SPECIAL MEMORIAL ISSUE

KehilathJeshurunBulletin

D^n owip onrraa Even after death the righteous live on

SUMMER 1986

njya '-i 2"in pa ]D^T na^tr '-i 2min p

RABBI MOSES ZEVULUN MARGOLIES "THE RAMAZ" 1851-1936

THE FIFTIETH YAHRZEIT 7 ELUL THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 1986 4:30 P.M. CALI ON PRESIDENT. Meyer Margolis, of New York, standing with President Coolidge at a re.ception as rabbis from all over the world, in convention at Washington, called at the White House to pay their respects to Mr. Coolidge. Herald Tribune Photo—Acme 50TH YAHRZEIT OF RABBI MOSES ZEVULUN MARGOLIES TO BE COMMEMORATED BY CONGREGATION KE HI LATH jESHURUN and Thursday, September 11, the 7th of Elul Memorial Program to be Held in Main at 4:30 P.M.

Dear Members of the K.J./Ramaz Community:

On Thursday, September 11, at 4:30 in the afternoon, corresponding to the 7th day of Elul, we will gather together in the Main Synagogue in observance of the 50th yahrzeit of my great-grandfather, Rabbi Moses Zevulun Margolies, after whom the Ramaz School was named. He died on Tuesday, August 25, 1936. Approximately one year later, at the beginning of September 1937, the doors of the Ramaz School were opened for the first time. The school was founded by my father, Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, in memory of his grandfather by marriage. As you will see from the contents of this Bulletin, and as you will hear through the program on September 11, Ramaz, like KJ, is very much a mirror image of this extraordinary man. The program on September 11 will begin with Mincha services, lead by a great great-grandson of the RaMaZ, Steven J. Schacter, class of 1968. It will continue with a presentation by Prof. Jeffrey Gurock, class of 1967 who will present a curriculum vita of the RaMaZ, an extraordinary picture of the wide-ranging influence of this great personality. Four graduates of Ramaz — Danielle Gorlin Lassner, '55, Stephen R. Gross, '64, Mindy Lookstein Cin¬ namon, '79 (another great great-grandchild) and Joshua Rochlin, '84 — and a senior student currently at the school — Jeffrey B. Kobrin — will give brief presentations explaining what it has meant to them to go to a school that was fashioned in the image of Rabbi Margolies. The program will conclude with a shiur by the Rosh Kollel at , Rabbi Herschel Schachter, on the subject and Toras Chesed—An Inquiry into the Purpose ofLearning Torah. We expect that the pro¬ gram will conclude before 6:00 o'clock. In this special memorial issue of the Bulletin you will find material which will give you something of an idea about the impact which my great-grandfather had not alone on our community but on the wider Jewish world. A careful reading will explain why KJ and Ramaz are the kind of institutions they are and why my father, of bless¬ ed memory, was the kind of extraordinary rabbinic personality he was. Probably the most precious part of this Bulletin is the presentation here for the first time of a chapter from my father's unfinished autobiography (entitled "God Owes Me Nothing") which describes Rabbi Margolies and the relationship that my father had with him. Read it; learn from it; laugh along with my father as he recalls the exceptional wit of this great Torah-sage; and finally, weep along with me as you read some of the most poig¬ nant chapters in his life. I am grateful that the opportunity has come along which warrants the publication of this chapter at this time. I wish I could share with you some of my own personal recollections about Rabbi Margolies. My father always told me that I was very close to him but I was only four years old when he passed away and I have no recollections of the relationship. All I can say is that as I read more and more about him I understand more and more what all of our obligations are as we work together in the American Jewish community. Let me close with a recollection given to me just the other day by Mrs. Harry Freundlich who grew up in this community and who remembers Kol Nidre night at KJ when she was but four or five years old. Gazing at this patriarchal personality, robed in his white kittle, with a high white yarmulka on his head and with his flowing beard, she remembers pointing him out to her mother and saying: "Is that God there?" What a beautiful memory about a man who practiced the highest priority of Judaism: imitatio Dei—trying to be as much like God as our human nature will allow. As Ramaz begins its 50th year celebration and as the congregation enters its 115th year, we can say with gratitude that what my great-grandfather left behind was a heritage to which we are faithful and to which we pledge our continued strength and resolve to learn Torah, to love all Jews and to practice acts of chesed. I hope you will join us on the 11th. Very cordially yours, Haskel Lookstein t New fork (Hunts Founded in 1851

THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1936

RABBI MARGOLIES Rabbi Margolies was born in Kroza, Russia, in April, 1851. His DIES OF PNEUMONIA rabbinical training was obtained in the yeshivas of Kroza and Bialys- tok. At the age of 26 he became a rabbi in Sloboda, where he served Dean of Orthodox Synagogue until he was called to Boston in 1889 as chief rabbi of the Orthodox Heads, 85, Zionist Leader community there. and Jewish Educator. Came to New York in 1906

In 1906 he came to New York to fill the pulpit of Congregation Kehi¬ FOUNDER OF RELIEF CROUP lath Jeshurun, 117 East Eighty- fifth Street, one of the largest and most influential Orthodox congre¬ gations in the country. He con¬ Rose From Sickbed in 1933 to tinued to serve as rabbi there until Address Meeting of Protest his death, although in recent years most of the actual duties of the Against Anti-Semitism. post devolved on his grandson, Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, who was associate rabbi of the congre¬ Special to Thk Niw York Timx*. gation. BELMAR, N. J.f Aug. 25.-The For many years president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the Rev. Moses S. Margolies, dean of and Canada, Rabbi the orthodox rabbis in North Amer¬ Margolies took a leading part in ica and head of the Kehilath most Jewish movements. At his Jeshurun Synagogue of New York, death he was honorary president died at the Carlton Hotpl here of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis and of Yeshiva shortly after 5 A. M. College, which he today. He did much to build. became seriously ill of pneumonia He was founder and honorary a week ago. His age was 85. chairman of the Central Relief His wife, a son, Hyman Mar¬ Committee, which was merged later golies of New York, and a daughter, into the American Jewish Joint.Dis¬ Mrs. Ida Newman of Newark, N. J., tribution Committee. He was chair¬ were at the bedside when he died. man of the Rabbinical Board of Funeral services will be held to¬ New York, head of the board of morrow morning at the Kehilath education of the Uptown Jeshurun Synagogue, Eighty-fifth Torah and a director of the Rabbi Street near Park Avenue, New Jacob Joseph School and of the Associated Press Photo. Hebrew York. Sheltering and Immigrant RABBI M. S. MARGOLIES Aid Society. A pioneer Zionist, he was active at Protest Spoke Meeting In the Mizrachi, the Orthodox Zion¬ Failing health after he reached ist Organization of America. He the age of 80 did not diminish the organized the supervisory system active participation of Rabbi Moses under which kosher meat was dis¬ S. Margolies in Jewish affairs. tributed in this city and, in cooper¬ Among the institutions in Jeru¬ Anti-Semitism in moved ation with other Jewish leaders, he Germany salem which he served as chairman him so deeply that he rose from a founded the Kehillah here. were the United Charities, the sickbed on March 27, 1933, to ad¬ Former Head of Yeshiva College Kneseth Israel, the Diskin Orphan dress. a protest mass meeting at concern with Asylum, the United Home for the Madison Square Garden. His problems of Jew¬ ish education led him to Aged and the Rabbinical College Dean of the Orthodox Jewish rab¬ seek the Torah Chayim. He was also treas¬ binate in this country, he organization of the secular high brought urer for many yeshivas in Poland the audience of school department of the Rabbi 20,000 to its feet and Lithuania. as he Isaac Elchanan Theological Semi¬ pronounced a prayer in He¬ Rabbi Margolies had four chil¬ brew nary, out of which grew Yeshiva asking that the persecutions dren by his first wife, who died in cease and College. He was president of the that the hearts of the 1912. A daughter, Mrs. Etta enemies of Israel be softened. college and seminary for several years. Schlang, died in 1932, and a son, No religious or cultural activity Samuel Many institutions in Palestine Rabbi Margolies of Cleve¬ here or abroad was the foreign to held his interest. More than 1,000 land, died in 1918. The surviving scope of Rabbi Margolies's inter¬ children are Mrs. Ida Newman of trees were planted in his honor est. His chief objective was the Newark and of there. A special tract, known as Hyman Margolies establishment and expansion of in¬ this the Ramaz Forest, was established city. There are twelve grand¬ stitutions of Jewish children and three learning and friends, acting through the great-grandchil¬ throughout the world, and he was Jewish National Fund, contributed dren. one of the first to recognize the to the tree planting. The name was necessity of combining religious and taken from the word "rabbi" in secular knowledge in these institu¬ conjunction with Mr. Margolies's tions. initials. f

lark (Stmea Founded in 1851

THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1936

400 RABBIS ATTEND GOVERNOR TRIBUTES BY MARGOLIES SERVICE PRAISES RABBI LEADING JEWS

American Jewish Congress Pays Work and Personality of Rabbi 1,500 Mourners in Synagogue Tribute to His Work. Margolies Are Praised. as Thousands Jam Street The American Jewish Congress, Jewish leaders in the city Joined at His Funeral. In a telegram signed by Nathan D. yesterday in praising the work of Rabbi Moses S. Margolies. Among Perlman, acting president, sent con¬ the tributes were; dolences yesterday to the family of Dr. BERNARD REVEL, President GRANDSON SPEAKS EULOGY the Rev. Moses S. Margolies, say¬ of the Faculty of Yeshiva College ing that "the spirit of his deeds will —Dr. Margolies was a recognized live on in the Jewish congregation." and revered leader of the Amer¬ Dr. Revel of Yeshiva College Among other tributes were: ican Orthodox rabbinate. He was Governor HERBERT S. LEHMAN a unique spiritual personality. Praise^ Orthodox Dean's —I have just learned with very Master of the entire field of Jew¬ Work for Education. deep sorrow of the passing of my ish lore and law, he dedicated his friend Rabbi Margolies. His use¬ life to the dissemination of Jew¬ ful and beautiful life will long ish learning and idealism and was serve as an inspiration to those a great force for God and good, More than 1,500 mourners attend¬ who are fortunate enough to have for selflessness and spirituality in known him. His ed the funeral services yesterday deep learning, the life of the Jewish community his unwavering faith and his no¬ in this land. afternoon for the Rev. Moses S. bility of spirit will always remain Rabbi HERBERT S. GOLDSTEIN, Margolies, dean of the orthodox as an example to those of our Honorary President of the Union rabbis of America, at the Kehilath faith and to others with whom he of Orthodox Jewish Congrega¬ Jeshurun Synagogue of New York, came into contact. tions of America—Rabbi Mar¬ FELIX M. WARBURG—During the 117 East Eighty-fifth Street. The golies was above all a great au¬ many years I had the privilege of thority on Jewish law, which en¬ rabbi, who had been the head of working with him I learned to ap¬ abled him to be a liberal inter¬ this congregation for thirty years, preciate his splendid qualities as preter of it: He was not a clois¬ died Tuesday at Belmar, N. J., at a peaceful, wise leader of his peo¬ tered scholar, but a friend to all the age of 85. ple. He was broadminded in his who sought his aid. views and wise in his counsel. He Long before the services the Borough President SAMUEL LEVY will be sadly missed. —The sense of personal loss sus¬ crowd began to gather in the syn¬ tained through the passing of my agogue, filling every seat and the revered rabbi and teacher is tran¬ aisles. Other thousands lined the scended by the loss to American and streets. They were handled by six¬ Rabbi Lookstein said that the two Israel world Jewry. Though outstanding traits his supreme contribution was to teen patrolmen from the East Six¬ of his grand¬ father were his passion for learn¬ the cause of Jewish learning in ty-seventh Street station. There ing and his tolerance this land and everywhere, he nev¬ were 400 rabbis among the mourn¬ "The former made him one of the ertheless gave of his spirit and ers, some of whom had come here most prolific Jewish students in the leadership to every cause for the from the Middle West and New land, who no less than thirty-eight welfare of Israel. He was the un¬ England. times began and completed the crowned head of Orthodox Jewry. Shortly before 1 P. M. Rabbi Mar- Talmud," he said. "The latter vir¬ Rabbi J. L. HOROWITZ, President golies's body, in a plain pine coffin, tue made him one of the most lib¬ of the Descendants of Rashi Asso¬ was carried to the synagogue from eral interpreters of Jewish law, ciation—He was the most noble his home, 106 East Eighty-fifth seeking always to make the Torah man in American Jewish life and Street, across the street, and placed the law of life for the Jew." his kind cannot be duplicated. before the altar. The pallbearers Rabbi Kanowitz, saying that SAMUEL D. LEIDESDORF, Presi¬ were rabbis and members of the Rabbi Margolies was the father dent of the Federation for the board of trustees of the congrega¬ and provider of the students and Support of Jewish Philanthropic tion. Robert R. Fingeroth, cantor institutions in Europe and Pales¬ Societies of New York—New York of the congregation, chanted the tine during the distressing years has lost a great religious and com¬ services. after the war, added: munal leader. He was influential Eulogies were delivered by the "European and Palestine ortho¬ in the philanthropic life of the Rev. Joseph H. Lookstein, grand¬ dox Jews have lost their father. community. His counsel and son of Rabbi Margolies and asso¬ They are now orphans." guidance will be greatly missed. ciate rabbi of the Kehilath Jeshu¬ After the orthodox services, the run Synagogue; Rabbi Joseph Kan- body, escorted by thirty cars and owitz, president of the Union of a motor cycle police escort, was Orthodox Rabbis of the United taken to Mount Carmel Cemetery, States and Canada, and Dr. Ber¬ Cypress Hills, L. I., for burial. nard Revel, dean of Yeshiva Col¬ Among the mourners were Samuel lege. The latter, speaking of the late Levy, Borough President of Man¬ rabbi as a distinguished scholar, hattan; Judge Jonah J. Goldstein said- of the Court of General Sessions; "Rabbi Isaac and Elchanan Theo¬ Magistrates Samuel M. Katz and logical Seminary would never have Nathan D. Perlman and many Jew¬ been able to exist were it not for ish civic and business leaders. Rabbi Margolies's efforts."

iV Stye fnrk (Himzs Founded in 1851

THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1936

Bratlia

MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses S He was one , devoted of the guiding lights In husband of Ida Braz Margolies and dear Judaism and a stanch defender of his father of Ida Newman, Hyman, the late faith. His heart was in the sanctuary and Rabbi Solomon Margolies and the late the Joy of his life was to serve God in Etta Schlang. Funeral services will be it. His memory will always live and be held in the Synagogue of Congregation cherished in the annals of our Institution. Kehilath Jeshurun, 117 E. 8oth St., to¬ To the bereaved family we express day, 1 P. M. heartfelt sympathy and condolence. Mem¬ bers are MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses 8 The mem¬ requested to pay tribute by at¬ bers of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun tending services at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, 117 East 85th St., stand with bowed heads and heavy hearts today, at 1 P. M. Interment Mount Carmel at the loss of their beloved and revered Cemetery. Mrs. PETER J. Pres. Rabbi, universally recognized as the Dean SCHUEiTZER, Mr. ADOLPH of the Orthodox Rabbinate of America. LOI'RIE, Secretary. For thirty years he ministered in our MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses 8. The Jewish midst, giving us bountifully of his deep Center, 131 West fcflth 8t.. sorrowfully learning, inspiring us by the nobility of announces the death of Rabbi Moses 8. his spirit and sustaining us by his pro¬ Margolies, Dean of the Orthodox Rabbis found understanding and unfailing sym¬ of America His leadership and influence pathy. For thirty years we drank in In the field of traditional Judaism, edu¬ thirst his words of guidance, seeing all cation and Jewish philanthropy during the the while the greater vision of Judaism last fifty years mark an epoch in human and recognizing through his teaching that service the equal of which has not been in our ancient faith, uncompromised and approached by any individual of his time unadulterated, lies the salvation of Israel. The members of this institution join with A prince of the Torah was our guide, the Jews the world over in mourning the a scion of the sages and prophets was our passing of this venerable saint in Israel. leader. Our deepest tribute to him is the WILLIAM! FEIN BERG, President. pledge ideals that the he implanted in us MAROOLIEK—-The Central Jewish Institute and the principles of Judaism that he records with deep sorrow the death of represented, we shall cherish eternally Rabbi M. 8. Margolies, one of the found¬ Ana the whole house of Israel shall be¬ ers of the Institute and an honorary wail the irreparable loss. Director for over twenty years. Funeral services will be held today, 1 A venerable tower of strength, hs up¬ P M . in our synagogue, 117 East S5th held the cause of progressive Jewish edu¬ St. Members are requested to attend. cation One of the great patriarchs of FREDERICK MARGARKTKN, our age, he was an to President. example youth and a pillar of learning and piety among the HERBERT J ROEDER. righteous of Israel Acting President. ISAAC COHEN, GEORGE President. JACOBS, Secretary. ALFRED E KORNKELD Secretary MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses S. Board of MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses S. The Sister¬ Directors of the Uptown Talmud Torah hood of Kehilath Jeshurun Joins with the records with profound sorrow the death of entire Congregation and with all of their beloved Director, Rabbi Moses 8 Israel in mourning the death of our great Margolies By his death the institution Rabbi. His kindly and radiant personality and the community at large have suffered made of our synagogue not only a house a severe loss To the bereaved members of worship, but also a home in which of his family may the Great Comforter warmth and friendship impres¬ reigned send His divine consolation sively. be held to¬ Funeral services will BENJAMIN BROWN, Acting President day, 1 P. M., in our synagogue, 117 E. 85th St. Members are requested to attend. MARGOLIES- Rabbi M. 8. The Union of Mrs. JOSEPH H. LOOKSTE1N, Othodox Jewish Congregations of America President. mourns the loss of Its Honorary President, of Mrs EDWARD BERNARD, Secretary. dean the American orthodox rabbi¬ nate and one of the builders ot tradi¬ tional Judaism in this country MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses S. The Men's WILLIAM WEI88, President Club of Kehilath Jeshurun mourns the RABBI MAX J. WOHDGELERNTER, passing great and esteemed Rabbi of the Executive Director. of our congregation His patriarchal presence and saintly personality enriched MAROOTXE8—"And there has not arises our lives and made our hearts more sensi¬ in Israel a prophet likes Moses." Younf tive to the abiding truths of Israel's faith. Israel mourns with American Jewry the His spirit will never depart from our passing of Rabbi M. 8. Margolies, the memories. Funeral services will be held beloved dean of orthodox rabbis In Amer¬ ica. today, 1 P. M , in our synagogue, 117 A force of inspiration to JtwisR East 85th St Members are requested to Youth, his memory shall ever be rertied. attend. National Council of Young Israel, Judge SAMUEL M KATZ, President. JACOB O. ZABRONSKY, President HARRY ETRA, Secretary MARGOLIES—Rabbi M. 8. The Yeshlva MARGOLIES—Rabbi Moses S. The Officers and Yeshiva College mourn with all Israel and Directors of the Home of the Daugh¬ the passing of the sare, scholar and be¬ ters of Jacob, Joined by our 500 old men loved Rabbi M. 8. Margolies, who was and women, learn with great sorrow of President of this Institution for many the passing of Rabbi Morris 8. Margolies, years, at the time of his passing Honorary "the greatest of the generation," the President. Dean of all Rabbis. HARRY ROGGEN, Vice President. A RABBI OF THE OLD SCHOOL by Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein

Mordechai Epstein of Slobodka; Reb Elchanan He may not know who Plato and Aristotle were This chapter is the Wasserman of Baronowitch; Reb Isser Zalman from unpublished but he is intimately acquainted with Rabbi Akiba autobiography en¬ Meltzer of Jerusalem and many others whom I ofRabbi Joseph H. Lookstein and Maimonides. He may never have studied titled, God Owes Me Nothing. It appears inprint was pastoral psychology but he is a superb pastor privileged to meet and to know. They were here all rabbis of the old school. for the first time. nonetheless. Instinct, common sense and even¬

tually experience are his methods in dealing with How can they best be described? What was people. their common denominator? They were first and foremost I do not want to great Talmudic giants. They were My grandfather Moses Zevulun Margolies was glamorize or idealize the rab¬ bis of the old school. I merely desire to describe religious jurists who knew the law, expounded a rabbi of the old school. This is not meant as it and decided it. They were arbitrators, them as I know them from a personal contact with pejorative description. By modern standards counsellors and one-man Federations of Jewish such a rabbi lacks the qualities needed for a new my own grandfather and with the illustrious col¬ Philanthropies. Their doors were never leagues who visited him from far and near. I closed; age and a new generation. But that is hardly the the recall the sainted first Chief Rabbi of Israel, light of their lamps burned late into the night. way to appraise his true worth. A rabbi of the old Abraham Isaac Kook. I remember Rabbi They were sensitive to a tear, moved by sorrow school may be deficient in secular education but Abraham Dov Ber and responsive to a troubled heart. They could he is extremely proficient in Jewish knowledge. Shapiro of Kavno; Reb Moshe

Rabbi Margolies at the right head of the table at the Board of the Joint Distribution Committee in November, 1914. 7 administer a rebuke that would reach its RaMaZ was an target acronym of his full name, Rabbi of Bialystok. After his ordination in the year and extend a caress that could lift a wilted soul. 5636 Moses Zevulun, and it is by he that acronym that became the dayan of his native city and the This, I would he was universally known. submit, is a candid snapshot-a following year he was called to the rabbinate of snapshot, but not a Sloboda where he full-length portrait—of a rabbi Rabbi Margolies was born in 1851 in the small served for twelve years. of the old school. In 1889 at the Lithuanian city of Meretz, not far from the age of thirty-eight he was invitee to assume Such a renowned cities of Kovna and the chief rabbinate of Boston. There rabbi was my grandfather, under whom Slobodka. He was he established I served for thirteen educated a city-wide Chevra Shas over years. During those years privately by his uncle Reb David'l of Krosczer the Rabbi of Meretz. which he presided apprenticeship I learned from him how to be Subsequently he throughout his stay in that city. a rabbi. became an assistant to He taught me more Rabbi Simcha Halevi was than I could learn Boston not a happy ministry for him. True, at the Yeshiva. Horowitz, the Rabbi of Kroscz. there were some exceedingly learned men there The with whom he could associate but it abounded Our formal studies together included Talmud yichus or pedigree of my grandfather was most in and Codes but side he was unsavory characters as well. The informally I learned even more distinguished. On his father's slaughter the houses and the butcher by merely observing him as he practiced the rab¬ grandson of Rabbi Abraham Maigolies, chief shops which he had to binate. of the Beth Din of Telshe supervise were in the hands of difficult In that practice he was a consummate and of Rabbi Wolf people who caused him master. Altschul chief of the Beth Din of Lutzan, who hardship and anguish. Public was the author of the book scandals were not uncommon and his There are four sections in the rabbinic codes, Sefat HaYam. In the gentle nature could he introduction to that book the not cope with them. used to say. They are known as the Four Parts lineage of the family is of the Shulchan traced to Rashi the great commentator of the Aruch. But there is a fifth part Jewish Bostonians still remember that when Bible and which Talmud. On his mother's side he was his many overlook—common sense. Rabbis oldest daughter Ida was married the food serv¬ the cannot afford to lack that. A grandson of Reb Eliyahu Krosczer who was ed at the rabbi simply must wedding supper was poisoned and many the have sechel. brother-in-law of the Gaon of Vilna* of the guests became ill. This dreadful act was attributed to the butchers. Rabbi Maigolies was ordained by uncle The famous playwright Actually Rabbi Margolies was my wife's grand¬ his and S.N. Behrman, a father but I by Rabbi Yom Tov Lippman Rabbi nephew of Ida, reported that adopted him as my own. He was the Halpern the bizarre in his book the Worcester ornament of the episode Account family and became mine as well. *Biographical information can be in Who's Who found in a I in chapter entitled "The Daughter of the revered and loved him and as a demonstration Judaism; Ha'tor, Volumes 35,37; Jubilee Vol. of Ramaz." It was even Agudath Harabbonim of U.S. and Canada the theme of his "The of my feelings for him I established the Ramaz 1927; Ency. play Religious Zionism, Vol. 3. some Cold Wind and the Warm" which had a short run School as an Regrettably data are everlasting memorial to him. in conflict and to hard verify. on Broadway.

Rabbi Margolies (Front Left Center), Torah carrying from the old Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary to its new building home in Tannenbaum Hall at Yeshiva University. 8 told me that he was once visited by Louis Mar¬ shall and Judge Otto A. Rosalsky. They wanted him to intercede with Adolph S. Ochs the publisher of The New York Times. It seems that a series of articles appeared in that newspaper unfavorable to the Jewish community of New York. It was felt that the prestige of Rabbi Margolies might bring some degree of retraction of those articles. The Rabbi reacted with characteristic wit. "Gentlemen," he said, "let me quote Isaiah. The Ox (Ochs) knows its purchaser."

I recall another incident. The Romance of a People conceived by the ingenious impressario Meyer Weisgal was scheduled for its final per¬ formance at the Polo Grounds in New York on a Saturday night in late August which happened to be the first Slichoth. The performance was to start at eight in the evening which at that season of the year would involve violating the Sabbath. Weisgal came to see Rabbi Margolies in the company of Ephraim Kaplan, a well-known or¬ thodox journalist connected with the Jewish Morning Journal, at that time a very important Yiddish daily. They wanted the Rabbi to grant ab¬ The 1929 of Graduating Class Rabbis at Yeshiva University (RIETS). solution, as it were, for the "slight" Sabbath viola¬ Seated in the Front Row are Rabbis Aranowitz, Leventhal, Revel, tion involved. By way of inducement Weisgal pro¬ Shkop, Margolies and Selmanowitz. posed that after the performance which would Eastern be past midnight the entire audience of 60,000 After seventeen years in Boston Rabbi Europe. A good many of them were would recite a learned and a substantial number were men of Slichoth led by chorus of cantors. Margolies came to New York to minister to Con¬ wealth. gregation Kehilath Jeshurun which had just built The Rabbi reacted immediately. "If you would a magnificent Synagogue on East 85th Street. The so-called English speaking rabbis who ask me to absolve 60,000 Jews from saying served with him were Slichoth I could do that easily. But Sabbath is a How did that happen? There is an interesting young ministers. I knew all three of them—Mordecai M. Kaplan who was different matter." story connected with it. The great Rabbi Ya'akov later to found the Reconstructionist movement, David Willovsky of Slutzk known as the Ridbaz, Weisgal continued to plead. "We consulted the Herbert S. Goldstein who became the president was on his way to Safad, Palestine, and stopped great rabbis of New York. All of them advised of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of for a short stay in America to sell his comment¬ us to speak to you. We now come to you as the America and Elias Solomon who was at the time ary on the Jerusalem Talmud. While in New "fork court of last resort." he worshipped at Kehilath Jeshurun whose rab¬ president of the United Synagogue. They were "Mr. Weisgal," the Rabbi responded with a bi at the time was Mordecai M. Kaplan. accomplished pulpiteers and because of their age twinkle in his eye, "the Rabbis misdirected you. were more acceptable to the younger generation. The Slutzker Rav, as he was called, heard Dr. I would have to refer you to Moses. He was the Yet Rabbi Margolies maintained his superior Kaplan and one who gave us the preach sensed that young Kaplan was position even against such talent. Sabbath." critical of the ideas and practices of traditional There was no argument after that. A wise and Judaism. He warned the leaders of the congrega¬ His primary preoccupation was study. The witty observation scored an important point. tion against "this young man" who would lead gemorah was always on the dining room table and as a rule it was them religiously astray. He urged them to appoint always open. He was an early riser. One of his rabbinic associates in the congrega¬ At five in the morning he was already at the a traditional Rav and proposed Rabbi Margolies tion was known as the "marrying and burying" of Boston whom he had met during his travels gemorah and he could pore over it for hours at rabbi. On a Sunday it was not uncommon for him a stretch unless communal duties demanded his through the United States. to officiate at a wedding, a funeral and several attention. He would make a siyum on the com¬ tombstone unveilings, all in fairly rapid succes¬ After the accustomed auditions and interviews pletion of the whole Talmud every year on the sion. He was once late for an unveiling which he Rabbi Margolies was "called" to what was then Yahrzeit of his mother. It meant that he covered was to share with Rabbi Margolies. He later known, and is still referred to as, the 85th Street fourteen pages of the Talmud every day. apologized by explaining that on that Sunday he Synagogue. The salary he was to receive was a I recall had four unveilings. With smiling eyes Rabbi munificent six hundred dollars a year. Even for visiting him about a week before Passover one year, he Margolies mildly rebuked his colleague in Yid¬ those days such a salary was laughable but the when was ill. He complain¬ dish: "A mensch, you know, should never go on ed to me that the many duties of rebbetzin Margolies, a bright and determined the pre-Passover all four." lady insisted that her husband come to New York. season kept him from his daily study routine. "So what does God do?" "He made me sick, so "I will scrub floors and do my own wash but I that Rabbi Margolies became the acknowledged I would stay home catch want you in the 85th Street Synagogue." and up." What diligence! head of the New York rabbinate and the accepted A man thanks God for illness to enjoy the fringe Dean of the American rabbinate. Naturally there He served as Senior Rabbi of the synagogue benefit of study. were many jealous of him and some challenged for thirty one years—from to 1906 his death in his eminence. One outstanding rabbi could not He was a sharp August 1936. They were blessed years for him. gifted with and crisp wit. He contain his envy and gave public expression to He was virtually adored by the congregants of employed it not to entertain anyone but to drive it. Once a letter arrived from abroad and the home a that day most of whom were immigrant Jews from point and to help solve a problem. He 9 Ij

envelope was marked Chief Rabbi of New York, consider these ploys necessary. Some of the table. Among them is Rabbi Margolies. (The pic¬ U.S. A. The post office delivered the letter to him. foremost orthodox rabbis use the elevators ture is found in this bulletin on page 7.) Rabbi Margolies looked at it and without smilingly said hesitation as long as a non-Jew operates to one of his grandsons. "Can 1 them. help it if the We have Rabbi Margolies to thank for this He worked with rabbis and laymen Postmaster irrespec¬ appointed me as Chief Rabbi?" convenience. tive of their religious affiliation. He officiated at He kosherized In milk and other dairy products appearance he looked the part. He was wedding ceremonies with Dr. Samuel Schulman for Passover use under patriarchal looking. His long white beard fram¬ proper supervision. of Temple Beth El and Dr. Nathan Krass of Before Passover I would ed a smooth and florid face. Every hair of his accompany him on long Emanuel. I attended with him the funeral service to trips far into the Catskills inspect milking barns of Louis Marshall held at beard, white before its time, lay in place. He was Temple Emanuel and and depots and even farm houses to make sure he was extremely careful of his appearance. Frequent¬ the cynosure of all eyes, as he the Dean that his instructions and regulations were observ¬ of Orthodox rabbis sat in his ly on Fridays when I called to accompany him high yarmulke ador¬ ed. The to the theory for his action was enun¬ synagogue I could see the rebbetzin on her bravely ning his white head. The spirit of separatism now knees ciated: "The more kosher products that can be current polishing his shoes. He wore dark clothes, would hardly have had him as an provided, the more will kashruth be observed." a Prince Albert coat, a white shirt with hard col¬ adherent. lar and a white bow tie. The philosophy has in our He once me changed day. This told that he sat on the platform at In the atara is a synagogue with his talis and silver day when the "prohibitive" rather than the a Zionist meeting as Stephen Wise was deliver¬ he looked angelic. It was his custom to read the "permissive"attitude prevails. Strict interpretation ing an address. Dr. Wise turned to him and then Torah portion on Yom Kippur and on the first and strict decision of the law is the current day policy. to the audience and said: "Look what Zionism of Shevuoth when the Ten Commandments are I once heard Rabbi Judah Leib Maimon of Israel can do. It can bring to the same platform a read. He also read the goy Megillah on Purim and against this me inveigh policy. "What is not permit¬ like and a sage like Rabbi Margolies." of course the Neilah service on Yom Kippur. ted," he said, "my bobe also knew. Rabbis should Whenever I recall his last he performed these roles it was done tell you what is permitted." public appearance. It was at Madison to perfection. Square Garden, at the first rally con¬ I used to make out his income tax return and vened by the American Jewish Congress to pro¬ I remember his as I listed very last appearance on Kol his charitable deductions, I said to him: test against the Hitler Nuremberg laws. He was Nidre night it was custom to when his preach a "Grandfather, I envy you many things, your Torah feeble at the time. Yet he could not stay away. He sermon in Yiddish. His text was the last Mishna knowledge, your prestige, your had to his great add voice to the collective protest of in the Tractate Yoma. "Thus did R. Elazar ben achievements, but above all, I envy your American Azariah Jewry. expound . . Rabbi Elazar's exposition generosity. He turned serious for a moment and His hands trembled as follows. Rabbi Akiba continues in the same said: he read his "alpi din (according to the law) such envy message but Mishna: "Blessed are his voice never wavered as he stood you, O Israel." Faltering- is not a violation of'Thou shalt not covet.' Con¬ facing the ly he said, "R. Elazar was a tinue to huge audience. When he finished, young man, he was envy that practice and one day God will twenty thou¬ sand able to bless people rose to their feet in reverence and expound; R. Akiba was already old, he you to be even more generous than I am." could appreciation for a beloved only pronounce a blessing. I am no longer religious teacher of I often wondered where he found time for the Judaism. able to engage in a lengthy I exposition. That enormous leave to quantity of communal work that he did my young grandson. I can only give you I drove home with him that because it seemed that he was night. He sat in the my on this perpetually stu¬ blessing holy night." taxi repeating to himself the words he had dying. Yet his life was so organized and his time spoken at Madison I followed him in the so Square Garden. Tears were pulpit. My eyes were wet. perfectly apportioned that he was able to give rolling from his All I did was translate his himself eyes. words into English. to causes and institutions of every variety. Many of the congregants were in tears. He never His last He was a Zionist all his life and devoted time days on earth are difficult to forget. entered the pulpit again. The following August and effort to all that They are reminiscent of the tales about the he died. pertained to Palestine. He zjadikim of old in which fact and was the American treasurer of every important legend are sen¬ Rabbi Yeshiva timentally intertwined to form cherished folklore. Margolies was an acknowledged in Europe and Palestine. His cor¬ My grandfather used to authority on Jewish religious law. Rabbis from respondence was extensive. I found exchanges spend his summers all over the in Belmar, New country would turn to him for opin¬ of letters with Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, with Jersey at the Carlton Hotel. Day ions and decisions. In his after day he sat in his decisions he was in¬ Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky of Vilna, with the appointed chair in a cor¬ clined to be ner of the lenient, always favoring a liberal in¬ Chofetz Chaim of Radin and with other rabbinic porch, deep in study. On the Thurs¬ terpretation of the law. day prior to the week of his "greats" of his day. His letters were written by passing he was at the as usual. When he finished hand and in excellent Hebrew. was not gemarah his lesson, When he was once It until complimented by rabbinic he closed the he reached the seventies that he gemarah and kissed it. It was a kiss colleagues that he was fortunate in that whatever engaged a of farewell. He never returned to it. he secretary to help him. says people follow, he responded, "that is not On Saturday he was wheeled into the hotel correct; what people will follow, I say." When the Central Relief Committee came in¬ synagogue. He was accustomed to receive the to He was the being after World War I, he was one of its prime Shlishi authority who permitted using an aliyah at the Torah. The owner of the founders and leaders. When some apartment house elevator on the Sabbath when years later that hotel, Morris Goldstein, noticed that the Rabbi run organization became part of the Joint Distribu¬ looked by a non-Jewish operator. I as a younger rabbi unusually weak this morning. tion Solicitously never took Committee, he transferred his time and he advantage of this permission until I inquired, "Rabbi, would you want your regular saw energies to the new organization. He sat at its him one Sabbath entering the elevator aliyah this morning?" The Rabbi answered soft¬ councils with the himself. I giants of the American Jewish followed him into it unhesitatingly, ly. "Today give me AcharonT It is the last sec¬ Community — Jacob Schiff, Felix tion of the realizing that to do otherwise would be an act of Warburg, weekly portion. The Monday follow¬ Cyrus Adler, Rabbi Meyer Berlin, Professor super-piety and perhaps religious arrogance. ing he passed away. Israel Friedlander and the like. In the offices of This was my a Rabbi of the old In our grandfather, day all kinds of legal fictions are the J.D.C., one is a - gracing of the walls, large and school my model of what a rabbi should be. His employed to make the use of the apartment house impressive painting showing the foremost signature appears on my Smicha. But it is also elevator authorities not permissible. Halachik do American Jewish leaders round a conference inscribed on my heart. 10

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KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN CONGREGATION KEHILATH JESHURUN 125 East 85th Street New York, N.Y. 10028 HA 7-1000 Synagogue Officials Senior Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein.. . . 1923-1979

Dr. Haskel Lookstein Dale Polakoff Assistant Rabbi

Assistant Cantor Mayer Davis KEHILATH JESHURUN Israel D. Rosenberg Ritual Director

Robert J. Leifert .. . Executive Director BULLETIN Youth Director Roy Angstreich Published Monthly except Officers of the Congregation We are grateful to Yeshiva University, the July and August. Hon. President $15.00 of membership dues of Max J. Etra American Distribution Com¬ Nathan Salzman Jewish Joint Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun mittee and the Associated Press for per¬ covers subscription cost. Benjamin Brown President 125 East 85th Street Vice-President mission to Stanley Gurewitsch reprint photographs and to the New York, New York 10028 New York Timesforpermission to reprint the Phone - 427-1000 EXT. 264 , 265 Dr. Mortimer Blumenthal ^ . Secretary USPS #292-0600 Rae articles which Gurewitsch originally appeared in that Second Class Postage paid at

. . .Pres. Men's Club Dr. Theodore Goldstein New York, New York

Isaac Pollak . .Pres. Couples' Club publication. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Office Staff Congregation Kehilath Chana Wolk Jeshurun Florence Cohen Eileen Shore 125 East 85th Street Bookkeeper Hattie Murphy New York, New York 10028

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