SHEVAT, 5737 /JANUARY, 1977 VOLUME XII, NUMBER 2 THE EWISH SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS BS ERV ER
a car on an icy road DIMENSIONS OF A TRAGEDY
a Rosh Yeshiva comments ANOTHER VIEW ON THE DAY SCHOOL, USA ! a Torah pioneer in colonial America GERSHOM MENDES SEIXES
a Rebbe takes leave in Antwerp REB ITZIKEL, i1!>.,!:lr, i''i~ .,::>T
second looks WOMEN IN THE ISRAELI ARMY THE GOVERNMENT FALLS
letters THE JEWISH OBSERVER
in this issue
THE JEWISH OBSERVER is pub!is,hed monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman St., New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription· Dimensions of a Tragedy I Nisson Wolpin 3 $7.50 per year; Two years, $13.00; Three years, $18.00; outside of the United States $8.50 per year. The Day Schools: Another View I Meir Belsky 5 Single copy seventy-five cents. . Printed in the U.S.A. The Day Schools: A Postscript - The Way Things Really Are Elchonon Oberstein 7
RABB! NrssoN WOLP!N Editor A Homegrown Torah Pioneer in America: Gershom Mendes Seixas I Shmuel Singer 9 Editorial Board DR ERNST l. BODENHEIMER Mrs. Rosenberg's Yeshiva I Yisroel Miller 12 Chairman RABBI NATHAN BULMAN Remembering Reb ltzikel I Pinchos Jung 15 RABB! JOSEPH EL!AS )OSEPH FR!EDENSON Second Looks at the Jewish Scene RABBI MOSHE SHERER Girls in the Israeli Army - A Crisis? I Ezriel Toshavi 19 The Neo-Hellenists, Shabbos, and Fall of the Government THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Ezriel Toshavi 22 Kashrus of any product or ser A Home for the 'Talit' 23 vice advertised in its pages. Letters to the Editor 24 JAN. 1977 VOL. XII, No. 2 Typography by Compu-Scribe at ArtScroll Studios, Ltd. Nisson Wolpin The Dimensions of a Tragedy
Based on some thoughts expressed in two chapters in Michtav Me'Eliyahu, Vol. Ill
THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT that took the lives of five personality strikes us in its absence - partly because of shochtim and kashrus supervisers last month shocked the vacuum that is left in the wake of his death, partly the religious community. All hearts were deeply because the incident of his death, in itself, prompts us touched by the personal dimension of the tragedy, in to evaluate his gifts and what he meant to us. which young families were struck, leaving some thirty So the survivors are jolted into an attempt at filling children orphans, their mothers widows. the vacuum, which has two effects: we more fully ap Details filtered out, regarding an imminent simcha in preciate the greatness of the tzaddik after his passing one family, a recent death in another, the total than we ever did during his lifetime; and we actually dependency on the father as much more than bread respond to his inspiring personality with even greater winner in yet other families; the men's expertise at their accomplishments in his absence than we did while he craft, the deep ehrlichkeit and religious fidelity with was alive. which they had discharged their obligations, personal "The Sins of the Generation" histories of decades of total dedication to Torah study in Lakewood and other kolelim ... all contributing to PERHAPS THIS CAN THROW some light on another rather the sharpness of the pain of the terrible loss. ambiguous statement in the Talmud: "Tzaddikim are Within days of the accident, the many segments of caught in the sins of the generation" (Shabbos 33b). the Orthodox community were galvanized to attempt to This is a difficult concept - in our own range of ex raise large sums of money to at least soften the financial perience and observation, and all the more so in earlier blows to the families, to whatever extent possible. times, because great men of spirit are invariably so far above the petty pitfalls that ensnare others of their There is another level of the tragedy that is not too time. For instance, if one were to select a single spiritual easily detected, nor so quickly dealt with. The deaths of malaise in mid-20th Century America as "the sin of the so many outstanding men in one bold stroke simply generation," it might well be a pursuit of material cannot be dismissed as happenstance. If "one does not pleasures and comforts, while ignoring Torah values, strike his finger below unless it has so been ordained forgetting spiritual goals. And if there was ever a group above" (Chulin 7:1), then surely it should be boldly ap of men that succeeded in remaining above the morass of parent that a loss of such proportions is fore-ordained, American materialism it wa~ the corps of Torah giants and for reasons that G-d deems necessary. who built Torah institutions of pre-War European We do not pretend to see beyond the tragedy to calibre in post-War America, introducing by both ex detect causes. But the reasons are there, and somehow a ample and instruction the fullest dedication to Torah, suitable response is expected of us. totally foreign to this pragmatic culture. Could one say that Reb Reuvain Grozovsky, Reb Elya Meir Bloch, or When a T zaddik Dies Reb Aharon Kotler i1J1J~ tll11JT were in any way CHAZAL (the rabbis of blessed memory) commented on whatsoever ensnared in the sin of materialism of their the death of men of unusual righteousness: "Tzad generation? dikim are greater in their death than during their - Unless one is to understand this Talmudic quote in lifetime" (Chulin 7:1). Too often, we do not assess the a different way: At times, the people of a particular many facets of a tzaddik's activities - his immersion in generation may fail to learn from the exemplary con Torah study, his extraordinary views on life, the lofty duct of their leadership, so involved are they in the "sin selfless mode of conduct of his day-to-day affairs, his of their generation." The hashgacha - the Divine prescient leadership ... embodying Torah in a very tem governance - is then faced with a dilemma kaveyachol poral world. Our dealings, our awareness of his (as if one could employ such a term). Outstanding per greatness is limited to a fragment here, another aspect sonalities are planted in their respective generations to there. By contrast, when he dies the full scope of his teach very specific lessons, to correct the sins of the
The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 3 generation. When the people respond to their presence, compensate for lost opportunities ... , When the one all is fine. That is as it should be; the sins of the genera who is taken away is a younger member of the group - tion are corrected. By contrast, when the people fail to one who has not yet realized his potential - it is to call take inspiration from the presence of the tzaddik of attention to shortcomings in involving him in the their times, they must be forced into evaluating his group's assigned task. greatness - when all else fails, with his death .... The hashgacha must resort to the tzaddik's greater impact in The six men who were travelling the icy stretch of death as compared to the lesser impact of his living highway between Brooklyn and their destination in presence. Pennsylvania that pre-dawn Monday, certainly repre sent a commonality beyond their particular profession. Because of the sins of the generation - its limitations A commonality that we, the survivors, share - or in appreciating the tzaddik - he is ensnared: he does should aspire to share. We all may belong to various not fully succeed in teaching by living example, only by clubs, groups and associations. But above all, we are the vacuum that ensues after his passing. members of the Torah community, assigning to Torah • • • study and fastidious mitzva observance the highest priority, seeing them as the very core of our existence This discussion may well relate directly to the five ... or do we? who so tragically were killed. Moreover, it can guide us Each of the six men in the ill-fated car represented a in viewing the Divine patterns that often underlie the very high calibre segment of this community. Not that seemingly inexplicable, and lead us to search for yet they necessarily relished their professions. Few people more enlightening remarks of Chazal. really enjoy being a shochet. The work itself is strenuous - a monotonous, repetitious, physical labor. One of the Group The responsibility is awesome - being accountable for REBBE CHIYA BAR ABBA said, Rebbe Yochanan said: the kashrus of the food consumed by thousands of peo Should one of a group die, then the rest of the group ple. The conditions are unpleasant - spending the good should be apprehensive . ... Some say this refers to the part of the week away from home. Yet people do work head of the group, others say it refers to the least as shochtim - because it is imperative that the com member (Shabbos 105b). munity have shochtim. And because these men in that The gifts and talents, strengths and weaknesses with car could not conceive of themselves engaged in any ac which a person is endowed - his financial assets or tivity other than one that revolves around Torah: liabilities, the myriad circumstances of a person's life - Torah study, propagation of Torah, or safeguarding of all are means with which he is charged to manifest mitzva observance. "kovod Shomayim." Riches - whether of material or We - the survivors - have been very deeply jolted abstract value - ideally should be understood as gifts by this traumatic ripping away from us of men who coming directly from G-d, to be used in His service. were unusually dedicated to their calling, exceptionally When used in this manner, they express man's self gifted in their craft. How often do we ponder on the negation in deference to G-d's glory. And poverty, or sense of obligation to klal that drives men to accept the personal limitations are understood as obstacles to be hardships of such a calling, because they realize that as overcome - or to be endured, as ordained by G-d. beneficiaries of klal they have a debt to pay! How many A company of men, a community, consists of in of us recognize such a debt - contrasting the America dividuals who share a common purpose - either by the of 1976 with that of 1956 with that of 1936, and very nature of the society that embraces them, or by marvelling at how excellence in Torah education and, likeness in personality or background. Regardless of yes, kashrus observance have become so much an ac the formal or informal nature of the group, its members cepted feature of life because of the broad Torah com are bonded together by some commonality of purpose: munity, its dedicated leaders and its cadre of selfless and this is meant to develop a specific type of action servants! And then, how many of us are impelled to act that brings to the fore their own brand of kovod on this debt of gratitude to the point that it dwarfs petty Shomayim, in accordance with the gifts, talents or personal considerations, ambitions, and plans l powers invested in them. There is not much that we can do to fill the void in On occasion, such a unit may fail in its assigned task. the families so tragically smitten. There is not much How can its members be awakened to rise to their ideal that we can do to replace the services of these men in role 1 There are many methods. There are even times their chosen field of klal service. But there is much - when the hashgacha may deem it necessary, according very much - that each of us can do to fill the shortcom to His supreme wisdom, to withdraw a leading member ings within each one of us in our recognition of our of the group, to force its members to assess their role as noblesse oblige to that klal that sustains us, and in our he personified it ... to appreciate their immediate loss as actions to compensate for our own lack of dedicated ac well as their long-term laxity ... to mobilize forces to tivity. !..T.
4 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 The Day Schools in the U.S. ANOTHER VIEW A veteran Torah Educator, RABBI MEIR BELSKY, gives an insider's view of what's right and what's wrong with day school education.
Miracles and Myths Every organized agency in America has designs on the LIKE THE TALKING DOG ACT, the miracle of the Day Day School, with programs to subvert it to their own School Movement is not in how well they have done, ends. From the Holocaust to falafel, from Hebrew to but in the fact that they could do it at all. Given the con touring Israel, every group has its own priorities for the ditions of Jewish communties in America - all Jewish Day School, and its machinery to bring pressure upon communities, large and small - it is truly a miracle that the Day School to achieve these priorities. any day school survived, let alone prospered. For prosper they did - every day school community has Underestimating the Potential students in yeshivos who are bnei Torah, every day 0DDL Y ENOUGH, among these myths is one that may school community has ba'ale teshuvah, and ever day well be at the root of a major mistake made by the early school community has a dedicated group of laymen Day School pioneers - one from which flowed the committed to its welfare. The day school everywhere rationale for most Day School failures. This mistake has touched the deep nerve of Jewish commitment to was to underestimate the deep subconscious committ Jewish learning, and has prospered. ment many Jews had for Torah scholarship despite Many myths grew up around the Day School, which their own lack of observance in their personal lives. By are now being questioned. There were those who ex underestimating this committment, and equating it to pected the Day School to "conquer the community," the level of religious behavior, the decision was made to But it was never explained why this was expected - "go slow" in the religious process. The same patience since all the Torah talent in New York City never suc that was shown with Shabbos, tzitzis, and kashrus ceeded in conquering New York, not its synagogues, became the guide for the curriculum as well. Thus, nor its cemetery committees, nor its kashrus, nor its neither Chumosh nor Gemora was pushed - in fact, no Federation of Jewish Philanthropies with its Jewish pushing at all took place. The "Judaism can be Education Committee, nor even its schools. The beautiful" syndrome included "learning can be fun." "Ramaz and Flatbush" type of schools still have their The Day School saw itself as the fountainhead for prototypes in New York City. Yiddishkeit, and its goals were developed in religious Another myth is responsible for the furor raised by terms, This was a mistake. Though the road to religious Or, Fried's study. This study would suggest there is change was slow and tedious, and involved the Day such a thing in Jewish America as communitier with a School with the synagogue in some form of power strong Torah constituency which protects the Day struggle, I believe the road to Torah learning was wide School, and it is being weakened by Conservative open. Had Day Schools become the force for ac infiltration. But the existence of such an Orthodox con celerated Torah scholarship, had we heeded the stituency is a myth, perhaps purposeful for syn Midrash - "Let them forget Me, but devote themselves agogues, but totally irrelevant for the Day School. to Torah study, for the light of Torah learning will There is scarcely one community outside the major bring them back" - then I think the day school suc Torah centers where a Torah committed constituency cess story would have been a far more dramatic one. ever existed; nor was the Torah ideology of the Day Then the thrust of the Day School would have been to School ever protected by an Orthodox leadership. reach a far broader ci
The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 5 The Only Criterion: Continuation combat the often fierce anti-intellectualism that is part THOUGH THESE MYTHS may have helped limit the of the American culture - which, when turned against influence and impact of the Day School, they are not Gemora scholarship, becomes anti-Yeshiva. This can be crucial to the basic problem facing the Day School to done in many ways, but must always begin with the day. The real issue, and the only yardstick for measur principal and faculty, who must see themselves as ing Day School success, is its graduates' continuation scholars, and show pride in scholarship. My impression on to the mesifta-yeshiva high school level. Nothing is that most day schools pride themselves upon else really matters. Obviously, it would be better if day religious achievement - Shabbos, Brochos Bees, tzitzis, schools did a more adequate teaching job, and the etc. - without any show of equal pride with graduates came better prepared - there are still day scholarship, other than the common claim to excellence schools that teach no Gemora at all - but this is only a that all day schools make. preference. Prepared or not, let them come. And happi Conflicting Visions of the Mesivta High School ly, neither the myths nor the statistics have any in THE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING the yeshiva high school fluence over the question of whether children will go to yeshiva high school. itself do not lend themselves to simple or generalized solutions. Too much has been made over the question Admittedly, no school controls completely all the of regional versus local high school, or dormitory factors that go into a parental decision to send children versus home facilities. These are not the essential issues to yeshiva high school. Nor does the school control the at all - we have had years when our best bachurim decision as to which yeshiva high school children will were local students, who lived at home. Nor does the select. However, there is much that the day school can dormitory lack opportunities for mischief and batolo do - administratively, socially, and communally. All (time wasting). It is instructive to recall Reb ltzel Peter Day Schools should proclaim, publicly and consistent burger's comment, when told that his talmidim read ly, that their goals are to matriculate children into newspapers: "If they learn, then it will be no problem. yeshiva high school. Instead of all the claims and com Should they stop learning, then they can climb into the mitments to excellence that appear on Day School aron-kodesh alongside the Torah scrolls and still read stationery, Day Schools should candidly admit that un the newspapers there by light of a match." Of the five less all children continue into yeshiva high school, their regional high schools listed in The Jewish Observer, program failed. (Certainly this would be true if the ma and noted with "optimism as a healthy step in the right jority of students would drop out of secular elementary direction," at least one does not even call itself Yeshiva; schools before completing high school.) Torah and some may be funded by sources not publicly Umesorah should do more to prepare all the material known. Experience has taught us the importance of and slogans necessary, and should take the initiative by public disclosure of funding sources. including this message on all their own material as well. The real issue in dealing with the problems of the 7th & 8th Grades: Mesivta-Prep yeshiva high school has been noted in the Observer ar ALL DAY SCHOOL SCHEDULES should call for increased ticle. The real question, the real problem is our image of hours - and Sunday attendance - in the 7th and 8th the mesivta high school, our perception of what it really grades. This would soften the shock of going from a is. Is it a continuation of the day school: its 9th, 10th, six-seven hour school day to the nine-thirteen hour 11th, and 12th grades? - or is it the lower school of a mesivta high school day. The study of Gemora should yeshiva gedola? be intensified in these classes, also, and the intensifica Interestingly, a growing hostility between the day tion should be presented as a mesivta-high school school and the mesivta high school is discernible; program. reminiscent of the early hostility between the day The social life of day school upperclassmen should school and the community, with the same language be be discouraged - I am always startled at the amount of ing used. The mesivta is seen by the day school as" too boy-girl activities in the upper grades. These are ob frum," "too intensive," "too isolated and isolating," viously poor ways to prepare for the tznius (personal "too elitist." There are day schools that blame the modesty and restraint) of the yeshiva high school. It is mesivtos for the day school's failures to enroll larger not enough for the principal to claim that he" asked the numbers of students, even in the lower grades, sug shaila (halachic query) and it is permissible." This kind gesting ironically that the mesivta gives the day school of shaila-asking, says the Ramban in Kedoshim, leads a bad image! What is even more startling is that there to becoming a "naval birshus haTorah."• There is no are day school graduates who enter the mesivta with day school program that would not be improved if this this day school-bred hostility, and ~xhibit resentment Ramban were applied more often. toward the Bais Midrash, resisting attempts to as Most important, the day school should seek ways to similate within the Bais Mid rash. It is this thinking that is providing the push for the yeshiva high school to *Literal transla.tion: Degenerate within the confines of the Law. become an extension of the day school, and thus quiet
6 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 all these fears of the "too much." Quality Control And, obviously, there are already those who do see the yeshiva high school as the beginning of the yeshiva SOME YEARS AGO, THE yeshivas gedolos became concerned over the need for formal and professional ac gedola, as entering the new world of bnei Torah - of creditation for their Bais Mid rash learning programs. In hats and jackets, cholov Yisroel, and night seder - their many relationships with government agencies, the where the entire thrust of the program is lhe primacy and grandeur of Torah learning. Whether this accep yeshivas are viewed in the same category as colleges tance of the new world of grown up learning includes a and universities. It thus became imperative to set up ac creditation procedures to establish the higher conscious, or sub-conscious, criticism of the day school, and its curriculum and public relations anx educational nature of schools of Torah scholarship, and to gain for them recognition as a separate entity on ieties, is irrelevant. Their only concern is to begin, in equal footing with schools of secular scholarship. These the 9th grade, with the serious matter of yegiah procedures had to be highly professional, and had to be baTorah (diligence in Torah study). acceptable to the educational bureaucracy. The As This may not be the time nor the place to argue these sociation of Advanced Rabbinic and Talmudic Schools two images of, and visions for, the yeshiva high school - AARTS - came into being, and had received U.S. - but it should be obvious that the two are incompati Office of Education approval to accredit quite a few ble and irreconcilable. The claim to espouse both, speak leading yeshivos. Thus in AARTS, there exists the out for both, program for both, represent both, is one of line of what Torah learning should look like and be like those unhappy illusions that Jews have a propensity for in terms of curriculum and administration, with the (in their eagerness to avoid machlokes?). added, not inconsiderable, prestige of professional It is also abundantly clear that America is truly a free recognition. country - and that every kind of high school can be started. We could no more stop them than we stopped By using the AARTS guidelines, the yeshiva high the Solomon Schechter Schools from starting. What we schools could be freed from having to independently can do is strengthen those mesivta high schools that decide curricular goals and administrative procedures. reflect the historic needs of Kial Yisroel, and the By adapting its methods to high school needs, every prophetic wishes of the Gedolei Yisroel, and make sure yeshiva high school could apply for AARTS accredita that their standards and goals are clear and vigorously tion. This would have a profound impact upon the pursued. The yeshivas gedolos have a major role to broad segment of our population that, correctly, is play in workfrig with the yeshiva high schools to impressed with educational integrity. And we would be fashion a strong identity. What is most fascinating is assured that every yeshiva high school claiming to be a that the means to do this already exists, in a classic ex yeshiva high school - will verily be a yeshiva high ample of preparing the solution in anticipation of the school. In this most imperfect world of ours - an alma problem. d'shikra - this is the most we can hope for. kT.
Elchonon Oberstein A POSTSCRIPT COMMUNITY CONTROLLED DAY SCHOOLS: THE WAY THINGS ARE
The writer of the following lines has spent the past topic have dealt with the fullest range of day schools, half dozen years as a mechanech in day schools "in the from the traditional yeshiva ketana to the community field" in several smaller communities - currently in Al controlled schools with leftist leanings, Rabbi Obers lentown, Pennsylvania. While other discussions on the tein addresses his remarks to conditions in the latter.
THE DAY SCHOOL MOVEMENT in sible, and of popularizing the con by additional flags on a map and the America has passed through its in cept of the dual curriculum within heady exultation of what this would itial generation of rapid growth, of one school. The time when ac portend for the next generations has establishing schools wherever pos- complishments could be recorded passed. Today American
The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 7 Orthodoxy is called upon to re dishkeit weaker than would be numerous individuals who are un evaluate and to re-assess its necessary to offset changes. easy about the assumptions of their priorities and indeed to examine the own past and are open to greater validity of a number of concepts The Conservative Clout Jewish tradition in their lives. By that have prevailed in the first Conservative Judaism is a major sending their children to a day "pioneering" generation of power in the Jewish community. school, parents have made a com American Day School education. These people can not be dismissed mittment, conscious or uncon American Orthodoxy can be with condescension. Many day scious, to greater involvement in defined in various ways. Yet we school parents themselves attended their Jewish identity. But, along must never lose sight of two facts: elementary day schools and are not with this, the. average day school there are only approximately naive about the "hidden agenda" of parent is firmly acculturated and to 250,000 Shomrei Shabbos out of Orthodox education. They are on a large extent assimilated into the 5,500,000 American Jews. On the the the look-out for it and will resist mainstream of American life. Their other hand Orthodoxy represents, efforts to turn "community yearning for tradition should not be in Leibman's words, "the last schools" - where their children interpreted as a willingness to adopt vestige of Jewish passion" in make up the student body and their an "alien" life style. Jewish American Jewry. What are the goals money maintains the school - into Orthodoxy, as found in certain of American Orthodoxy vis-a-vis Orthodox proselytising outposts. In pockets of certain cities, has no the total Jewish community? most communities, the Orthodox more chance of becoming the synagogue does not have the finan typical Jewish way of life in One view frequently enunciated cial clout sufficient for younger America than the Agudath Israel is that Day Schools will change members with day school age has of winning the next Knesset communities, that large numbers of children to control community wide elections. American Jews will become obser schools and dictate the curriculum. A Matter of Individuals vant of halacha through their The declining birth rate and the child's exposure to Torah Judaism financial crunch portends more, not This is not a rosy picture of the from the ages of five to twelve years less, "community wide" - schools, community day school population old. This is naive, unfounded, and especially considering that the day - and its general constituency. I believe it to be quite accurate - but simply a pipe dream. It school parent of today is different demonstrates a condescending at from the parents of the original it is not the entire story. There are titude towards other forces within "yeshiva ketana" type schools. His two major factors that cannot be the religious segment of the Jewish life style tends to be less traditional subjected to statistical analysis, and Establishment and ignores the than his parent's. There are pockets have little place on ideological sociological and psychological of hope, side by side with these demographic tables. One is the gratifying success that a mechanech reasons for the present lack of mass darker aspects of the picture - the Orthodoxy in Judaism and indeed remarkable growth of a new genera can occasionally achieve with a in all Western religions (lehavdil). tion of native Americans totally single responsive student, whose The vast majority of day school committed to Orthodox living. To thirst for knowledge can carry him parents outside of certain schools the extent that a community has a on to mesivtos and beyond. As far are non-observant. The majority of population of young Orthodox as the teacher is concerned, it makes children in most schools do not Jews who are active in the financial all his efforts and frustrations receive enough exposure to the and cultural leadership of the com worthwhile. It can answer the totality of halachic living within munity, the day school can feel gnawing question: "Why did I ever their elementary school years to de secure enough to reach out for leave Boro Park, anyway?" mand that their parents change greater committment to observance. The other factor is the their life-styles. Most Jewish But, as was pointed out, enrolling charismatic leader who can enter a children leave the day school well one's child in a day school does not hostile community as rabbi, prin before they have reached the ag< necessarily reflect aspirations for cipal, or teacher, and can turn it when they are capable of "rebel immersion in a Torah way of life. right side up. I've had the privilege ling" against their parent's non of working with such people who Misreading Parental Intentions observant life style. In short, there can enter the worst of situations and are two major handicaps faced by American Jewry is going through bring forth "yokor mizoleil" gold day school educators: the children a crisis of massive proportions. from dross. leave the school too soon; and even Everyone recognizes the alarming In sum, the general complexion while they are in the school, com rise of intermarriage and what this may be quite discouraging, but one munity and parental control of the tells us about the inner weakness of has no choice but to work, and pray curriculum make the dosage of Yid- our community. There are for miracles. They happen. !.T.
8 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 Shmuel Singer
1776: A Homegrown Tor ah Pioneer in America Gershom Mendes Seixas
MAINTAINING JEWISH LIFE in Colonial America, which a large family that played a major role in the American began over a hundred years before the Revolutionary Jewish world over the following century. War, was always a struggle. By 1776, only 2,500 Jews The young Gershom received both his Jewish and were scattered in various settlements dotting the secular schooling in New York City. Kahal Shearith countryside - in New York, Rhode Island, Penn Israel, the New York kehilla, had for some time main sylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia. Yet out of this tained a school teaching both religious and general sub handful of pioneers we find a number of fascinating jects to children, with the chazan of the community personalities well worth studying - and emulating. Un serving as teacher. No permanent rabbis served doubtedly, a leading force behind Torah observance in Colonial America - perhaps because the kehillos had colonial America was Gershom Mendes Seixas trouble attracting scholars willing to live at what was (pronounced Seishas). He was chazan and general then, literally, the other end of the earth. True, visiting religious functionary in New York City's Kahal rabbis, such as Chacham Karigal, occasionally Shearith Israel, but his activities on behalf of Torah remained for a time to serve temporarily as local rav. were spread all over the countryside. This, however, was rare. Generally, the chazan of the The Marrano's Son community was also teacher, preacher and usually GERSHOM MENDES SEIXAS was born in New York on shochet (ritual slaughterer) and mohel (circumciser) as January 14, 1745. His father, Isaac Mendes Seixas, had well. Not having semicha, he could not be called "rab lived as a Marrano in Lisbon, Portugal, until he escaped bi," but resorted to the title "minister." Many of the to New York. At that time the various communities of chazanim, however, were scholars with a deep dedica the New World were major places of refuge for Mar tion to Torah observance. ranos fleeing Spain and Portugal. In New York, Isaac The chazan of Shearith Israel at this time was Joseph Seixas married the American-born Rachel Levy, Jessurun Pinto. He was originally from Amsterdam, daughter of Moses Levy, a very wealthy German where he had studied in the Sephardi yeshiva. When a Ashkenazi immigrant, who had become parnass vacancy occurred in New York in 1758, the officers of (president) of the New York kehilla. They came to head the kehilla wrote to the Sephardi community in London requesting "a young man of good morals and strictly
RABBI SINGER is Rav of the Young Israel of Eltingville in Staten Island, religious" to serve as their chazan. Pinto, 29 at the time, N. Y., and a Rosh Yeshiva in the Hebrew Academy of Nassau was recommended and accepted the position. He left his Courtty. He is a frequent contributor to these pages. Hance in London, commissioning Dayan David de
The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 9 Castro of London to be his shaliach (proxy) and af Initiating Programs fiance her in his absence. She later followed her hus IN 1802, a Jewish stranger who died in New York was band to New York. buried in Potters Field. When Seixas learned of this, he During Pinto's tenure in New York, he drafted an of was shocked and immediately organized the "Hebra ficial Jewish calendar for New York with the local times Hased Va'Amet," the first free burial society for the for the beginning and end of Shabbos and holidays. Jewish alien and stranger. In 1798 Seixas had also led From his letters, which contain numerous quotes from the way in founding "Kalfe Sedaka Mattan Besether" the Talmud and Midrash, it is apparent that he was (Fund for Charity and Anonymous Gifts) to help local something of a talmid chacham, It was from Pinto that poor as well as needy in Eretz Yisroel. In an appeal in Gershom Seixas learned Torah. 1807 for the Kalfe Sedaka, he stated "There is not a prophet from Moses to Malachi ... but what takes Filling the Pinto Vacancy notice of the remarkable events that have attended us, from the commencement of our general captivity, even IN 1766 Pinto left for Europe ostensibly on family unto the present day. Twice have we been redeemed ac matters, but actually to become chazan of the Sephardi cording to the sacred history and we have every reason community in Hamburg. The New York position to expect, the third time is rapidly approaching when remained unfilled until July 1768, when Gershom we shall be established forever." Seixas, then only twenty-three, applied for it. He was the only American-born candidate for the position - Seixas emphasized the imminent coming of actually the first American ever to apply for klei kodesh Moshiach and the end of the Exile in speeches - competing with several foreign candidates. Seixas' s throughout his career. He may have felt that the credentials: he had been taught by Pinto, and was fully success of the Revolution which granted equal rights qualified as chazan, shochet and mo he I. Although not a to Jews, made it essential that he remind his people that musmach (ordained rabbi), he seems to have been well they were still in golus. Indeed, there was a decline in learned and possessed a strong commitment to Jewish religious observance and commitment among American values. Seixas was accepted. Jews following the Revolution. Thus, in 1789, (in a sermon entitled "A Religious Discourse") he pointed In 1775 he married Elka'la, daughter of Abraham out that attainment of civil rights did not signify the Cohen, an Ashkenazi immigrant. Ten years later, after end of "the captivity." From 1799 to 1807 we have a having borne four children, Elka'la died. Seixas then string of sermons, reflecting a growing religious married Hannah Manuel who brought nine more neglect, in which he appealed to his fellow-Jews to children into the Seixas family. return to full Torah observance, and thereby fulfill a condition for redemption. Again, in a Thanksgiving In Flight From the British Day sermon given in 1804, he reminded his listeners IN AUGUST, 1776, when it was clear that the British that "G-d will gather us again from all corners of the army would occupy New York, Gershom Seixas, a earth ... and reinstate us in our former possessions." strong supporter of the American Revolution, led the congregation in leaving the city. He took the sifrei Torah and other religious objects with him to Stratford, The Financial Squeeze Connecticut, where he remained until 1780. In 1781 he GERSHOM SEIXAS had continual salary problems with was invited to serve as chazan at the Sephardi con his congregation. His pay was indeed quite meager and gregation, Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. He remained he was forced to subsist on a poverty line income. In in Philadelphia for a number of years and helped the 1803, his salary was $500 a year while the shochet (who local community grow. In 1782 he led the construction had meanwhile been employed separately) received of a new synagogue building there. $250, and the shammas $125. In 1808, after much ef When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, many fort, his annual salary was raised to $750. He did Jewish refugees from New York returned home and receive extra income as an occasional shochet and began reconstructing Jewish life there. An exchange of mohel. letters between the New York kahal and Seixas, asking Seixas' dedication to the mitzva of milah was indeed him to return, revealed many aspects of communal life, exemplary. He was the sole mohel not only in New some surprisingly similar to our own, including the low York but throughout the Northeast. He was frequently salary paid to communal workers. called to Newport and neighboring cities to perform Seixas returned to New York in 1784 in an agreement this mitz;va. that placed the then-chazan in New York, Jacob Probably his most strenuous trip was undertaken in Raphael Cohen, in Seixas's former position in 1811, when he was sixty-six. He left New York in Oc Philadelphia. Seixas remained in New York for the rest tober on a journey of several weeks to perform a milah of his life, assuming an active role in communal affairs. in Montreal. He then traveled on to Three Rivers,
10 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 Canada, where he circumcised two more babies. He per formed a fourth milah in the town of Berthieville, Canada. Seixas finally returned lo New York at the end of November. The trip had lasted thirty-four days and Announcing had been undertaken for the sake of just four children. We must bear in mind that in those days, travel was Graduates of truly hazardous. There were no roads through the woods and much of the territory was occupied by hostile Indians and infested with wild beasts. Also, Kosher food was not readily available along the way. PROJECT COPE'S The monetary compensation for milah was also quite modest. On one occasion, out of Seixas's fee of twenty Vocational Education four shillings, twenty-two went for his carriage fare. Program New York's Prime Authority FOR MANY YEARS, Gershom Seixas was New York's prime religious authority. Although American born and have completed their training educated, he was an acknowledged ta/mid chacham. In his early years, he organized a New York beis din (rab and are available binical court), consisting of himself, Abraham to fill the following positions: Abrahams, a learned immigrant from Brisk, Lithuania, and Isaac Pinto. Pinto translated the first seforim to be printed in English in America: machzorim printed in 1761 and 1766. Seixas was later assisted in religious Dental Ceramists matters by his son-in-law, Isaac Baer Kursheedt, a Clerk Typists German immigrant, who had studied in the Frankfurt yeshiva. Computer Programmers We have records of a number of halachic questions Dental Assistants asked of Gershom Seixas: One was Must the kohein always be called first to the Torah? to which he replied Medical Assistants in the affirmative .... This question still comes up in some American congregations. - Another question dealt with the removal of bodies from the New York cemetery when it was threatened with flooding. The records tell us that in response, Seixas opened the Shulchan Aruch Yore' De'ah and read the appropriate chapter to the assembled company. Gershom Seixas was also active in dealings with non Jews. He was highly respected in the general com Prospective employers are invited to call munity. Indeed, soon after the Revolution he was ap pointed a trustee of Columbia University, a position he PROJECT COPE held for a number of years. He was also adept in his Vocational Education Division, dealings with leaders in the Christian world. For exam ple, when George English, a missionary, attempted to to avail themselves of engage him in theological correspondence and discus these qualified employees. sion, Gershom Seixas declined to involve himself, but remained friendly with him. Seixas remained in his position in New York for the Telephone 964-1300 rest of his life. With advancing age, he became progressively weaker. He fell seriously ill in 1813, Project COPE lingering on for several years, until July 2, 1816, when A Division of Agudath Israel of America he died. His death not only ended an interesting life fil led with Jewish devotion, it also brought down the final Suite 814 I 5 BEEKMAN ST. I NYC 10038 curtain on the Jewish colonial period in America, funded by a CfTA Grant Administered by the New York State Educa1ion typified by the mesiras nefesh and devotion to Torah Department demonstrated by Gershom Seixas's own life. •T.
The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 11 Yisroel Miller Mrs. Rosenberg's Yeshiva
Where little scholars grow in a carefully controlled atmosphere combining the best elements of Kelm, Slabodka, and Novardok
In these days of Women's Liberation, I know that a way exists to teach "saying thank-you to HaShem" woman isn't considered "fulfilled" unless she's a bank than to do so wholeheartedly oneself. president, astronaut or congressman (congressperson?). Like every good rebbi, Mrs. Rosenberg is equally Still, I'm sure you'll understand my cousin Miriam's concerned with her talmidim's physical well-being. She not opting for any of these. When still an idealistic chooses food for her dining room and mattresses for her teenager she read a short biography of Rav Aaron dormitory with careful deliberation, knowing that these Kotler ?"ll'T, and the story of his fight to build Torah are mitzvos to compare with presentation of any shiur. and yeshivas in America. She became inspired by the Lessons in mitzvos "between man and man" are an idea of training young people in Torah, yiras shomayim integral part of the curriculum. Kindness, courtesy, (fear of G-d) and good character, and by the thought of taking turns and sharing are taught not as necessary actually making a yeshiva, a "mikdash m'at," a place of peace-making compromises, but as ethical principles; holiness for the Divine Presence ... the Shechina. and, like any good Mashgiach, Mrs. Rosenberg teaches Today, still idealistic (though no longer a teen-ager), without overly moralizing, intimidating or boring her Miriam - now Mrs. Rosenberg - has made her listeners. yeshiva. The work is hard, like that of every Rosh Opportunities for teaching basic Jewish hashkofa Yeshiva, but she has the rewards that come from true (world-view) are also not missed, again without ser accomplishment, and from seeing one's dreams come monizing. When a child sees that a broken vase arouses true. parental disapproval, while slanderous lashon hara The yeshiva is small- only four students- but she's does not, the lesson is not lost as to the relative impor more concerned about quality than quantity, and is tance of the two. The wise teacher makes the proper ad kept pretty busy as it is. There's Dovid, 5 years old; justment in her reactions (not to mention her conver Esther, 2; Shaindy, 6 months; and of course the oldest, sational topics), preferring a smashed vase to a smashed who also helps in running the place, Shlomo, who's 31. character. Mrs. Rosenberg is also Mashgiach (spiritual super Outdoor Learning visor and counselor) in her yeshiva, and the day begins As Mrs. Rosenberg bundles David up for the trip to early. Like Rav Elia Lopian ?"ll'T, she personally his "other" yeshiva (she cheerfully admits Rabbi awakens her talmidim (except for Shaindy, who usually Goldstein's superiority in explaining Chumash, and gets up even earlier), encouraging them to look forward readily sends David to better equipped rebbeim for a to a wonderful Torah day. An enthusiastically sung good part of the day), she notices that it's begun to rain. "Modeh-ani," a shiur (class) in correct netilas yodayim Rather than teach Dovid that life is one vast panorama - washing (2 yr. old level), and a brief talk on the joy of of human suffering ("Raining again? My new hair-do tzitzis-wearing all punctuated with a general air of op - my day is ruined!"), she tries a different tack. "Isn't timism and joie de vivre. it fun to walk in the rain 1 And Hashem is giving us Breakfast Session water to drink, and making the flowers grow," etc. With a bit of forethought this shiur can be said with The shiurim continue through breakfast, though real sincerity, especially if one practices by learning it more by example than by precept: A child who hears an for oneself. And even if David does not get a full ap audible brocha tends to make one as well, and no better preciation of the wonders of Creation, he at least es capes the fate of most people, who feel doomed to mis YISROEL MILLER is a member of the Kolel of Beth Medrash Govoha in ery at the slightest change of climate not to their expec Lakewood, N.]. tation.
12 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 Just Like in Kelm she's not seated at the head table, it's because she'd rather be taking the guests' coats and making them feel The next few hours, given over to dishwashing, l:ed comfortable. making and meal preparing, are also special training for two year old Esther, instructing her in needed skills and Like Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel ?"lrl, the "Alter" of a sense of responsibility. As in the great European Slabodka, she has no official title, even in her own yeshiva of Kelm, all the talmidim do their share of yeshiva. But she's always there; taking care, keeping housework, and consider themselves honored to have a things running, bringing the Shechina into the hearts of share in the yeshiva's upkeep. her talmidim, and daily thanking Hashem for her lot, Mrs. Rosenberg is also in charge of the purchasing portion and inheritance - that of a Jewish wife, and a Jewish mother. ~T. department, and plans her shopping carefully. Although Shlomo is executive director and chief fund raiser (he views his 9-to-5 real estate job in a light i1?i?1 D'/'.Jl, l:l ni;i;i1 similar to that of Roshei Yeshivas' fund-raising trips), DID YOU STUDY TORAH TODAY? she, in charge of the budget, fully feels the importance There are a thousand reasons why ifs difficult. but not one of not wasting the yeshiva's income on extravagances reason why it's lmpossible. of little benefit. Of course, the little pleasures needed Let us help you (free of charge) VJith· for happiness and a relaxed atmosphere are also given D a study group in YOUR home or neighborhood their due, just like any other mitzva. O learning· what YOU want to learn O and when ifs convenient for YOU Included in today's shopping is the search for a Or arrange: living-room couch. After consideration of the issues 0 A personal "chavrusa ·· for you ("Do we really need it? Will it make guests feel more at 0 A telephone "chavrusa ... home? How much shall we spend?"), inspection of the All levels of study! potential purchase is made with all the scrutiny of a Call us at (212) 964-1620. or write· professional esrog dealer ("Is it too ostentatious? Does TORAH EDUCATION NE'IWORK it add a feeling of warmth?"). Likewise in buying a new A division of Agudath Israel of America record ("Is this Jewish music? Will it give over 5 Beekman Street I New York.NY 10038 something beneficial to the children?'') or a wall decora Absolutely no charge or fee. tion. According to the importance one gives one's sanc tuary, so is the importance attached to details. The Tragic Chronicle of A.Family of Renown in Jerusalem: Supper, Slabodka-Style Pesach, 1970 - father suddenly passes away , .. youngest Comes suppertime, and Shlomo returns home. Tired child two months old. though she is, Mrs. Rosenberg remembers reading how Shevat, 1977- after a long illness, mother passes away, leaving nine children, ages 7 an.d up, witho.ut parents of the Mashgiach of the Slabodka Yeshiva worked two any means of support. years on "greeting every man with a smiling FUNDS are desperately needed to provide for the mar· countenance" (Avos), and she hides her own troubles, riages of three children and to cover the day-to·day needs to listen instead to the troubles of others. of the younger members of the shattered family. , , . Need Listening, sympathizing, comforting and counseling, we say morel she helps Shlomo forget the hard day at the office, and YOUR generous donation will do much to relieve some gives him the encouragement and incentive to go off to of their suffering. Upon request, funds received by Thurs his nightly Gemora class. She would like to have his day, March 3 (Taanis Esther) are guaranteed delivery on company, of course, but she willingly trades it for Purim to qualify for matanos l'evyonim. something higher, sublimely sweeter. • • • Horav v-aakov Y1sroef J The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 13 Give a Thoughtful Gift: One year's subscription to The Jewish Observer only $7.50 - or - Renew Your Own Subscription for three years, a $22.50 value, for only $18.00 - and - Receive a Gift of Distinction: The Passover Haggadah, with a clear English translation and illuminating commentary, by Rabbi Joseph Elias noted author, lecturer, and educator. It offers the reader invaluable insights and elucidations and embraces the full sweep of the Pesach Seder, thus bringing to life the Exodus from Egypt that it commemorates. ------~ I The Jewish Observer I 5 Beekman Street I New York, N. Y. 10038 : 50 D One Year $7 D Two Years $13°0 1 D Three Years, only $180° : Send Magazine to: 1 Name .... I I Address ...... I I City ...... State/Zip ...... I From: l;'Jame Address ...... City ...... State/Zip.... . 0 Enclose gift card The Passover Haggadah is published Send the Passover Haggadah by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., with or Megillas ... the care and excellence you have D Esther become accustomed to expect from D Ruth D Eichah the ArtScroll Series. D Kohelles D Shir Hashirim To retail for $5.00 (soft-cover edition) To: Yours absolutely free! Name ...... Address ...... (projected delivery date: February 22, 1977) City ...... State ...... Zip ...... If you wish, you may select any one of the (Add $1 per year for overseas subscriptions) ArtScroll Megillah Series instead Before the devastating churban of 35 years ago, there were about one million Chassidim in Europe, with hundreds of tzaddikim to guide them. After the destruction, when new centers developed in Eretz Yisroel and America, only one major haven of Chassidus remained on the European continent - name ly in Antwerp, Belgium. The tzaddik at the helm was Rab bi Moshe Yitzchok Gewirczman '>"YT a man of few words and profuse deeds. He was a descendant and spiritual heir of the renowned Noam Elimelech and inherited the derech of Shinive, Tshechenov and Stropkov, all off-shoots of Tzanz from which he absorbed kedusha that accompanied him throughout his life. The significance of his presence in Europe was that, without in tending to establish any movement or dynasty, he attracted many hundreds of followers from that continent and beyond. Forty or fifty visitors for Rosh Hashana or Shevuos was routine, a Shabbos without guests was unknown. They would not only come to taste the sweetness of his Shabbos and the joy of his Yorn Tov; they would fre quently come to find a sympathetic ear and consolation in times of dis tress. It is in this field that he became legendary - a baal mofes of the old school. Material is now being collected for a booklet relating the countless mofsim brought about through his Pinchas Jung tefillos - the end product will read rather like a biography of one of the talmidim of the Besht. The leading Rebbes of our day had enormous regard for him. Dur Remembering Reh ltzikel ing the Six Day War the Gerer Rebbe, X"l"':>!LI, sent a request to Reh Itzikel '>"YT that, "since his Rabbi Moshe Yitzchok tefillos are known to be effective," he should spare no effort in pleading for his brethern en Gewirczman dangered in the battle-torn Yishuv. He, in turn, had tremendous regard i1:J1:l? pii:ir 1:JT The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 15 for them. The writer was privileged way to the tisch of the Satmar Rav, He would speak of Rebbes he to be present when Reb Itzikel ':i"YI, K" o•':itu who was then visiting remembered from his youth with having held a tisch with a large London. Reb Itzikel ':i" YI sat there, such humility that one would group of followers one Friday night gazing at the Satmar Rav K" o•':itu, almost forget that he was a Rebbe of in London in the 1960's, made his as a little boy gazes at his father. consequence himself. At the Tisch ... 1r.ir.i 1K"1'1 1•'7J1 K"1pl •;i ctu '~ f"1Kn 'l::lll ':i~ 1K"111 "And ly understand it, but it was absolutely clear that they all the people - even the simple folk - will see that the were standing in the presence of one of the spiritual 'Name of Hashem rests upon you" - Kedusha sur giants of the generation - in fact of the last two genera rounds you and reaches all those who come into contact tions. It is impossible to describe what was so impres with you. And thus they will learn to respect you. sive about his placid, careful movements, the external simplicity of his tefilla and the profound look of It is this intangible, electrifying spiritual force, which dvaikus (cleaving to G-d) on his face - it is unimpor defies analysis and description, that attracts people to a tant to define all that. We knew that he was a genius at tzaddik and enables them to benefit from his company. concealing his true gadlus (greatness) - a tzaddik It is a very subtle form of spiritual energy - not neces nistar' (secretive saint) in all that term implies - yet sarily generated by eloquent mussar discourses or visi known and loved by thousands of admirers, recognized ble acts of mesiras nefesh. The influence of tzaddikei by the tzaddikim of the past and present generations as emes is entirely spiritual, detached from plain words unique in every way. Few knew of his knowledge of and deeds, highly sensitive and unlike the usual Shass by heart'; no-one knew what he added quietly methods of chinuch known to all of us. before Kiddush every Friday night or knew what he Those who ever had the zechus to find themselves at was saying quietly throughout the Shabbos Tisch'; but Mercatorstraat 56, Antwerpen, when the Rebbe, ':i"YI we all knew, without the slightest doubt, that here was present, could not but feel the atmosphere of eleva stood a man whose constant dvaikus was part of his tion, of Shechina' that prevailed in his Beis Hamedrash. personality. They could not explain what they felt, they could hard- The wealthy man, who has prepared generously for 16 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 Shabbos, invites the less fortunate, who cannot afford 1. Devorim 28:10. their own Shabbos meals, to join him at his table and to 2. Reb Avrohom Chaim of Plantsch (father-in-law of the Satmar Rav partake of his Seuda. The possessor of spiritual wealth X"l?,i,lU,) saw Reb ltzikel in Shiniveh (where the latter became ac acts likewise, explained the Koznitzer Maggid.6 quainted with the Shiniver Rov, son of the Sanzer Rov) and said, Prepared to receive the Shabbos appropriately, he "The Shechina accompanies this young man". welcomes those who are unable to perfect their own 3. It is said that the '36 hidden Tzadikim' could well be amongst spiritual preparation to join him and thus they can those we know, since most of their greatness is concealed. benefit from his superior avoida. 4. His Rebbe, Reb Simcha Yissochor Ber of Tshechenov, recom This is exactly what we experienced in Antwerp at mended him to adopt the Gemora as a chaver. At the time, Reb It the Shabbos tischen, where the unspoilt spirit of the zikel learnt vast amounts of Gemora by heart and was known as day of rest reigned supreme', as we sat, unable to take an Illuy. our eyes off the Rebbe's radiant countenance. His 5. When Reb Chane Halberstam of Koloshitz a contemporary who perished under the Nazis enquired about this, Reb Itzikel refused house was as open as that of Avrohom Avinu, offering to comment. hospitality to visitors from far and near. On the one 6. Avodas Yisroel, Sedra Mishpotim: on Chap. 23, 12. hand it was left hefker to the needy; on the other hand everyone recognized a!'\d revered the master of the 7. Standing amongst the large crowd before the Kevura, the household - a master of tzedaka and chessed from his Yashlisker Rov commented "In my youth I visited many great Rebbes and felt the richness of the spirit of Shabbos, but the earliest youth till his very last days. In his usual discreet Neshama-Yeseirah I experienced together with my father-in-law and quiet way he provided for countless poor families was unique". (The author was present.) and helped hundreds of young men to establish 8. Mentioned by Rabbi E. Halpern in his hesped before the funeral. themselves as self-respecting bread-winners. 9. Tehillim 63:2. Incredible amounts of tzedaka funds passed through his hands - to him a coin was a mitzva artifact just like an esrog or tefillin•. Yet, for himself the Rebbe kept nothing, living on the basic minimum and deriving no benefit from Olam Hazeh (this world) at all. Do you have ideas Despite all this, a tzaddik of this calibre cannot be which you can't described in a few lines of writing. An essay cannot do justice to his true essence. Appreciation of tzaddikim is get oii the ground? a!!" l/J!U .,,in - Oral Law - in that it cannot be com mitted to writing. It is not for nothing that people with Call Zelman Studios shelves upon shelves of seforim at home, wander across continents and oceans in order to spend a Shabbos or ior a liit! Yorn Tov with a tzaddik. * * * * DESPITE HIS VERY ADVANCED AGE of almost 95, people You might be the head of an organization, or business. You may wan,t to raise funds, introduce or sell a product, were stunned at the sad news; they found it difficult to and realize the best way is to SHOW them thru a film or believe that a man whose existence had been above slide presentation. Give us a call. natural forces for so many years, had left this life for good. Never again will we be able to watch Reb Itzikel No studio in New York is as involved in films and slide kissing the mezuza with that determined look of shows as Zelman. Zelman Studios can handle the entire presentation from creative concept thru writing and dvaikus on his face as he walks humbly and slowly photography. from his small room into his Beis Hamedrash, ready to pierce the heavens with his silent tefilla. Never again For portable presentations Zelman Studios can prepare will we be able to sit quietly around his table, elevated a completely self-ci:rculating, self-contained projection to another world, as the Rebbe sits peacefully partaking unit that can literally tell your story, by itself, anywhere. of his Seudo: with tightly closed eyes, as if to say My So give us a call today, for a free 6-minute demonstration soul thirsts for You.' Reb /tzikel's living example of and Jet us help your ideas really take off. visible and invisible tzidkus will be sorely missed by all who knew him. re'. PINCHOS JUNG, who is active in Agudah youth work in London, was 623 Cortelyou Road {off Ocean Parkway) represented by "Walkie-Talkie Mania" in the March '76 JO. He is U S A /I I author of two books on Torah hashkofa: The Truth Need Not Hurt •· · · srae Brooklyn, NY. 11218 • 1212) 941-5500 and the recently published The World Is My Teacher. The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 17 n;•·ya~'l 'l~iUr n1UN. l\,,,n\ln AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA One Card - 5 Beekman St., New York, N. Y. 10038 MEMBERSHIP CARD ••· 16 Memberships YEAR----- i\"1 13. Yad to Russian Jews Matzos, parcels and general aid and support for Soviet Jewry. The Jewish Observer 14. Commission on Senior Citizens l Commission on Legislation and Civic Action The highly respeded English language journal. Advocate to government agencies, defending rights of Five C{'nters, 10,000 members providing nourishing meals, comfort and meaningful activities to lonely lives. Orthodox Jews, spokesman for government aid to 10, 11: Yeshivos. Telling you what's happening and why, from a Torah 15. 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Send me a directory of Agudath Israel's services. j The only Yiddish monthly in America. ---__ _!_t:.::~s.::!_thisadv~~11fwerep~by fr~sof Agudath/srael of Am~~ _____ J describes the dubious tactical neces sity of women in the armed forces, as well as other disturbing facets of second looks the situation. Whereas some women actually were assigned combat duty during the War for Independence in 1948, Ezriel Toshavi since then "the emphasis in women's service is placed on ... non-combat activities , , . The Girls in the Israeli Army: A Crisis? Army profits from the service of the IDF womman, In every place and IN RECENT WEEKS, Jewish media While these are indeed ap every unit where women are to be have been headlining an old con preciable accomplishments, the found, they contribute to improved troversy sparked anew regarding greatest loss is the continued con operations and morale, The IDF draft of women in Israel. The latest scription of women in general and does not have the look of an austere chapter stems from violations of the the unrelenting social pressures ex armed force." rights of exemption of religious erted on girls of marginal religious women from service; it seems that a background to submit to conscrip number of local draft boards have tion, This involves far more girls The Initial Objection been harassing girls in spite of their than the handful of special cases Twenty-three years ago, when claims to being religious. True, girls that have attracted so much atten the law to draft women had been of Beth Jacob education are tion as of late, More alarming than enacted, it was immediately customarily granted exemptions the number of girls in hiding is the perceived that an army's view of without difficulty, but those who precipitous drop of requests for "morale" is in direct conflict with a attended" public schools" - usually religious exemptions - from 60% Torah view of morality and girls from Sephardic families - can years ago to 19% today, traditional Jewish modesty, In fact, face severe harassment. A local ad the Torah leadership of the time, led ministrator may choose to reject The Tactical Role by the Chazon !sh, the Tchebiner such a girl's protestations that she is The protest may strike some as Rav, and the Brisker Rav, Cl1"1::ll indeed religious, and to prove his rather strange, in view of the il:Ji:J?, viewed a woman's service in point, he often will test her on State's continual state of seige, Pit the army as tantamount to the most scholarly information not usually ting the scant three million Israeli severe breach in personal morality, expected of ary religious girl of Jews against the 100 million hostile to be ranked with the three cardinal average education, ("How high may Arabs that surround them may well transgressions of "yehoreig v'al a succah be?" "What blessing is require the participation of all able ya'avor," It was only after Agudath recited first on Friday night bodied men and women in Zahal. Israel precipitated a government Chanukah - Shabbos candles or True, there is not one Western crisis by walking out of the cabinet Chanukah lamps?") As a result, democracy that ever drafted women in protest that religious girls were there are situations where girls of into the army under any circum granted exemptions, religious upbringing and conscience stances, But which country in all The scrubbed-up wholesome are being drafted into the army, history has ever suffered such cons public relations image of "the nice There are even some cases of girls tant threat of annihilation? kids in the Israeli Army" of the ear who have gone into hiding for fear In truth, the role of women in the ly SO's may have made the of being forcibly inducted into the army involves much less than meets proclamation of Gedolim and the army, the eye . , , and much more, Several subsequent action taken by This breach of rights was passages in a massive book by Agudath Israel seem unduly brought to the attention of the Haaretz's miiitary expert 1 Zeev suspicious and severe to outsiders. Knesset by Agudath Israel Schiff, throw some interesting light Today, we surely know better, for representatives, and negotiations at on the topic. The book, "A History the matter-of-fact treatment of the highest level brought forth of the Israeli Army," is a Simon phases of life that were previously promises to put a halt to these tac Schuster publication produced with taken for granted by the tics, In addition, names of girls who the acknowledged assistance of top knowledgeable, but never dreamed have been caught up in this con level members of Israel's army com of by the uninitiate, demonstrates troversy as well as those who mand, The book's chapter on that the fears of Gedolei Torah, un already have been drafted over "Chen" (Chaya/ Nashim - the fortunately, had been only too well protest will be submitted for review. Women's Army) unflinchingly placed, The following passages are The Jewish Observer I January, ? 977 19 CAMP AGUDAH ;/ · (For Boys) _____,... ___ JS'"r f ~ Announces the Opening of Registration By Proudly Introducing Its Staff Program Supervisor: Rabbi Syshe Heschel 0 Program Director/Head btl..h.A,,~.J'~ ~ Counselor: Rabbi Simcha Kaufman 0 Director: Rabbi Meir Frischman 011i.... 1111111111111i•ilt -~-,-~~~ .. -=--- ~ - Learning Programs: Rabbi Yisroel Belsky I Rabbi Yisroel Mayer Shain D 1 . ~~ 'P7d ~ ~ Division Heads: Morty Ettinger /Moshe Lowenthal /Moshe Mishkowitz 0 _ ~ Avrumie Sofer O Waterfront; Rabbi Raphael Andruiser •Individually Tailored Learning,~P.;r~ogi;r.'iiammiiis-""""';;.,_~~-1-•--• .. ·-·""' ~~ ~/~.L./ • Masmidim Program '" - '/--- • Spirited Davening ..· 7 • Midos ~'l>-~vll·~::,•"'":·,o~' ~J... .,..,..,. __ «l'~ .~· A .. _.,._ .> •/ I Development ~ ;r 0 ~ ~ .~ · • Taryag . "':\ lo;o"\ .,,.~Co" 0.,'1' x_, '.\I"' •' o"' 0' ..~ M1tzvos ~-~ , '"OJ , c,'"'°' 0 CF • M1shnayos ~ :<>'1°' '\<''I' \i"' o'l~ •New Baal Peh "'o' (,~iv>» <•"' ·~,<" 1,o for registration inf ation or staff appllcatlon wrtte: CAMP BNOS/ftve Beek eel/New Yorl<. New York 10038 o• call 121 -1620 partial quotations from Zev Schiff' s battlefield were not won by guns report: and bullets. Even secular-oriented "Entering the Army at eighteen, generals confessed that they saw the for most young women, means their hand of G-d in any number of first experience away from home events. Moreover, even if there and their introduction to ... would be any military value in hav (outright promiscuity). As is true ing women serve in the army, does for men, Army life serves as a rite of it make sense to sacrifice a nation's passage for the women. It is widely spiritual existence for the sake of believed that most women come of physical survival? age sexually at some time during Obviously, then, the only their military service. Strict separa meaningful strategy for military Adopt A Special Child tion of the sexes is the rule during security of the beleagured state is Jewish children with handi· training, but permanent postings "Vehaya machanecha kodesh - and caps need warm, loving Orth· bring many of the women into daily your camp shall be holy," so the odox homes to give them a and close contact with men. At Guardian of Israel may without fair chance in life. Can you headquarters units there is much hesitation dwell among the tents of provide a permanent home socializing, encouraged by regular Israel, without being repelled by for such a child? army officers. Frequent parties are outrageous immoral conditions. For further information call: held and the easy-going familiarity This cannot be achieved until 1212) 851·6300 promotes an eroticism that is dis Zahal is exclusively a men's army. tinctly Jewish (sic): matter-of-fact But at least until that time, the and controlled." The text goes on to rights of any girl for a religious ex discuss policy in regard to dispensa emption must be unconditionally tion of birth-control medicants and safeguarded ... with respec ~T. treatment of pregnant soldiers. Modern society's tendency toward openness in regard to per sonal matters may make the Torah Lapidus Bras. Gemilath Chesed community's objections toward Ass'n of the Crown Hts. 4907-16th Ave. women in the army seem an Agudath Israel, Inc. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204 anachronism - belonging to some For Applications: (212) 851-6300 older, more innocent era. Yet, the Call RABBI JosHUA SrLBERMINTZ "The only professional numerous Israeli successes in the at: WO 4-1620 or write: child care agenc_y under c/o ACUDATH ISRAEL Orthodox] ewish Auspices 5 Beekman St., New York 10038 in the U,S.A. ". ~) ~ RABBI JOZEF KATZ \!ARK LOHNGER K"tllnl Ktll'1i' ;Ji:Jn 83 Division A venue Brook..lyu, N. y, 11211 Chevra Kadisha OF Har Hamenuchot • Har Hazeisim Eretz Hachaim Burial in Jerusalem And All Cemeteries In Israel maalln sakob€sh ALL LEADl:-- The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 21 One of Ezriel T oshavi WORLD'S LARGEST CAMERA STORES The Neo-Hellenists, Shabbos, and Fall of the Government ON THE FRIDAY before Chanukah, Shabbos was trampled on, and - in Jewish children all over the world spite of warnings that the schedule were preparing for the holiday. In was too tight - the welcoming Torah schools, the stress was on the ceremony on behalf of this Wall Street cultural clash, never fully resolved, enhancement of Israel's military between Jewish spirituality and the might did not permit participants to Camera Exchange Greek-inspired stress on physical return home without violating the Complete Line of Cameras glory. By no means were the Shabbos. and Photo Supplies military victories glossed over, but The Torah Front in the Knesset 82 WALL STREET the truth is stated clearly: the Mac (consisting of Agudath Israel and NEW YORK, N.Y. cabees were "weaker ... and fewer." Poalei Agudath Israel) initiated a Telephone: (212)344-0011 Their saving grace was that they vote of No Confidence against the - Wholesale were also "pure ... righteous ... and Rabin government, and the rest is - Mail Order delved into Torah," as we say in the history: the government toppled - Retail "Al Hanissim" prayer. In summary, Special Reductions to all and elections are to be held this the Greco-Syrians had sought to coming May. Readers of abolish Shabbos, bris milla, and the THE JEWISH OBSERVER Now, the fall of Rabin's govern laws of the Jewish calendar in con frontation between "The might of ment can be traced to all sorts of my hand brought me this glory" causes, political and otherwise. But the entire crisis was undisputably and "Whoever is for G-d, rally to me!" triggered by a public violation of the Shabbos. On the Friday before Chanukah, America delivered to Israel the first Several weeks ago, Premier Rabin made a widely publicized tour of installments of its promised F-15 Phantom jets - a much needed shot Israeli yeshivos. It is unfortunate in the arm. Somehow, on the eve of that during these visits he failed to the festival that celebrates the learn that even the mighty An triumph of spiritual prowess over tiochus was toppled by the Shabbos physical might, the sanctity of the defenders. While there can be no comparison between the two, it is TRADITION PERSONNEL - HCUC nonetheless obvious that today as ever the Shabbos wields a mighty "At Your Service With All Your Employment Needs" force of vengeance. !...i. Need A Shomer Shabbos Job? Looking For A Shomer Shabbos Person? For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service 18 W. 45th St., New York, N. Y. 10036 • 563·3994 Enjoy •.• Come To ~her~.~t'Y Formerly Kosher King The Most Trusted Name 1501 Surf Ave . Coney Island In Kosher Poultry Whitehead Hall Brooklyn College PREFERRED WORLD-WIDE 22 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 A Home for the 'Talit' yeshiva, after all, he's got a good brain, he could .... " IT WAS 30 years ago that I told my portunity to put on a talit. Please try Rina interrupts me. "But Gedalya mother that Josef and I were going and understand, mother." wants to study in a yeshiva all his life and I want that, too. We want to to get married. She liked Josef and That was 30 years ago. she was pleased. Always a practical live a life dedicated to the Torah. woman, she immediately began to TODAY. I am talking to my Please try and understand, mother." daughter Rina about her wedding. make plans. She is right, I think. It is her life 'Tm afraid I can't give you a "What do you think of a very and she is entitled to live it as she small affair, just with very close proper dowry, Ruth," she said, thinks fit, even if it's not what I "but there are a few things I'd like relatives and a few of our best wanted for her. friends? You could use the money you to have. And I find myself talking in my to buy things you need for your mind to my own mother. "That talit "There's the carved wooden home." armchair, the one I like sitting in. that Josef wouldn't accept from you "Oh, mother," Rina protests. Your grandfather left it to me and and that you bought for our son Gi "Marriage is a very big and impor I'd like you to have it." deon on his barmitzva and which he tant thing in our movement. We doesn't wear. At last it has found its "But, mother, we won't have have to have a proper meal, a destination and the wheel has come room for it. We shall be living in a Seudat Mitzva, with lots of guests." full circle. I will give it to Rina's tent or a hut to begin with." "Alright," I say, "if you insist. husband, your new grandson "Never mind," my mother said Anyway, I'll give you that lovely Gedalya. He will wear it all his life." and went on; "then I've been keep dinner service my mother gave me; The above extracts from a diary were sent to ing that lovely table-cloth, with 12 we rarely used it and nothing has us from a reader in Tel Aviv. He asks us not matching napkins, for you. Do take been broken." to divulge the name of the writer who is a them. They will come in so useful in veteran settler of a Western Galilee kibbutz. the future." "Thank you, mother. But you know I can't use those plates. You Reprinted from the Jerusalem Post, Jan. 11, "But, mother," I tried again to used them sometimes and you '77. ~T. explain things to her. "We're going didn't keep a kosher kitchen. We're to live in a kibbutz and we shall be going to be strictly kosher and so I i1'5'::1i1 D~1i eating in the communal dining hall. can't use them." ·I know it's a lovely tablecloth, but it EV 7-1750 will be wasted on us." Like my mother before me, I began to make plans. "When !.'",!) ,~!) My mother was not easily dis Gedalya finishes his studies at the )t.'lVTi'l:),,N 'l:)'!llVTii'1~!1 couraged. "Well, later on, when you're tired of the kibbutz. Josef is a clever fellow and I'm sure I can help him to get a job in an office and he'll get ahead fast." "Why should we get tired of kib butz life, mother?" A few days later, my mother broached the subject of my mar riage again. "When I married your father, my mother gave him a talit as a wedding present. When your sister got married, I gave her hus band a talit. Now that you're going to be married, I shall give Josef a talit as a wedding present. I don't believe in favouring one daughter more than the other." I tried to be very tactful about that, as I didn't want to hurt my mother's f!elings. "The kibbutz we're going to is not a religious one and Josef really won't have any op- The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 23 Letters to the Editor - - Day School Discussion: Harbotzas HaTorah is not easy Can We Afford to Criticize? on a personal level. Nor is it easy on a national level. Without the advice and encouragement of the Gedolei To the Editor: HaTorah, the self-sacrificing people In your recent day school move of Torah Umesorah could never ment analysis, (Oct. '76), you com have gone this far. For that matter, pare expended efforts with results without the advice and encourage on a national level. I can only ad ment of the same Gedolei haTorah, dress myself to this comparison on a Agudath Israel of America could From Switzerland and the U.S. personal level. never have gotten this far, either - come these fine cheese I can identify with the despair no SEED, no JEP, no Jewish delicacies. Made for Passover and frustrations of the teacher and Observer. and throughout the year, from administrator in the article who saw Your critical analyses of the day "CHOLOV YISROEL" (100% their students and their school school movement raises some supervised kosher milk) to the drifting away from our culture. The serious concerns: highest standards of chinuch profession is no easy life. KASHRUTH and QUALITY. First, as bnei Torah, can we af (Neither are very many other ford not to publicly give our All under strictest Rabbinical professions, for that matter.) To supervision. enthusiastic support and en enter the field, and to stay in it, one couragement to all organizations may have to put security and self •SWITZERLAND PORTION with which our Gedolim are as importance on the line. Are the GRUYERE sociated? I say no, and disagree with results worth such expenses? 'Tis •SWITZERLAND SLICED the tone of the article. The article quite a gutty question, with a dif EMMENTHALER itself raises the issue of who has the • PROCESS AMERICAN ferent answer for each person in right to question our chinuch ef volved. SLICES ALSO IN 3 LB. forts. Who asks the questions is not SLICED LOAVES The Torah tells us that we must of any concern. It's to whom the •SLICED MUENSTER take action and perform, but question is asked that counts. • SLICED EDAM nowhere does it guarantee the en Society asserts that public issues • MONTEREY JACK couragement of continuing tangible belong to the public: Everyone has Thurm Bros.-World Cheese success for our efforts. So often life an opinion and we have many "ex Co., Inc. demands courage and strength to go perts." Few are willing to relinquish New York, N.Y. 10013 on. this assumed authority to compe For many in chinuch, the going tent and honest leaders. Differences gets so rough that survival rests on of opinion create spokesmen; and The Se/er "Oeder O/om" subjugating one's hopes and deci spokesmen create differences. Peo by the sions to our great sages, who usual ple follow spokesmen; spokesmen Chafetz Chaim, ly encourage all who are capable of follow the people. now auailable in doing so to reach out to spiritually We as bnei Torah are fortunate to English translation care for fellow Jews. know that we can follow our only $.35 per copy Gedolim with confidence and that Home for adults seeks capable licen we can bring our concerns to them 10 for $2.50 sed administrator. Experience pre for clarification, advice and deci write to: ferred, but not necessary. Submit re Zichron Shlomo Pub!. sume to M. Slamowitz, c/o Project sion. I feel that the critical com 5 Beekman St, NYC. 10038 COPE, 5 Beekman St., N.Y.C. 10038 ments that were suggested in the ar ticle would have been more con- 24 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 structive had they been made to a "Gadlus" - Learning and Teaching brought out many important issues. more limited audience. True, the One point, however, could bear statistics in the article were further clarification. previously made public, but they To the Editor: To Dr. Kaminetsky's urging that were never used in such a manner. The dialogue between Rabbi the yeshiva world do more to take It's what you do with statistics that Wolpin and Dr. Kaminetsky con their place as the "captains and counts. They could have been used cerning the present state and future generals" of the movement, Rabbi more constructively, in ways that direction of the Day School move Wolpin replies that while this is of better reflect the mainstream of ment was very pertinent, and course desirable, it cannot be treated thoughts of our leaders, which are evident from the policies of our Torah movements. Announcin To survive, we can afford only to Halachos of Pesach publicly encourage and (Part one) acknowledge each other's commit ment and sacrifice for Torah. Part of the TzvIBLACK Shiurim in Halacha Series Assistant Educational Director Savannah (Ga.) Hebrew Day On Cassettes School In English A New, Revised LOWER MANHATTAN by Rabbi Shimon Eider MINCHA MINY AN GUIDE has been pub Iished in 2 cassettes. . . $3.00 each - where to daven, and when An expanded discussion, prepared for use - from river to river with newly published text: - from the Battery to Central Park A Summary of Halachos of Pesach, (Section One) ... For your copy, send a self-addressed, $1.50 stamped envelope to: Topic: Ta'aruvos Chometz: a discussion of products, MINCHA MINY AN MAP Agudath Israel of America medications, and cosmetics 5 Beekman Street/NYC 10038 Availatile in Hebrew book stores or from the author: for information, call 964-1620 P.O. Box 162, Lakewood, N.J. 08701 ----- order form for cassettes and publications:------"GRUNWALD" SHAS NAME ...... I ADDRESS...... I Attention All Chasanim! I ~~10-sE: SEND• ...... STATE & zw... I A Shas You Buy Once in a lifetime This: is your opportunity_ to _a<:quaint ...... Copies HAl.ACHOS OF PESACH Cassette 2 (CHP2) at $3.00 I I Cassette 1 (CHPl) at $3.00 ...... Copies A SUMMARY OF HALACHOS yourself wit.h the most beautiful edilion of ...... Copies HAIACHOS OF PESACH OF PESACH, section I at $1.50 I a lull size shas. The paper and binding are I ,...... / am interested in receiuing future pub/irotions. Please ship them and bill me. the finest .and strongest ln the. perfect .. ,... J am interested in receiuing future cassettes of the Shiurim in Halacha Series. Please ship them and bi/I me. I dimensions 16114 :x: 111/4. I ...... Please inform me of future publications and cassettes. AT THE MOST.REASONABLE PRICE EVER Other items in the Shiurim fn Halacha Series; I OFFERED I I: Erov II: Four Minim ...... Copfes HALACHOS OF THE ERUV ...... Copies HALACHOS OF 11-IE FOUR I ASK YOUR DEALER i=OR tHt:"CRUNWAlD"SHAS I Cossette 1 (CHE l} at $3.00 $.... MINIM Cassette 1 (CFM 1) at $3.00 ...... Copies HALACHOS OF 11-IE ERUV ...... Copies HALACHOS OF mE FOUR I Also just arrived tfie 15 volume I Cassette 2 (CHE 2) at $3.00 $.... MINIM Cassette 2 (CFM 2) at $3.00 encyclopedia Talmudk ptke $8.25 per ...... Copies A SUMMARY OF HAJACHOS ...... Coples A SUMMARY OF HAJACHOS I volume. I OF 11-IE ERUV at $.75. $.... OF THE FOUR MINIM at $1.25 J am enclosing check or money order for total of$ I M. S. SPIEGEL For information regarding other publications by the author. inquire at your Hebrew book store or directly to the author. N.Y;C. 226~4331 I 90 Eldridge Street, When ordering from the author, add 25 cents per volume or cassette for postage and handling. I L----SPECIAL RATES______FOR BULK ORDERS. Prepaid orders accepted only ___, The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 25 SCHECHTER'S K:~:·Ca7/i88£411H@l lHTllf OCIAJlfftOMT JLOCl - :t7tl k Jltll It. MIAMI BEACH ... Is • GREAT Kosher Hotel - you'll love ltl • DIAL Write for FREE brochure • Privall! 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CHINUCH A 7ZMA/ TORAH SCHOOLS system is world •Arrangements made during lifetime with no obligation Jewry's greatest united effort for Torah Education which is •Chapel secured 1n any community the very base of religious life in the Holy Land. RIVERSIDE Memorial Chapel, Inc./ Funeral Directors Join in making Torah in Israel secure MANHATTAN: 180 West"76th St. (at Arnsterdam Ave_j N. Y.,N. Y JEN 2-6600 I Torah Schools for Israel - Chinuch Atzmai RROOKL YN :310 Coney Island Ave. (Ocean Parkway at Prospect Park 167 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016 Brook!yn,N Y./UL 4-2000 1Tel. (212) 889-0606 BRONX: 1963 Grand Concourse( at 1 79th St.) Bronx, N Y. IL U 3-6300 I FAR ROCKAY/A Y: 12-50 Central Ave. ,F·ar Rockaway,N. Y. J FA 7- 7100 I Gentlemen: And The V/estchester R1versrc!e Memorial Chapet,Jnc I I hereby pledge the sum of $ ...... as my contribution in answer to the j 21 West Broad Street,Mt.Vernon,l\/_Y_/ (914JMO 4.6800 - current emergency appeal. Chapels in Miami,Mian1i Beach,Hollywood,Sunrise,Florida I () Amou11t enclosed () Kindly mail statement J Carl Grossberg/ Andrew Fier/Solomon Shoulson '.,_~' i ., ,,. i, " , I •.·:".:":··:·•·•.:.:.,··'.:"" : "•·••.,:·••·••·•••·::•·••:: I ,, , ~~~~~·:••••·•·•"· ,,,, ""' , Lcm =~~~-;;;~~~~~~~~;:;;,:~::.·:::r;;;;;cl:a~::c;~;;~;; :=J ror generations a symbol of Jewish Tradition. 26 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 terms of an individual's growth in am giving you power (s'rora)? I am learning. Growth in and through making you servants (of the Kia/)!" Torah is a continual process of ex This concept is beautifully ex pansion~ that is, the boundaries of pressed by Rav Shimon Shkop ?"YT LETTERS CONTINUED a ben Torah's personality must in his Introduction to Shaarei gradually cease to be limited by his Yosher. It also forms a central personal wants and desires, to the theme in the darkei-hachinuch of as a part of yeshiva education per point that he encompasses within the ba' alei mussar (see Chochma se. The years in yeshiva must be himself various gradations of Klal U'Mussar, Chapter 2, for example). geared toward gadlus (greatness in chaveirim, mishpacha, talmidim, Torah); only upon leaving does the The practical difficulties involved and ultimately, Kial Yisroel as a in galvanizing our potential cap Kial become a consideration. In a whole. It is within this element of tains and generals for Kibush Kehil sense, of course, this is true, in that growth in Torah that a very real los cannot be minimized. But only a yeshiva cannot be reduced to be continuum exists between the the dedication toward the Kial ing a training ground for teachers yeshiva years and eventual dedica which comes from this inner and rabbis, and the experience of tion to harbotzas Torah - growth through Torah can find a ta/mud Torah is an end in itself. spreading Torah to others. This is solution to them, and reverse the This evades, however, a significant the true import of the words of drain on these invaluable resources. point, which may lie at the root of Chazal concerning appointment to a the entire problem. position of authority in Kial BEN TZION KOKIS Gadlus cannot be defined only in Yisroel: "Do you think then that I Fallsburg, New York Zeirei Agudath Israel Of America announces a series of shl'urirn on HilchosPesach a comprehensiveshiur on the intricacies. of Hilchos Pesach with an. emphasis on practical applica' •Sports complex including 2 Tennis lions courts on premises, volleyball and basketball giVen In English by •Free Dine-a·round (Chinese & Italian Rabbi Shimon Eider cuisine) Oceanfront rooms only) •Sauna and steam room, masseur FROM Author of 'Walachos ofShabbo•", •Olympic size .wimming pool :'u:::'C::upancy ,;Halachos cf the -Eruvu • 21" col·or T.V. in every room $500. Min. 11 Niru Chaver Hakokl lnexpensiv• full pkgs. available based •Boating available on premises on excursion and charter air farn. Beth Med_rash -_Gov,Ohai Ld.kewobd •Nightly entertainment ANY 8 DA VS/ 7 NIGHTS the shlurim Will take place Sunday- March 6th, (16 Adar) OPEN ALL YEAR ~::·. ~~ hom $342. Topic: A discussion_ of products, iliedleatimU Including ...._ and :cosmettcs for Pesath. HIRSCH'S Day Coach ~ Sunday ~ M•rch 13th, (23 Adar) Air Fare Via lfA-.n-nN .Tople:Ad;scus'wn.o!bedikaschometz,bljlar, YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES • tra..,.fer to Hut•! trom A"pon • .. u mNls •fr•• bltul.aml mechlras .chtnndz. ;idminoon to J,,. L•• & Cald•• Racetrack Sunday- March 20th, (1 Nissan) ••ouv•n" AIQ•••• buch b.-g • cha••• lounge• welcome !tu•! baskotl Tol>ic: When S..o ~h occurs on Shabbris I for R~.,.v<>l•o"' c~! vou• ha..el Agent Sunday -March 27th, !S N;ssan) ~~!~~·-..,...~5 Easlern Alfhn•s o• Topic: The __riJftzuOs and shlu~m fut the seder. TRIPa!MASTERS N.Y. Sun. & Eves. (212)684-1170 'lr 377·1545 WORlO TRAVEl SERVICE Cong. B'nai Yosef (212) 689-7600 On the Oceanfront bet. 25th & 26th Street, 01 toll tree 1614 OCe-ah Parkway '"-Cur;,A ve~ p Miami Beach, Florida (800) 223-7676 BrooklYJI, N.Y. TlMfa s:oo p,m. The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 27 As an American-born Ashkenazi It's a two-way street: we should of Galician descent and Litvishe learn more about them and with yeshiva, upbringing, I have too them. often felt that we are running on ELKANAH SCHWARTZ LETTERS CONTINUED only half our cylinders. Where is Brooklyn, N. Y. the legacy of the Sephardi world? EAST FIATBUSH YM-YWHA Does it bother anyone that Sephardi Cheers for "Ben !sh Chai" gedolim are identified with another STRICTLY ORTHO. SEP. BOYS world, rather than our dominant AND GIRLS DAY CAMP To the Editor: European-oriented one, and if so, LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED Cheers on "The Ben !sh Chai" maybe it is our fault for not SUPERVISORY STAFF biographical portrait of not only the cultivating our knowledge of their COUNSELORS man but also his environment. life and works. AND SPECIALTIES - 495-6000 - a recently married yeshi S : vah graduate - who par A k ticipated in our ON-THE· GOOD-JOB-TRAINING and Bernie s. a student in our VOCA is already earning $11,000 with a large plastics - manufacturer. S : TIONAL EDUCATION pro A k gram, who now earns $20,- - never enjoyed her job Joseph R. 000 annually as a dental S : as a secretary in a school ceramicist, one year after graduation from a New A k office - who was trained York State licensed vocational school. Miriam R. in our CIASSROOM TRAINING PROGRAM towards a "Good Job" as Mendel K., Esther J., or hun· a full-charge bookkeeper VJith a large audio-visual Ask: dreds of our friends who got firm. "Good Jobs" through ... ON-"GOOD"-JOB TRAINING CIASSROOM TRAINING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING CAREER EDUCATION VOCATIONAL LIBRARY TESTING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ptoject COPE Career Opportunities and Preparation for Employment A Division of Agudath Israel of America Check for ''THE GOOD JOBS" at our offices and programs all over New York City New York (main office) Brooklyn Queens Suite 814 813 Avenue H 98·12 66th Avenue 5 Beekman Street Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 (cor. Queens Blvd.) New York City 10038 (212) 4344075 Rego Park, N.Y. 11374 (212) 964·1300 (212) 4594225 One·day·a·week programs are also available in Lower East Side and Far Rockaway. For information ca/1964-1300. CALL TODAY FOR THE "GOOD JOBS" mentundertheCom rehensiudEmploymentandTroining Act, CETA, Title I. 28 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 WHY IS THIS HAGGADA BAIS YAAKOV DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER TEACHERS' SEMINARY HAGGADAS? Monsey, New York It is the only Haggada in English to offer a com plete guide to the Passover preparations and prescribed amounts of the Seder foods, and a special food measure chart, all in accordance with the decisions of Harav Moshe Feinstein. It features the selected explanations of over thirty classic and contemporary commentators, written in a clear, concise and eminently readable style, and printed in beautiful CompuScribe by ArtScroll Studios. read ... Announces the opening of WHY IS THIS NIGHT REGISTRATION DIFFERENT? for the year 5738 ( 1977-1978) A Complete Guide to Passover and the Haggada One year full-day program by Rabbi Zev Schostak leading to Teacher's or General Diploma $J95 • Staffed by renowned educators Exclusive Di:;rribu1or: S. Goldman I Otzar Ha-Sefarim, Inc. Special pre-pub/icafion 30°/o discount on all mail orders received by • Geared for proficiency in independent study March 15. Also, special organizational rate available. Make checks for $2.80 payable to S. Goldman I Otzar Ha-Sefarim, Inc. I 33 Cana! • Individualized teaching program Street I New York, N.Y. 10002. Call 1212) OR 4-1707. • Student teaching in Monsey and New York City schools PINCUS MANDEL Located in the heart of the suburban Re-knowned Expert - Torah community of Monsey, N.Y. Over 25 Years Experience In INTERMENT in ALL CEMETERIES Exposure to Gedolei Yisroel in ERETZ YISRAEL Expedited in shortest time possible, r'I, with all Safe, pleasant environment HIDURIM - as done ONLY by SHOMREI Faculty-supervised dormitories TORAH UMITZVOS KAVOD HANIFTAR THROUGHOUT Beautiful campus Graves in all parts of Eretz Yisrael, obtained directly from CHEVROS KADISHA of ESTABLISHED KEHILOS, RESPONSIBLE for their For applications and information, write: COMMUNITY-OWNED CEMETERY Bais Yaakov Teacher's Seminary Pincus Mandel 175 lee Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11211 11 Smalley Drive Day and Night Phone (212) 855-5121 Recommended by most Prominent Orthodox Rabbis and Admorim Monsey, New York 10952 A PERSONALIZED, DEPENDABLE, EFFICIENT SERVICE AT REASONABLE COST or call (914) 356-3113 47 Years of Dedicated Cemetery Experience CHESED SHEL EMES - AN ULTRA ORTHODOX SERVICE Rebbetzin I. Flam Rebbetzin J. Soloveitchik Agudah Member - 49 years. Seminary Coordinator Dean The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 29 AGUDATH ISRAEL LAUNCHES AGUDATH ISRAEL KEEPS UP Reserve LEADERSHIP TRAINING PRESSURE Sunday, May 8, 1977 PROGRAM ON WHO IS A JEW Encouraged by its outstanding growth in The Agudath Israel faction in the Knesset for the the past few years, Agudath Israel of has once again formally proposed to the America has launched a campaign to recruit Knesset to amend the "Who Is a Jew" law, 55th Anniversary Dinner and train young men for leadership roles in recognizing only those who are Jewish ac the organization. Using the project name cording to the halacha. The Agudath Israel of LEAD (acronym for Leadership Enrichment motion came after numerous attempts to add And Development), this new program will definitions to the "Who Is a Jew" law which Agudath Israel of America develop the leadership talents of a group of fell short of recognizing the authentic young men through private meetings with halachic definition of Jewish identity. Ac at the New York Hilton leading G'dolei Torah and other key cording to the Agudath Israel version, the Agudath Israel and community leaders. amendment would simply state that a Jew is Project LEAD has initiated an intensive one who is recognized by the standards of search to find B'nei Torah under the age of the Torah. The motion was subsequently ARE YOU . . . convinced that 35 who are endowed with leadership poten defeated by a 39 to 25 margin. your year after high school tial qualities, including enthusiasm, commit should be devoted to Jewish ment, intelligence, integrity, concern and the will hopefully develop their talents as future ability to influence people. Leaders of leaders of Agudath Israel. Studies - with no distrac· Agudath Israel, rabbis, and community For applications, nomination forms or !ions? leaders have been asked to nominate more information, call or write the Coor . . . seeking a seminary members to participate in this program. Only dinator Project LEAD, Agudath Israel of a select group of qualified individuals will be America, 5 Beekman Street, New York City whose programs are geared named to participate in the program, which 10038, (212) 964-1620. to your development and growth as a bas Torah? . . . prepared to study 1 diligently under a superior on':>n1 ::i i::ru ::i w n !!==== o•us1w~:»1J.llil' 1901> ITY n:?>n faculty, in an atmosphere 3 ,OON conducive to the realization N"O!N,"fJ',;:i.·l,i' - '""l:l}J T1Jr: f'l~:i of your goals? r / ... ready and able to come SIZE: to Yerushalayim for a year? 22.' • 2.8' 1HEN . • . you must be thinking about Midrasha! FIRST ••. ask a Midrasha alumnus AFTER1HAT ... call 212 436·1254, or write to: Midrasha 1456 46th St. Brooklyn, N. Y. or P.0.B. 16055 HEBREW ACADEMY PUBLICATIONS DEPT. Jerusalem, Israel 1860 South Taylor Rd. ALSO . . • for an inspired summer Cleueland Heights, Ohio 44118 ... there is the Midrasha Sum· Catalogue sent upon request - 30 cents mer Program. Six weeks of tour· ing, learning, living and loving 10 Maps ...... $1.00 each ...... $10.00 Eretz Yisroel. For religious girls 5 Maps ...... $1.25 each ...... $ 6.25 over 17. Single Maps ...... $1.50 30 The Jewish Observer/ January, 1977 Correction 10,000 TORAH HOURS STUDIED IN PIRCHEI LEARN-A-THON OVER TEN THOUSAND HOURS were studied by sylvania, who chalked up 106 hours, were "The Struggle to Protect Jewish more than 500 youngsters from yeshivas and declared the top finalists in the contests Cemeteries in Poland," featured in Talmud Torahs in the Seventh Semi~annual which took place in cities throughout the the December '76 edition of the Hasmodah Contest sponsored by Pirchei United States. Jewish Observer, was completely Agudath Israel of America. This year's con In addresses to the youngsters, Rabbi Naf written by Chaim Feinberg, based tests, which took place over Succos and was tali Basch, menahel of Mesivta Taras Emes on independent research and inter marked at a celebration in Bora Park on Kaminetz and Rabbi Mordechai Nitzlach, views with Dr. Isaac Lewin. While January 2nd, were expanded to include com Assistant Principal of Yeshiva Rabbi Samson the factual material in the article petition in Pirkei Avos, mitzvos and Hikhos Raphael Hirsch, impressed upon the children was submitted to Dr. Lewin for ap Shabbos to encourage youngsters to spend the importance of this unique method of proval before publication, some of more leisure time delving into learning Torah Torah training under the auspices of Pirchei on their own. his corrections were not incor Agudath Israel of America_ The chairmen of porated into the article. Therefore, At the festive celebration earlier this the various contests were Rabbis Avrohom Fishelis, Shmuel Kurtz, Eliyohu Steger and Dr. Lewin does not assume the month, the top winners were announced. Benyamin Ladds of Stamford, Connecticut, Raphael Wallerstein. responsibility for all the statements who studied 150 hours, and Ezriel that appeared in the article. Mandelbaum from Philadelphia, Penn- REAL ESTATE HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU COUNTED Office & Desk Space - Rent THE 39 A VOS MELOCHOS OF SHABBOS SUBLEASE - Reasonable - and then skipped lllrl!l ,m,.,1< .ri•i 'n::i •nw n111111 ,11'•1:1 1-2 or 3 rooms with telex. because "they are related to weaving"? City Hall area. (2121 962-3939 THE GARTENBERG & MEHL FAMILIES are happy to announce that they will be at the luxurious Now the lull TAMIMENT RESORT & meaning of a pui:zlirig but COUNffiYCLUB vital are-a of the in the Pocono Mountains MelochOs Of Only 90 min. from George Washington Shabbos has been Bridge rendered 'clear iri a newly published booklet: Magnificent quarters "The Melochos Pertaining To The Weaving Process" Fantastic facilities :u1ix ni::ixr,~ tiitmi' Rates: · by Rabbi P. Bodner Standard $445 a member of the_Kolel of Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, NJ. Superior $495 featuring-: Deluxe $515 1) explanation _of the weaving process and each of the four related Melochos in dear, The entire facilities of the precise English; TAMIMENT will be GLATT 2),, eas_y;-to~understand illustrations that bring this cotnp_lex and o_bscure area into i'.?Vetyone' s gtasp; KOSHER for PASSOVER and 3) explan~tory fOotnotes, soutces; and a Special settion of detailed study and b,tr;,,,n-in completely under the control of the Hebrew, GARTEN BERG MEHL RABBI MOSHE FEINSTEIN 1<"0•?11" "This publication fills a most urgent need. The FAMILIES author_ has succeeded in -plumbing tht! depths of this halacha with great predsion.-,, FOR INFORMATION CALL: A must for Torah scholars, teachers, and laymen GARTENBERGS $Z per t:opy discounts for quantity orders (212) 822-0554 (914) 356-6141 Distributed by Z. Berman,/Books/1340 53rd St,/Brookly~, N.Y. 11219 Gartenberg - 851-6280 available in Hebrew 'Book Stores Mehis - 241-4925 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 31 !llze Cliitdren of .MtshllOlt UJOttld like gott to join 111.em in honoring and payir)g tribute to our beloved The Jewish Child-Care .MorlOti &. Carol Plmchak and Guidance Center Mishkon B 'nai Yisroel In sincere gratitude for their • Foster Homes -a new response to magnificent support at our - • Foster Homes for eternal tragedy. Ptrst !lesttt11011talllltnnef Special Children Where does a child go • Preventive Services when his home has fallen which will take place on •Marital Counselling apart? When Parents can't Sunday eve., March 20. 1977 at 5 PM •Counsellors for cope? When illness claims a mother, breakdown of in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel Special Children a father? 5th Avenue, cor_ 59 Street, N. Y.C. • Registered Nurses Where does a child find for your pleasure a Sparkling Musical •Psychologists light and warmth and love Program will be rendered. • Psychiatrists when his world has turned • Special Therapists to dark, cold and hostile? For Reservations and Information Coll: Mishkon B'nai Yisroel •Training in Skilled professionals, except· Self·Help Skills ional foster parents, counselors, 00 • Religious and doctors-all the skills of mo Secular Education dern social sciences and eternal Torah values give each boy and· llt!ll girl a home and hope. Mishkon B'nai Yisroel, Inc. And a future. But we cal"I do it only with 4105-16 Avenue, Brooklyn,N_Y.11204 your support. (212) 851-6570 Bathsheva Mandel Rabbi David Singer Foun SORRY- ~iltlii§Jiilijiff~!.11§911!1.1Jiiifil.liiiJ'i!f~ THE GREATEST SUMMER EVER we must stop sending TOUR tor boys 10-11 w.. 1e or call-TOOAV-fo• 1flusl,aled h•ochute •nd i1i~c•a•y THE JEWISH OBSERVER IS RAEL Camp s·deo Chemed fnte,nal•Mal • flabbo El• Te•lel~aum, E•ec ;:i., 16\8 (J,d St Brooklyn.NY !1204 • (212\ 633·1909 . or contact when your subscription tONG !St.ANO: f'labbo' M G01lesman. 33~8 4th S!, Oce~'lS 32 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 RESHET SHIUREI TORAH 5,ooo AT OPENING OF AGUDAH CONVENTION IN ISRAEL ORGANIZED 150 STUDY GROUPS The number of study groups benefitting from ReSHeT Shiurei Torah (Torah Educa tion Network) programs continues to grow and accordng to the latest count by its chairman, Rabbi Shlomo Oppenheimer, and its executive director, Rabbi Yaakov Bender, there are now nearly 150 study groups benefitting from the Agudath Israel adult Torah study program. The subject of Torah study deals with every level from the beginn ing of the Alef Bais to advanced Gemora. The latest figures for ReSHeT include 30 lecture groups which meet in different loca tions throughout the city, 105 sets of chavrusas, 25 of them via telephone hookups, and numerous study lessons in smaller suburban areas through Torah tapes. For most of the individuals who participate in this program, the opportunity to study Torah for the first time has introduced a Led by the nation's foremost Gedolei healthier Jewish perspective into their lives. called for the unification of Agudath Israel. Torah, 5,000 people jammed into the For others, with a background limited to Other addresses were heard from Rabbi Binyanei Haumah Convention Hall in childhood Jewish education, the return to ac Chaim Shmulevitch (Rosh Yeshiva of Mir), Jerusalem for the opening session of the 6th tive Torah study after a prolonged absence is the Sadegerer Rabbi, the Vishnitzer Rabbi, national convention of Agudath Israel, a refreshing spiritual experience in their Sefardic Chief, Ovadya Yosef, Rabbi Betzalel which took place on Monday, November adult lives. Zolty, Rabbi Pinchas Levin, Rabbi Shlomo 22nd. The key address of the ev~ning was, Yaakov Gross, Rabbi Menachem Porush, The following are some case histories from delivered by Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, and Rabbi Yehudah Tzedaka (Rosh Yeshiva the files of ReSHeT Shiurei Torah: Rosh Yeshiva of S'fas Emes, chairman of the Paras Yosef). A cable sent by the presidium YONASON has been out of yeshiva for more Central Committee of Agudath Israel, who of Agudath Israel of America was read to the than two decades. His forte' being business, expressed the hope that the convention convention. would serve as a unifying factor within the learning Torah was not part of his program After the keynote session, 300 delegates during leisure hours. As a former yeshiva Agudath Israel movement in Isreal. He gathered in the Galei Sanz Hotel for the two student, however, he was one of the first to pointed to the many monumental achieve day business sessions. The delegates had respond to the announcement by Agudath ments of the movement in Israel, and alluded previously been chosen at the recent elec Israel that it was launching an adult study to the "bankruptcy of the secular ideology tions in which 15,000 voters participated. program. ReSHeT immediately responded by which was based on the destruction of Rabbi P.M. Alter was re-elected as chairman religion." dispatching a young man studying in of the Central Committee and Rabbi kollel to study Torah every Shabbos after A high point of the opening session was Menachem Porush was elected deputy noon with Yonason. Within a few weeks, the brief greeting from the Gerer Rebbe, who chairman. Yonason requested to expand this study program to three evenings, and shortly thereafter he found that his interest called for idea of living a fully observant Jewish life, TORAH STUDY is also important for those an additional program every morning. and all signs indicate that this will become a who have physical restrainsts. For MOSHE, a The effects of this program left their mark reality this winter. man in his seventies who suffers from a on Yonason's entire family. His wife and IVAN, a recent Russian emigre', who applied chronic heart ailment and happens to reside children finally found the "man in the for a job at Agudath Israel's manpower in an inaccessible neighborhood, there was house" was no longer only a provider of the agency, Project COPE, inquired as to how he only one option left for Torah learning: bread, but a source for Torah knowledge. might learn more about Judaism. Referred to Every day, a young kollel man from the Mir FOR DR. RUBIN, a successful obstetrician on ReSHeT, the program arranged for the rer Yeshiva in Brooklyn places a call to him Long Island, there was never any room in his regular family sessions to discuss Judaism to study for a half-hour over the phone. family's life for religion. All he knew was from a broad perspective. Seated around the Requests for learning Torah continue to that he possessed a hidden thirst for knowing living room couch were Ivan, his wife, two pour into ReSHeT offices almost daily. more about his heritage and when he learned children, a son-in-law, and his mother. Dur Anyone who is interested in participating in of ReSHe T, he too applied. He currently ing the last half-hour of each session, the this unique service and help Jews learn studies weekly with a senior student from ReSHeT volunteer studies Torah with Ivan, Torah should contact ReSHeT Shiurei Torah Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim of Forest Hills, who so that he can transmit his knowledge to the (Torah Education Network} at 5 Beekman has taken him from the Hebrew alphabet to rest of the family. He, too, is well on his way Street, New York City 10038, or call (212) an understanding of Jewish law and lore. Dr. toward leading a fully committed Torah way 964-1620. Rubin's family is now grappling with the of life. The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 33 MASS TORAH PROJECTS FOR EUROPE'S JEWS ZEIREI AGUDA TH ISRAEL MAPPED AT AGUDA TH ISRAEL CONFERENCE PUBLISHES SCHOLARLY TORAH JOURNAL The fifth edition of the scholarly Torah journal, Am HaTorah, published by Zeirei Agudath Israel of America, was released recently. The Am Ha Torah is unique in that it is a compilation of outstanding -Torah research works contributed by yeshiva stu dents from around the country. In addition to featuring articles on Torah !earning by members of Zeirei Agudath Israel, the 196 page Torah journal of the Agudist youth movement also contains scholarly Torah es says by Torah giants of the past generation. This edition carries articles of such past eminent Torah' scholars as Rabbi Aaron Kotler, Rabbi David Kronglass, Rabbi ANTWERP, BELGIUM Massive programs to Rabbi Moshe Sherer, executive president of Ephraim Mordechai Ginsberg, and the develop Tor ah study groups for adults and to Agudath Israel of America, call upon Novominsker Rebbe - of blessed memory. It bring the message of Judaism to uncommit Europe's Orthodox Jews, regardless of their also includes a scholarly work by the world ted youngsters throughout the continent differing lands of origin, to unite under the renowned Torah authority, Rabbi Moshe were mapped out at the Conference of Euro umbrella movement of Agudath Israel to Feinstein. Am HaTorah is edited by Rabbi pean Agudath Israel Organizations which develop effective action programs for Torah Yechezkel Feldberger. concluded its four-day deliberations here and Yiddishkeit. The mass meeting, which Monday night. In order to implement a wide was chaired by the president of Agudath PUBLISH POCKET SIZE range of new activities for the furtherance of Israel of Belgium, Shlomo Klagsbald, heard OAF YOMI GEMORAS Torah observance and Jewish education greetings from Antwerp's Chief Rabbi among the masses, the conference es Chaim Kreiswirth. The three mesechtos of Baitza, Roshe tablished a federation of Agudath Israel The conference also dealt with problems of Hashana, and T aanis are contained in a uni organizations of Europe, with temporary Russian Jewry, as well as many issues facing que pocket-size volume, as an aid for par headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Israel. The delegates resolved to conduct ticipants in the daily Talmud study program, emergency campaigns in Europe for thr> it was announced by the Oaf Yomi Commis Among "the resolutions adopted at the Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel) sion of Agudath Israel of America. Measur world-attended sessions, were plans to educational network, in response to a cabled ing Sl/2" x 8", it will enable those par mobilize Orthodox Jews on the continent to request signed by four of Israel's dis ticipating in the Daf Yomi program to carry "wage total war against the waves of as tinguished Torah leaders: the Gerer Rebbe, and study the volume regardless of where similation which threaten to spiritually the Ponovezhe·r Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eliezer they may be during the day. decimate European Jewry," the establish Shach, the Steipler Rav Rabbi Yaakov A spokesman for the Daf Yomi Commis ment of a "Keren Chizuk HaDas" to finance Kanievski, and the Vishnitzer Rebbe. The sion said that these Gemoras will not be such projects as the building of Mikvaos, Israel government was called upon to amend available in book stores and are designed creating new religious summer camps, the "Who Is A Jew" law to specify that con solely for the convenience of Oaf Yomi par publishing religious literature for the youth, versions must be in accordance with halacha. ticipants. The volume was published on a and launching a scholarly Torah journal for Among the speakers and participants at non-profit basis and is available for the cost Yeshiva students. the European Conference of Agudath Israel price of only $2.50 by sending a check to Oaf The conference closed with a huge mass were distinguished rabbis and communal Yomi Commission of Agudath Israel of meeting at the local Eurotel Hotel, where a leaders from England, Switzerland, Den America, 5 Beekman Street, New York City capacity crowd heard the convention's guest, mark, France, Holland and Belgium. 10038. Bring the excitement and inspiration of The Keynote Session of the 54th National Convention of "Agudath Israel of America Agudath Israel of America People Serving People" into your home with the addresses of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein/Rabbi Moshe Sherer/Rabbi Shmuel The beautiful, audio·visual presentation 1150 full color slides Arye Levin (Buenos Aires)/ Rabbi Shraga Crossbard (Israel) with a taped narration and musical soundtrack that was the-talk and Of the Thursday evening's (English) Symposium: National Convention of Agudath Israel "Torah Life And a Free Society-Can They Co~exist?" You can borrow the entire 18 minute package free of charge to Rabbi Pinchas Teitz (Elizabeth, N.J.)/ Rabbi Emanuel Feldman (Atlanta) liven up and insp!te your assembly program or meeting 2 cassette package for $4 for your set wri!e Write to Agudath Israel of America Agudath Israel of lsrael/5 Beekman Street/NYC 10038 5 Beekman St./NVC 10038 or call (212) 964-1620 or call (212) 964-1620 34 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 In the heart of the famous Jewish resort community and management of with Rabbinical Lakewood, New Jersey supervision by Rav Dr. Joseph Breuer, K'hal Adath Jeshurun Open all year Reseivations for Pesach now being accepted - Special Holiday rates Combines the relaxed luxurious comfort of a modern resort with the warmth, hospitality and strictest standards of kashrus. ... Reasonable rates ... Large airy comfortable rooms ... Cholov Visroel ... Sauna - steam room ... Shabbos elevator ... Indoor heated pool (for those permitted tt> use It according tl> halacha) ... Shu! on premises ... Air conditioned ... Complete sprinkler system We specialize in catered affairs, for that special function you've been planning ... wedding ...sheva brochos ... anniversary ... birthday ... Bar Mitzvah ... weekend banquet ... business meetings. - Groups and conventions our specialty - Just one hour's drive from New York City and Philadelphia For the affair you'll always remember - For information call: Remember the Malibu N.Y.C. Directwire (201) 363-0740 Owner operated 477-1550 The Jewish Observer I January, 1977 35 • When was the last time your youngsters read a really good Jewish book? You might ask, though: How do you find a good While they entertain the young reader, the Jewish children's book? Producing quality books develop his understanding for the world reading-matter for the youngsters is no·child's of Torah, and deepen his love and respect for play. We've been in the business for years, religious devotion, past and present. pioneering in Torah-true English literature for Some titles are fine translations of renowned all ages. And we know. children's books. Others were written original· We take pains to produce good books. For the ly in English. In either case, those books of ours children, too, we publish works they will that bear the insignia "Jewish Youth Classics" honestly like: well written, with absorbing justly deserve it .... plots and good characterization. And parents In short, these books are good. Choose some also welcome these books, since they're true to from this select list, and try them out on your the ways and values of authentic Judaism. favorite children, And you'll see. FOR AGES 3-6 6) The Baal Shem of Michelstadt, by Judaeus: a 11 A Child's Dictionary of Jewish Symbols, by Alex J. children's classic about a wise and devout "miracle Goldman, illustrated by Joseph Kastner: clear text and worker." $4.50 pictures on Jewish objects and concepts. $4.50 FOR AGES 7-10 7) The Family y Aguilar, by Marcus Lehmann: a Jong popular novel on the plight and heroism of Jews in the 21 Avi Names His Price, by Sheindel Weinbach: a young drama-filled days of the Spanish Inquisition. $4.50 '·collector'' who must clean out his closet for Pesach earns a wonderful reward. Cheerfully illustrated by 8) The Light from the West, by Selig Schachnowitz: an Bracha Sorotzkin. $2.95 enthralling novel on the life of the Chasam Sofer, one of FOR AGES 10-13 our greatest Torah leaders in the past. $4.50 3) Happy is the Heart, by Sarah Birnhack: "a year in the 9) The Prisoner & other Tales of Faith, by Solomon Alter life of a Jewish girl" written and illustrated with Halpern: 26 stories by a London rosh yeshiva about warmth by an educator in the Bais Yaakov.movement.. children in historic, dramatic situations, past and $4.50 present, learning important lessons about their people and faith. $4.50 4) The Golden Shoes & other stories, by Gershon Kranzler, a master of modern folktales in the authentic 10) Yoshko the Dumbbell & other stories, by Gershon spirit of the Torah. $4.50 Kranzler: 17 inspiring tales about the past decades. $3.95 FOR 13 AND OLDER 5) Akiba, by Marcus Lehmann: the memorable story of FOR ALL AGES & SIZES the shepherd who became religious head of Jewry and 11) The Children's Haggadah: famous for its movable finally died a martyr under the tyranny of Rome. pictures, that have delighted generations of good $4.50 children at the Passover seder. $7.00 ------, I To: P. Feldheim Inc I 96 East B'way I New York NY 10002 1 One thing is certain: FELDHEIM BOOKS gives you I value for your money I Many of our prices have not Send me iO 20 30 40 LJ O: risen at all in the last 3-4 years. Over the past 10 years, a good number of our prices have risen by 10 a0 90100110120: only one dollar! D Send me your new free complete list of publications for children. So all things considered, shouldn't some of these Enclosed find check for $. books be in your home, in easy reach ofthe children? (Print clearly) Name ...... Just use and mail the handy coupon. Order each book by number, writing in its box how many you want. For postage and handling add 7 5¢ for the first book, 50¢ for address ... zip. each additional one. Add NY State sales tax where applicable. And if you'd like our NEW complete list of 28 citv, ...... state ...... publications for children, just check the last box.