who loved and cared for all of Klal the Rebbe surprising me by coming to dance at my daughter's help the Jewish people - yet grati ed to have devoted his life to Yisroel, his feet rmly rooted on this earth. He was a true sulam chasuna, the way he was misameiach thousands despite his very them. Such a tzaddik goes straight to Gan Eden and will surely mutzav artzah, verosho magiah hashomayma. demanding schedule. be a meilitz yosher for klal Yisroel in these trying times. rough my work in the klal, I was zoche to numerous Rabbi Moshe Sherer z"l once told me a beautiful vort which e day a er 9/11, the New York Times Quote of the Day private encounters with the Rebbe. I saw the agony etched on his is so tting for the Novominsker Rebbe, zt”l. In pesukei d'zimra was from the Rebbe, who said “It is not just a world without the face when he and I visited Rav Pam, zt”l, in the hospital during we praise the person who is sivro al Hashem Elokov – who leans Twin Towers, it is now a di erent world”. We lost e Rebbe. his nal illness. I was so taken by the respect he showed to me on Hashem for support. He explained homiletically – lucky We lost our tower. It’s a di erent world. MARCH 18, 2021 115 עיני עיניעיני עיני ירדה ירדהמים מים
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Agudah Azkarah For עיני עיני ירדה מים Novominsker Rebbe Page 62
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