nineteenth-century battle Rabbi its discussion of Dr. Belkin’s impact on Hashem. Samson Raphael Hirsch led, with a YU and, ultimately, on the wider arena Dr. Belkin was also a pioneer in the Books small number of families, to establish of American Orthodoxy. ba’al teshuvah movement. Together an independent Orthodox congrega- Dr. Belkin was a pioneer of higher with the late Rabbi Moshe Besdin, he tion in Frankfurt. education for Jewish women. In the established YU’s James Striar School of In general, the twenty-five years fifties, against significant opposition, General Jewish Studies (JSS) for new- after the conclusion of World War II he established Stern College for comers to Judaism. JSS offered an were rough times for Orthodox Jewry. Women. As such, Dr. Belkin’s actions intensive course of Jewish studies to Conservative Judaism (claiming to be were as revolutionary as the creation of those who were not yet Orthodox. It was Orthodoxy Awakens: The while his colleague, as the de facto II. Geller’s observations, recollections loyal to halachah) was on the rise, and the Beth Jacob schools for women was a model for various other schools created Belkin Era and Yeshiva spiritual head and rosh hayeshivah, was and discussions make for interesting the American congregational scene was in Eastern Europe after World War I. in the United States and in Israel in University the larger-than-life figure of the gaon, and highly rewarding reading. Geller marked by constant strife over such Not only did Dr. Belkin bring about the wake of the Six-Day War. Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the By Victor B. Geller offers the reader a host of recollections issues as mechitzah and driving to ser- the creation of a cadre of educated Thousands have since graduated from founding father of Modern Orthodoxy about the makers and shakers of vices on Shabbat. Orthodoxy was on Orthodox Jewish women in America, this school, including more than a few in North America. The Rav’s authority Modern Orthodoxy that are not well the defensive in those years. Yet with but these same women were responsi- prominent rabbis and scholars. and aura always overshadowed that of known. Amongst these are his efforts the help of men like Geller, Dr. Belkin ble for raising halachic standards in But above all, Dr. Belkin never for- Dr. Belkin. When reflecting on YU on behalf of Dr. Belkin to have LIFE and YU succeeded in helping to create got his roots as a yeshivah “man” from and on Modern Orthodoxy in the sec- magazine, during the Eisenhower a strong American Orthodoxy. This Radin. He never forgot his days as a ond half of the twentieth century, years, include an article about was accomplished through outreach Dr. Belkin treated rosh mesifta (lecturer in Talmud) in the most think of the Rav rather than of Orthodox Jewish life in a special issue efforts to congregations and the train- Yeshiva of New Haven, under the Dr. Belkin. Thus, this volume comes on religion in America. Although the ing of young English-speaking, col- the Rav with the leadership of the chief rabbi of New to fill an important lacuna in the study task seemed fairly easy at first, it took lege-educated rabbis who were able to greatest respect, Haven, Rabbi Yehuda Levenberg, nor the steady hand of Geller, with Dr. meet the needs of the new post-War did he forget his service as a rosh Dr. Belkin's Belkin’s guidance, to bring this project American community. Among those and their relationship yeshivah at RIETS, under Dr. Revel and to fruition. The article, along with rabbis were men such as the late Rabbi was a model of how the gaon Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik. reputation and accompanying photographs, was able David Stavsky of Columbus, Ohio, Although at times he had policy dif- record have been to demonstrate that Orthodoxy in who traveled to various communities executive and ferences with the Rav, Dr. Belkin America was not relegated to the dying and succeeded in generating interest in spiritual leadership always deferred to him. Dr. Belkin overshadowed by both immigrant community, but that tens traditional Judaism. treated the Rav with the greatest Urim Publications his predecessor and his of thousands of otherwise acculturated Geller also provides the reader with can work respect, and their relationship was a Jerusalem, 2003 American families lived their daily much interesting information about in harmony. model of how executive and spiritual 291 pages successor. lives guided by the values and guide- the history of YU. Among the subjects leadership can work in harmony. Dr. Reviewed by Zalman Alpert lines of traditional Judaism. Projects he touches on are Dr. Belkin’s attempt Belkin was directly responsible for the of Modern Orthodoxy and YU—the such as this brought Judaism “to the to bring the late gaon Rabbi Eliezer M. the Modern Orthodox community in hiring of such European scholars as The Talmudic sages inform us that life and times of Dr. Belkin. The streets” and showed the eternal values Shach to YU as a senior rosh yeshivah many areas of Jewish life in which Rabbis David Lifshitz, Avigdor the deceased are forgotten by future author of this well-researched mono- inherent in Orthodox Judaism. of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan women played a central role. For this Cyperstein, Shimon Romm (a friend generations, and that this fate befalls graph, Victor Geller served in many Geller also offers a fascinating Theological Seminary (RIETS). alone, Dr. Belkin deserves the collec- from his days at the yeshivah in even great rabbis and personalities. important executive positions on the account of the history of the first (Geller, however, does not mention tive thanks of American Jewry. Slonim), Yeruchem Gorelik (a top stu- Such is the case with the subject of the staffs of YU, the Orthodox Union and Orthodox synagogue in Great Neck, Dr. Belkin’s invitation to the late Dr. Belkin was a firm proponent of dent of the Brisker Rav, Reb Velvele) volume under review, Rabbi Dr. the National Council of Young Israel. New York. Here Geller played the role Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky to join the Torah Umadda school of Jewish and other staff members at RIETS. Samuel Belkin, the second president of As such, he played a crucial role in of catalyst, providing learned advice to RIETS in a similar capacity.) He also theology. As such, he was committed Although not mentioned by Geller, in Yeshiva College, which is now known building the vibrant and strong a small group of laymen seeking to discusses the fact that the Rav gave to the creation of professional schools the late fifties, Dr. Belkin established a as Yeshiva University (YU). Although Modern Orthodoxy that emerged in break away from a Conservative con- serious thought to leaving YU to of higher Jewish education, and to the kollel for European scholars at YU. But Dr. Belkin accomplished much during the 1970s. Geller was a close associate gregation. The leader of this group was become head of the Hebrew training of professional laymen dedi- Dr. Belkin also helped to develop his tenure as president, his reputation of Dr. Belkin and was able not only to none other than the famed author Theological College in Chicago. Had cated to the ideals of Torah Umadda. American-born scholars to eventually and record have been overshadowed by observe him up close, but also to inti- Herman Wouk. We now take it for he accepted the position, Chicago Dr. Belkin not only did much to take their places in the leadership both his predecessor, Rabbi Dr. mately participate in his activities on granted that many suburban commu- would probably not be the “second ensure the vitality of RIETS, which ranks at YU. Thus, Dr. Belkin was Bernard (Dov) Revel, and by his suc- behalf of the Orthodox community in nities and areas of second and third city” as far as American Orthodoxy trained rabbis and educators, but he extremely dedicated to the well-being cessor, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. the United States. settlements have Orthodox synagogues was concerned. In fact, years later the established professional schools under and growth of RIETS. Without the In addition, Dr. Belkin had the As a trained and veteran Jewish and communities. But that such con- Rav’s younger brother, the gaon Rabbi the auspices of YU, such as the Albert foresight and executive talent of Dr. “misfortune” to serve as president communal professional, Geller offers gregations exist is largely due to the Ahron Soloveichik, did accept the Einstein College of Medicine and the Belkin, American Orthodoxy would his learned and sagacious insights into dedication of men like Geller, Dr. position. Ultimately, he created his Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. have a different look today. While the Mr. Alpert is the reference librarian at events and situations involving Dr. Belkin and Wouk. In fact, Geller’s own yeshivah in Skokie, Illinois, These schools have produced thou- Rav was the developer of the soul of the Mendel Gottesman Library of Belkin’s work in building American description of Wouk’s struggle in Yeshivas Brisk of Chicago. Yet, the sands of men and women whose daily American Orthodoxy, Dr. Belkin was Hebraica/Judaica at Yeshiva University. Modern Orthodoxy after World War Great Neck is evocative of the mid- book’s most important contribution is lives serve as a study in Kiddush the developer of the body of American Winter 5765/2004 JEWISH ACTION Winter 5765/2004 JEWISH ACTION Orthodxy. turies. How do we address the fact present. Following the “Divine knowledge” “mysterious” creatures, and does so which appears below, does seem to As with all books of this sort, there are that rabbis have incorporated into Much of the study of the conflict approach, Dr.