Our Interview with Rabbi Kakon Behind Every Story of Success in Role Model

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778

בס''ד

A Publication of Yeshiva Yesodei HaTorah General Studies Department Our Interview with Rabbi Kakon Behind every story of success in role model. I also grew up with a learning, there are many long brother who does not hear, so we years of struggle. Every Talmid had each other growing up, and Chacham has, by definition, you could say that was my sup- walked a long, tough road. For port system. Another very im- Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Kakon, deaf portant thing is that my parents from birth, the challenge was always accepted me for who I greater than for most. When he was, and that was very crucial in was a teenager, success in learn- giving me self esteem as a child. I ing seemed beyond his reach – just never gave much thought to until a couple of unexpected, dra- the fact that it was supposed to be matic events changed everything. a negative thing to not hear! Our Grade 8 students, listening very carefully and intently, had a Learning is often difficult even chance to interview the Rosh Ye- for those who have perfect shiva of Toronto’s own Nefesh hearing. What were the extra Dovid, the world’s only dedicated challenges for the Rosh Yeshi- yeshiva for young men with hear- va, and how did he overcome ing loss. them?

Transcribed by Eliyahu Kakon, That is a good question. When I Grade 8 grew up I did not go to yeshiva. I went to public school, because, at that time, many yeshivos were not Where was the Rosh Yeshiva equipped to take in children who born? did not hear or who had special needs. I went to public school I was born in New York. I lived in until I was about sixteen. Lakewood for three years. Then Then it happened that I went to we moved to Los Angeles, where Toronto for a Shabbaton where my father was a rebbe in Rav Israel, but my father is the only Photo by R’ A. Dworetsky there was a group of deaf kids. Simcha Wasserman’s yeshiva. one who went to America. My grandfather went to help them, much loved by his father, the so I went along, with my brother, What can the Rosh Yeshiva tell My mother is an einekel of the Brownsville Rebbe, who taught to be part of the experience. Over us about his parents? Baal Shem Tov, through her fa- him at home. Shabbos I had the opportunity to ther. My grandfather’s father, who meet with bochurim from Ner Yis- My father was born in Morocco was known as the Brownsville Was the Rosh Yeshiva born roel, and we really hit it off. When and was very young when his Rebbe, was one of the earliest with hearing loss? Or was it the I came home I realized that I father was niftar. When he was rebbes in America, and the son of result of something that hap- could not stay in public school. I about 10 or 11, he went to Lon- the Yampoli Rebbe, Rav Eliezer pened later? told my parents, “I need to go to don with his two brothers, one Chaim Rabinowitz. My own yeshiva.” They supported the older and one younger, to learn in grandfather was Rav Dovid Yes, I was born with a hearing idea, but they said that since I had Rav Moshe Schneider’s yeshiva. Eliezer, so I got the other name, loss. My older brother also does one more year at high school, I There were many boys who came Chaim, from my great-great-great- not hear. He lives in Flatbush. I should finish. Then I could go to from Morocco to learn in his ye- grandfather, the Yampoli Rebbe. was born with a twin sister who yeshiva, maybe in Israel, to help shiva. Many times there was not My second name, Tzvi, I got from hears, B”H. me learn. But I was not happy. enough food to eat, and Rebbet- the other side, through my grand- Somehow, something told me, zin Szemiatacki used to take my father’s maternal grandfather, my What were the Rosh Yeshiva’s “No. It needs to be now – not in father into her home and give him great-grandfather, Rav Naftali experiences socially as a child? six months or a year, but right extra food when she could. She Tzvi Horowitz, an einekel of the Was he lonely? now.” So I wrote a letter to my had a soft spot for my father. Ropshitzer Rebbe. Rav Naftali new friend, Reb Yossi Years later, Hagaon Rav Aharon Tzvi is buried right here in Toronto Sometimes I felt lonely. It had to Bienenstock from Toronto, who Kotler came to visit the yeshiva, on Roselawn; there is a small be expected due to the fact that I now lives in Israel, and I told him and that year he took one talmid, ohel by the entrance to the Bais could not hear. I could not, or was how I felt. One week later, I got a my father, to Lakewood. That’s Hachaim. My mother grew up with not allowed, to be part of groups. letter back, “Come to our yeshiva. how he came to America. His two deaf parents. Her father, when he But, Baruch Hashem, I had the We will help you.” So my father brothers, my uncles, are still sit- was growing up, was the only one zechus to know my grandfather. called and spoke with the Rosh ting and learning in Yerushalayim. in his family who did not hear. He He lived near us wherever we Yeshiva, Rabbi Naftali Friedler They went from England back to was the youngest child and very went, so he was a very important - continued on Page 10 Let’s Talk Tachlis ______2 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 From the Many, One

By Rabbi Mendel Bornstein declared: “There are two occasions when fam- well.” Principal, General Studies ily comes together, at times of sorrow and at “No, that would not suffice. It was important times of celebration.” that you appreciate the gravity of the situation, The atmosphere is festive. The band churns Chazal teach us that the lack of camaraderie and how close this man’s plight is to my heart. out melody after melody of leibidige chassid- wrought upon us the churban and our subse- I could only accomplish this by exerting myself ishe niggunim. The centre floor is a nonstop quent dispersion into exile. Consequently, its physically to display how earnest I am about arena of lively, high-stepping dancers. The restoration, the spirit of family, will herald our this issue, and how much I view it on a per- mechutan and the chosson are regally attired redemption. sonal level. There was no other way!” in satin and velvet. It is truly a sight to behold, Yet sometimes we need a gentle reminder. “Since the Rebbe needs a more significant a real rebbishe wedding. The Kopishnitzer Rebbe zt”l once braved the donation, can I make out a cheque?” Hey! Who is that “clown” jumping into the mid- frigid winter weather and travelled to midtown “No problem. A cheque is fine. As long as I dle of the circle? Does he think the onlookers Manhattan to meet one of his wealthy chassi- can deliver the funds immediately.” are interested in watching him? Surely he dim. As he entered the office, the secretary The philanthropist whipped out his cheque must realize that he’s out of place at this affair! immediately recognized the rebbe and swiftly book. “To whom shall I make it out?” There He’s not even dressed properly for such a notified her boss of his esteemed and unex- was a split-second hesitation. chassidishe wedding. He’s from a completely pected visitor. Breathlessly, he burst into the “Make it out to your brother.” different clan, poles apart from all the other antechamber. Rav Gad’l Eisner zt”l, the famous mashgiach, guests. Oh, look how courteously the “Rebbe!” He blurted out. “What happened? stressed the importance of caring for family. mechutan is handling him, the attention he is Why did the Rebbe come all the way from To some this includes spouse and children. To giving him, how warmly he is dancing with Brooklyn on such a freezing day?” others it consists of all close relatives. But to him! But doesn’t the guy realize that he “I came for a very serious issue that could those greats like the Kopishnitzer Rebbe zt”l, doesn’t belong here? Well, certainly not in the bear no delay. Someone is in dire need of family encompasses all of Klal Yisroel. centre, and definitely not for so long! Some assistance, and I believe you might be able to When we reach that lofty goal of feeling for people, I guess, just don’t seem to get it. help.” each other as one large family, we will be that Years go by, tragedy strikes, and our noble “But for this the Rebbe needed to make a spe- much closer to becoming one happy family. mechutan is now sitting shiva. I enter the cial trip to Manhattan? I see the Rebbe every The events of the last few weeks are a giant house for nichum aveilim and there he is day in his bais medrash! Why didn’t the Rebbe step in that direction. May it hasten the arrival again; my nemesis, the intruder at the wed- just solicit the funds from me in Brooklyn? I of the Goel Tzedek, speedily, in our times. ding. Here again, he takes centre stage, dom- would be willing to help in Brooklyn just as inating the conversation. Once again, I men- tally praise the aveil for the patience he dis- Artwork by Menachem Farkas, Grade 7 plays while engaging the same nudge in conversation. And then, only then, in a moment of epiphany, it hits me, and I realize. I am once again a young bochur in yeshiva, and my rebbe, Hagaon Rav Gifter zt”l, is explaining the dichotomy of Tisha B’av. On the one hand, it is a day of mourning, on the other, a yom tov. “There are two occasions when family comes together, at times of sorrow and at times of celebration,” he elucidates. “Although the dis- positions are diametrically opposed, the fact is that when families unite, the harmony brings with it an element of yom tov.” So that’s it! He is neither a clown nor a nudge. He is family. In the past few weeks we witnessed a harmony that encompassed the two extremities of the spectrum. On the one hand, a conflagra- tion snuffed out the lives of a mother and three precious children, a tragedy of such immense proportions that the pen shirks from recount- ing it. But there was the family, our nation, to share in the grief, to console, and to lend a helping hand. It was the solace that only family can offer. On the other hand, a short while later, a Jewish man incarcerated for a dispro- portionately long sentence was released. Le- gal experts, both Jewish and not, insisted that the sentence was a travesty of justice, and that more than a touch of anti-Semitism was exhibited. His liberation exploded in a sponta- neous outpouring of revelry and celebration. People who neither knew nor ever saw the man danced exuberantly in the streets. It was rejoicing with family. It was just as my rebbe

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Photo by Melnick Studios

A photo of a painting of a photo of Aharon Leitman (foreground) and his brother fixing clocks. Archival research by Benzy Minzberg, Grade 8 The Story of Mr. Aharon Leitman

In each issue of Let’s Talk Tachlis we try to Though the Second World War started on the names mentioned on this list. As they were interview a Holocaust survivor from our com- first of September, 1939, when the Germans walking down the path, Frau Leitman told her munity. This time, our YYH students had the invaded Poland, the occupation of Hungary children to go into the latrine trench and stay privilege of interviewing Mr. Aharon Leitman, a only began in September of 1944, when the there until she came back. Because they were longtime Toronto resident who davens at the Hungarian fascists corroborated with the Na- children, and also because no one stayed Agudah. Like the other survivors we have zis. When this happened, all the Yidden living there for too long, they were able to remain for been zoche to speak to, Mr. Leitman lived a in Hungary, including the entire Makóvian pop- hours unchallenged until Mr. Leitman's mother frum life and busied himself after the war earn- ulation, were rounded up. returned and took them back to the tents. She ing a parnassah and raising a family. Until you Two or three months later, the Nazis started realized that only the poorer people had been ask such a man, you might never know the transporting the Yidden of Makó 30 or 40 kilo- called. Those trains were to go to Auschwitz. story of how the Nazis tried, more than once, metres to a neighbouring, but larger, town. "If my mother wouldn't have done that," Mr. to send him to Auschwitz — and just how This place had a brick factory which was built Leitman said, "I don't think I would be here close he came. on a gigantic lot. The Nazis turned it into a now." housing ground for the soon-to-be-deported A couple of deportation calls later and the lot By Bentzy Balter, Grade 8 people, pitching dozens of tents on the lot and was almost entirely deserted. They realized Mr. Aharon (Harry) Leitman was born in a little cramming people in. that the train on the following Tuesday would town called Makó, or Makóve, a city with a People would wait in these tents until the first be theirs. When Tuesday came, the entire population of approximately 50,000 people, of deportation call, which arrived one Shabbos remaining population of the lot was stuffed into which 5,000 were Jewish. This town was situ- morning, at around 10 a.m. The kapos came the cattle cars, 92 people in each car. After ated in southern Hungary, near the border of into the tents and called out names of people five to six hours, the Nazis opened the doors Yugoslavia and Romania. who were to be deported. The people named and let people out – both the ones still alive When Mr. Leitman was eight – prior to the on the roll call would walk down a long road and the ones who were not. start of the war – as he came home from leading toward train tracks and the waiting Suddenly, the train stopped. After an hour or school each day, he would pass by a tavern cattle cars. Every few hundred metres, there two of non-movement, the train finally started on the side of the road. The children of the were latrines, or bathroom-trenches, running moving again, but the people on it soon real- tavern-owner used to wait for him to come along the side of the road. Boruch Hashem for ized that it was not going forward. The preva- home and would chase after him on a little those foul smelling trenches. lent theory on board was that the allies had wagon along with a huge dog. This would go Mr. Leitman's mother, Frau Leitman as she bombed the tracks. The reality, Mr. Leitman's on day after day after day, until the day that was called in German, as well as Mr. Leitman brother found out, was that there was a Jew- WWII came to Hungary. and his three younger siblings, were five of the ish lawyer who had - continued on page 12 Let’s Talk Tachlis ______4 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778

Around this time of year, we like to visit our Pre-1A students and collect their Our Third Annual thoughts on a variety of important matters. Grade 5 English teacher Mr. Mar- Pre-1A Survey kovits brought his students to interview their younger coun- terparts. Here’s what we found out.

What’s the best thing in the world? Who discovered Toronto? Hashem Avraham Avinu Learning Torah My Tatty Home A tzaddik A fire truck Justin Trudeau My Yetzer Tov Donald Trump Having a friend over A giant Strawberry yogurt What happens when you go to the den- What’s the worst thing in the world? tist? Mustard You get a cavity. Having to go to sleep He pulls your teeth. Aveira You get scared. Falling into cement You scream. Fighting They fix your teeth; it doesn’t hurt. My Yetzer Hara He gives you a filling. When it’s boring They take an x-ray. You get numb. Where do pickles come from? They help you. Hashem You get better. A pickle tree (most popular answer) Cucumbers When is Moshiach coming? Tap 75 years Your fridge When we do mitzvos A pickle jar When Hashem blows the shofar Hot lunch 500 weeks We don’t know When we’re in Eretz Yisroel When we daven really well When we be good Photos by Mrs. L. Feldman

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If it’s on sale By working very hard Clean-up work Pretend I’m an old man Look for it on the floor

What’s a chavrusah? When Hashem A sefer wants him to Someone that comes for Very soon your Tatty to learn In a few days We go to shul In two days A special thing Tomorrow A kind of shul person Today A watch (Tatties: do you In three minutes ever look at your watch and In two minutes say, “I have a chavrusah”?) Right now! How much money will it cost to If you could have anything you wanted, build the new school building? what would it be? $75 Chickens! $100 (most common answer, by far) My own siddur $521 Handcuffs A thousand bucks! A motorcycle A million dollars Noodles $10,500,000 A brother A billion A hundred billion How far is it from our school to Thorn- Infinity hill? 100 miles If you could be any age, what 41 blocks age would you be and why? Six hours 8, so I can go to the store myself Seven days 15, so I can reach anything 10 meters 17, so I can cross the street by 50,000 miles myself A little bit close 25, so that I can get a phone This much 14, because I want to be a po- liceman If you needed $100, how would you get 10, because I want to be like you it? By selling wood Make a store From the market Illustrations by Aryeh Friedman, Grade 7

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______6 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 The Place to Fill up a Teacher’s Bag of Tricks

This and all bottom photos by Menachem Gottlieb, Grade 6 Who else? When you come to class, your rebbe or teach- teachers become the best educators they can er is ready for you, with learning sheets, pro- be. There are centres in Brooklyn, Lakewood, jects and crafts. The classroom is also ready, Montreal, LA, Chicago, St. Louis and here.” “There are also educators that come from with colourful posters that help you learn. different cities. For example, there’s a princi- Where does all this come from? YYH Grade 6 Why? pal in Rochester whose parents live here in student reporters took a fieldtrip to Lawrence Toronto, and she comes here in the summer. Plaza to visit the Toronto Teachers’ Centre of “The purpose of the Teachers’ Centre is to She walks out with arm-loads of materials to Torah Umesorah, a place where only rebbes, provide teachers, rebbeim and morahs with bring back with her to Rochester. There are morahs and teachers are usually allowed to the necessary equipment to make your learn- many examples like that.” go. During this rare peek behind the curtain, ing experience much, much better, more fun they learned many secret tricks of the trade. and more meaningful,” R’ Lebovits said. When did all this start happening?

By Dovid Weingarden, Grade 6 Who comes here? The Toronto Teachers’ Centre opened in 2010.

Our Introduction Teachers come from dozens of different Who pays for it? schools in Toronto. The great majority of the When we walked (or ran) into the Teachers’ teachers are from frum schools, but some- “There was a group of very generous people Centre, we were greeted by Rabbi Moshe times teachers from non-frum schools also who got together and put down a huge sum of Lebovits, a Grade 8 rebbe at Eitz Chaim who come to the Teachers’ Centre. While they money to start the Teachers’ Centre and to is also the coordinator for rebbeim at the Cen- don’t teach Chumash or Gemara, they do buy all the necessary equipment,” Rabbi tre. He was our tour guide for the afternoon. teach about the Yomim Tovim, and they know Lebovits said. “After that, they went to other “In 1944, R’ Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz zt”l they can find very helpful materials here. “And people and asked them if they could help in created an organization called Torah Umeso- sometimes,” R’ Lebovits continued, “we do maintaining the Teachers’ Centre. Two people rah,” explained R’ Lebovits. “In recent years, some indirect kiruv that way, because when in particular have really taken on the responsi- Torah Umesorah has launched a number of they come in and see our teachers and they bility and work very hard to keep this place teachers’ centres aimed at helping Jewish see what we are teaching, I believe it makes going and they are Mrs. Chani Reichmann an impact on them. And and Mrs. Judy Sigler.” when they come here they are getting materials that When is the Centre open? are halachically correct.” The Centre is generally open Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

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want to use, such as Word, Davka and graphics. These machines The Room Where Grown-Ups give teachers access to the huge Do Arts and Crafts Chinuch.org database, filled, without exaggeration, with tens of After our introduction in the meet- thousands of worksheets, tests ing room, R’ Lebovits showed us and other learning materials. Reb- around the Teachers’ Centre. The bes from all over the world share first room we went to was the these resources by posting them crafts room, which provides teach- on the site after creating them. ers with the necessary equipment “Many years ago I was teaching to create visually stimulating ma- Pirkei Avos,” R’ Lebovits says as terials, both to hang on the walls an example, “and I made work- and to give to the students. This sheets on it and I submitted them helps visual and interactive learn- to Chinuch.org. Those sheets ing take place, which is particular- have been downloaded almost ly important for some students 2,000 times. It’s possible to see who learn best that way. There where they were downloaded. are different machines that can One time I was curious, so I cut out letters of the aleph-bais checked. I was amazed. My Photo by Yosef Chaim Dworetsky, Grade 6 (and the alphabet). Also, there are sheets were looked at in France, connected on the computer. We machines that cut out pictures for Australia, Ireland, Korea...” heard lectures from some of the There is a drasha from one of the crafts, decorations, work sheets The computer lab also has print- top people within the frum world rabbonim, and afterwards rebbeim and interactive activities. ers which can print in color, on on how to deal with different situa- from similar grades get together In the corner of the room there regular paper or cardstock. tions that can come up in a class- and talk. One table, for example, was a machine for laminating In the corner of the computer lab room. This ran for almost a full would be rebbeim of grades 7 and posters – even huge ones – to there was a huge machine that year for about three hours every 8. One of the rebbeim might ask keep them from getting ruined and can print giant posters. It prints on Sunday. In this way rebbeim can something like, “How do we get to last many years. vinyl paper, which is a type of gain from experts without those our talmidim to daven more seri- plastic thicker than regular poster experts being in Toronto. ously?” And a different rebbe Shopping for ideas board paper so it can last longer. “There’s also a microphone from might say, “Well, I have such and The machine is very expensive. It our end. If one of the rebbeim such a program that might help.” At the centre, there is a table with also prints banners for events. here has a question he can raise Then the first rebbe would say, binders and boxes with labels like, his hand, and they can see and “That sounds like a great idea. “Maps for Navi.” If a rebbe finds Hearing from the Experts then they say, ‘Hello, Toronto! Could we keep in touch so you one that will help his class, the What can we do to help you?’ can map out all the details for Teachers’ Centre staff can make it “Another thing we do at the Cen- Then we’ll have a discussion. This me?” That’s the point of the net- into a poster. Or if a morah comes tre is to hold seminars and work- was, and is, a great program.” working melava Malka: for reb- in the beginning of the year and shops,” R’ Lebovits said. “Let’s beim to trade information. “And she wants a “Welcome” sign to say, we know that a Rosh Yeshiva When Teachers Talk Shop the ones who benefit the most put on the door, she can look or a chinuch professional is com- from all this are you,” R’ Lebovits through the binder labeled ing to Toronto and it will be an Another thing the Teachers’ Cen- said. “Like it says on the wall, “Welcome” to find one that she opportunity for rebbeim or teach- tre has been doing is putting on a ‘Every student deserves the best likes and she can even have pic- ers to hear from him, we make a networking melava Malka, held at teacher and every teacher de- tures of all her students on it. seminar or a workshop and there the Agudah. R’ Lebovits explained serves the best resources to Sometimes a rebbe or morah will be a drasha or speech and that networking is when you bring make it happen.’” comes into the Teachers’ Centre they will hear divrei chizuk from professionals and they have an idea but they that person and they could dis- from a certain don’t know how to create it. So cuss some of the issues that they field together, he/she would go over to one of are dealing with in their class. and they have a the staff, and they would try to “Last year there was a Torah chance to talk help them create something Umesorah program for rebbeim in with each other. unique to take back to school and New York. There were eight reb- During a net- hang it up in their classroom to beim in Toronto who participated working melava make the room colourful and from here. Almost every single Malka rebbeim alive. Sunday they came to the Centre, will gather. and The Big Data we

The next room R’ Lebovits showed us was the computer lab. The room was lined with comput- ers that have different programs that rebbeim and teachers would

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______8 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 Everything you always wanted to know about Baruch Levine At Chanukah time, when renowned demo, a half-way professional night along the way. We got here could contribute on a wide level singer-song writer Baruch Levine recording. Then I would send it Thursday afternoon, and here we to helping limud HaTorah, which is came to town to see his parents, he out to producers and singers. So, are [erev Shabbos]. So that’s the last very, very important to me. I see visited YYH for an interview with the for example, I would send it to week. That’s not typical, though. how it’s a very challenging world, Tachlis. Here is what we learned. Yochi Briskman, who bought a Over the course of a year, I proba- and if a bochur is not enjoying song for Yaakov Shwekey. Abie bly fly somewhere once or twice a learning, he’s going to want to Transcribed by Yakov Polatsek Rotenberg even bought a few of month. Driving to New York is enjoy other things. So I really took and Yosef Baruch Wachsman, my songs. Zale Newman bought more frequent, but some seasons to it. We had siyatah dishmaya and Grade 8, Yitzchak Kleinman, many of my songs back then. are busier than others. the song became popular, and I Yisroel Meir Sanders and Doniel am very happy to have even a Rechtshaffen, Grade 7, and Then, as my voice was maturing, Do you ever think about just tiny cheilek in what Vhaarev Na is Ephraim Sachs, Shua Appelrouth some producers said, “Why are doing music full time? doing. and Shua Rapoport, Grade 6 you giving away these songs? You

should really sing them yourself. I never did think about that. I Who are some of the musicians Where did you grow up? When a composer sings his own don’t want to think about that, in the world of Jewish music that songs, they have more meaning.” because I’d rather be very busy you enjoy working with? I grew up in Toronto, Canada. But I really did not consider it and try to find time for the things Where did you learn? seriously until I was already set- that I like to do and are meaning- I try to get along with everyone. I learned in Eitz Chaim, where my tled and married with a family. ful – such as learning, teaching, Making music needs to be enjoya- father is a fifth-grade rebbe. Later, It’s a challenging world, and be- and composing music. I also feel ble. I enjoyed very much working I learned in Ner Yisroel Toronto. fore performing I knew that sta- very fulfilled from being a rebbe. I with Yonatan Razel. I did a song Then I learned in Yeshivas Toras bility is important. Once I was feel like I’ve been matzliach at it. I with him for my last album. He’s Moshe in Yerushalayim, then Ye- settled, I saw it as an opportunity. have a good relationship with my a big ben Torah and a very special shivas Mir Yerushalayim, then I only started ten years ago. So I talmidim. I’m afraid that if I quit person. And the Project Relax al- BMG in Lakewood, then Yeshivas was already married and learning that, as much as I could perhaps bums with Simcha Leiner. You Mir again. for quite some time before I even travel more and impact more peo- know, sometimes when you have considered it. ple, it’s not the same as being a two singers, they may each want How old were you when you rebbe and being grounded with particular parts, but both of us are wrote your first song? And do Can you tell us what your week that day-to-day relationship and very relaxed – Ah! Project Relax. I you remember it? has been like? And do you al- connection with my talmidim. didn’t chap that. You chapped that ways travel that much? before I did. So we enjoyed work- Let me see... we were living in our How did you come to write the ing with each other very much. old house on Regina... I think I I’m a rebbe, so I try to miss class as song Vhaarev Na, which has be- And I love singing with Abie would have been 9 or 10 years little as possible, and Hashem has come so popular and is basically [Rotenberg] when I get a chance. old. I remember the first song. It helped that I really miss very lit- the anthem for the learning pro- wasn’t a great song. It was called tle. This past week was exception- gram of that name? How do you ensure that your Ana B’koach. I was playing the al. It looked like this: I had to be in music doesn’t become negatively keyboard and one of my parents Eretz Yisroel for Shabbos. I wanted I consider myself still a person influenced by the music of the came down and said, “I’ve never to take the last flight that would involved in learning, in yeshiva. I outside world? And what, to you, heard that song before.” I said, “I get me safely there on time for try to make as much time as possi- are some of the lines that should- didn’t either.” I didn’t know you Shabbos. I was able to teach Thurs- ble for my sedorim. So I really n’t be crossed by a Torah Jew could make up your own song. I day and after shiur I left for New- identify with the struggles of a who is a musical performer? was just fiddling around. [Rabbi ark airport. From Waterbury, it’s yeshiva bochur. It doesn’t feel like Levine managed to remember and about a two-hour drive. I landed so long ago that I was in high It’s an important issue and a sen- sing some of Ana B’koach, but until in Eretz Yisrael erev Shabbos at school and maybe struggling to sitive issue. There is a school of the Tachlis is battery powered, you about 10 AM. I sang there motzai learn or to get a cheishek in learn- thought that says that Jewish mu- can’t hear it!] I never recorded it. I Shabbos at a melaveh Malka for ing, which is what Vhaarev Na is sicians are progressively making didn’t think it was good enough. Vhaarev Na. I left that same mot- about, through chazarah. When music that’s more and more mod- [Could have fooled us!] zai Shabbos. The next night, I flew Rabbi Dovid Newman, the magid ern because they feel that if young to Dallas, Texas, landing there shiur in Monsey who is behind the people don’t have modern Jewish When you were younger did you very late at night. Monday, I par- movement, called me and asked music they’re going to go and plan to be a performer? And how ticipated in a dinner for a kollel in me to write this special song, I listen to secular music. I don’t did you end up becoming one? Dallas. Tuesday morning, I flew was hesitant in the beginning be- know if that’s true or not; that’s back to Waterbury again to make cause you get emails and phone up to bigger people to decide. I never planned to be a performer. it on time to teach my class. I calls several times a week for dif- What I can say is that even if it is I first started composing and my taught Tuesday and Wednesday. ferent projects. But when I saw true, there are enough singers father recorded some of my songs. Wednesday night we started driv- what this was about, it really reso- who do that. I don’t want to do I went to a studio and made a ing to Toronto, stopping over- nated with me and I felt like I that. It’s not me. I don’t listen to

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______9 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 non-Jewish music. Personally, I really want Jewish music to stay Jewish and have a Jewish feel. It doesn’t mean that I will be the most popular singer. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t; I don’t need to worry about that, because Ha- shem decides those things.

In terms of a line to not cross... some of the more modern songs people make are very dependent on the beat or the music doing this or that. Without the music you can’t really sing them. So, to me, a good litmus test is: can you sing it without music, and will it still be a nice song?

Have you ever been in situations where you were forced to turn down a job because it would Photo by Chaim Rand, Grade 8 have meant compromising your standards? chuppah songs and I didn't feel stay away from that. For one ine?” So, I figure he wants a pic- comfortable singing that one. thing, I live in a relatively small, ture or an autograph. So, fine. Yes, many times. I’ll tell you a They got back that they really out-of-town community where They bring him in. He says, “Are story. One time I was asked to wanted to have me do it, and I’m just like everyone else. It's you Baruch Levine?” I say, sing at a Bar Mitzva, and I took asked if I was sure. I said, “Yes, very healthy and very normal. In “Yeah.” He says, “Good. Can you for granted that there would be a I'm sure.” In the end, they decided Waterbury, I don't go to a store get me in to see Shwekey?” mechitza for the dancing. The par- to hire me, and I sang L'maancha, a and have it become a whole scene So sometimes Hashem sends mes- ents of the Bar Mitzva boy – they beautiful song by Eitan Katz. At – which sometimes it is if you live sages in a funny way. I said to the were very nice people who were the end of the wedding, right be- in an in-town place and you are boy, “Sure. Come with me.” And I in a different community, and this fore I was going to leave, the kal- seen somewhere, and people want took him to see Shwekey. wasn't something they were going lah herself came running over. She pictures and all of that. It's a real to do. The men and women were said, “It was brave of you, since thing today. My community Do you have a lot of musical in- going to dance separately, but we could have gotten someone knows me as a person. We daven struments in your house? there wasn't going to be a else. I want you to know that I together, we learn together. They I have a guitar, a keyboard, a pi- mechitza. So I told them “I'm so have so much respect for you be- know the music is part of what I ano, and, believe it or not, an ac- sorry, and I should have men- cause you have your principles do, but it's not who I am. This cordion. Do you know what that tioned this at first, but I can't do it and you stick to them. You have person makes his money in real is? Before they had one-man-band if there is no mechitza for the danc- taught us all something.” So if a estate, this one is a kollel yunger- machines, if you wanted to hire ing.” And they were a little frus- person does something l'shem man, this one is a rebbe, this one is one person and make it leibidig, it trated with me, because I didn't Shomayim sometimes it works out a businessman. So music is only was a guy with an accordion. mention this at the beginning, and in an unexpected way. On the part of what I do. And it's very they were going to go and hire other hand, not every story has healthy for me and my family. Are you working on a new al- someone else, and I said, “You that kind of happy ending. Some- bum now? have every right to do that, but I times I have lost the job. Once or There are occasions where the I am, but I just, just started. do feel bad, so I want to offer that twice I had to call Rav Shmuel people who hire you to perform when the boy has a Bar Mitzva in Kamenetsky about singing some- want the recognition. Pictures and Did you ever have an embarrass- school with his class I'll come and where and he said I shouldn't do autographs can be part of that, ing moment on stage? I won't charge anything.” It was a it – not always for the same rea- and you have to find a way to not very sincere offer. I got a very nice son. It’s not always about the per- disappoint those people. So you I definitely have. Thankfully, e-mail back that they appreciated formance. Sometimes there can be have to work on yourself and re- nothing so embarrassing, Boruch that I was being a mentch, and an organization that doesn’t con- mind yourself to stay in reality Hashem. We use wireless mics they wanted to have me at the Bar duct itself al pi Torah. A person and know that everything is from now, so we don’t trip over wires Mitzva, and they would make must ask daas Torah and go with Hashem. But I’ll tell you a funny and stands like they used to. sure that there would be a it. story of a little reminder I was There are times where my voice mechitza. given on the importance of anivus. isn’t in the greatest shape. If that You are well known enough by I was once performing a concert happens, I try to lower the key, or Another time I was asked to sing now to get recognized out in the with Yaakov Shwekey, and this sometimes I just have to accept at a very high-profile wedding world. How do you deal with boy, at the end of the concert, what it is. Acceptance is very im- and the kallah’s request was for that element of “celebrity”? comes backstage. I’m sitting in the portant — realizing that this is the me to sing a chuppah song that dressing room, and I hear him in matzav Hashem wants right now wasn't a Jewish song. I sent a mes- It's a very good question. I try the hallway saying, “Where’s Ba- and trying to be as calm as possi- sage back that there are many nice ble. very much in my personal life to ruch Levine? Where’s Baruch Lev- Let’s Talk Tachlis ______10 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778

much about hearing loss, can ly, a bochur lost his cochlear im- the Rosh Yeshiva help us un- plant at the swimming pool and he Rabbi Kakon (cont’d) derstand some of the different has to get a new one. A new types of hearing loss and some cochlear implant is not cheap. of the different challenges a And so on. zt”l, whom he knew from his Lake- ture. Just when I was about to boy in the yeshiva might face? wood days. Rabbi Friedler said to give up, B”H, help arrived in the Speaking of which, what are come for Shabbos and they would form of a very special man, Dr. The boys that come to the yeshi- cochlear implants and how see. Leonard Siger, PhD, a professor va have different types of hearing much do they help? I went to Toronto for Shabbos and from Gallaudet University, the loss, ranging from very profound it was very nice. I have to tell you only university for deaf people in to so mild that one is unable to It’s a marvellous thing. A micro- that at that time I did not know the world, located right nearby in discern that there is a hearing chip is implanted and connected how to learn Gemara yet. And it Washington, DC. He was retired, loss! Now, with all the updated with a processor on the outside wasn’t until many years later that I he knew sign language and he technology, with cochlear im- and the hearing is much deeper learned the story behind my ac- was simply brilliant, a real genius. plants and powerful hearing aids, and clearer. Many people with an ceptance to Ner Yisroel. When At that time he was interpreting this brings hearing to a whole new implant are able to speak on the the Rosh Yeshiva was niftar, my the weekly shiur for several peo- level, which is a remarkable thing. phone. They can hear many parents went to pay a shiva call, ple who did not hear from the At the same time, no matter what, more sounds and it helps with and Rebbetzin Friedler told my Baltimore community, the famous when Hashem gives us the koach speaking better because they parents that after I came for that Thursday night parsha shiur given of shmi’ah, hearing, mankind, have more hearing to work with. Shabbos visit, the Rosh Yeshiva by Rabbi Yissachar Frand. And through technology cannot copy They keep working on improving had a meeting with all the Reb- that was my only time I would be exactly that. In other words, when the implant. At the end of the day, beim and the staff. He asked able to benefit from a shiur. I used you hear, you are able to do many it is not a substitute for regular them what they thought we should to be waiting for it all week. Final- things with it. You can tune out hearing and when the implant or do about this boy (me). The con- ly someone said to me, “Ask him. sounds – so if you are in a place aid comes off, the person is back sensus was: “Well, he’s a very Maybe he will come to the yeshi- with fifty bochurim also learning to being someone who does not nice boy, but he doesn’t hear, so va to help you.” and it is quite noisy, you have the hear. it doesn’t make sense. We can’t I asked, and he answered prompt- ability to tune out all that noise really help him, and it won’t work.” ly, “Of course! I was waiting for and only hear your chavrusa When was Yeshivas Nefesh But it was the Rosh Yeshiva who you to ask.” So he would walk clearly. However, with an implant Dovid founded? banged on the desk and said, every day almost two hours (he you hear absolutely everything, so “No, we have to take him!” Later didn’t drive) to give over the shiur it is very hard to be able to distin- Nefesh Dovid was founded about on, Rebbetzin Friedler told my and that is when things moved up guish and hone in on just the per- 16 years ago. We had moved wife that he pounded his fist on for me. I was able to be part of the son next to you, and then it be- here to Toronto a year before the table and said “I am not ask- shiur. I had a chavrusa who would comes very frustrating. Trying to that. Before coming to Toronto, ing you, I am telling you!” It was communicate with me in sign lan- hear conversations at a chasunah we lived in Baltimore for 11 years, because of him that I am sitting guage. Slowly, that’s how I started is another example. That as I was learning in the kollel here and talking to you now. to learn. Dr. Siger was so brilliant chasunah is what it is like for us there for a few years and then I came to Toronto for two years. I and spoke many languages flu- every day, so we can’t learn in the went to school and worked in the was supposed to be in Grade 12, ently. He had a way of giving over bais medrash if we rely only on mental health field. but I sat in a Grade 9 class right in the Gemara with its full flavour hearing. But in our yeshiva we the front and it was my first time and deep meaning thus enabling use everything, our hearing as Whence does the yeshiva take learning how to read a Gemara me to really appreciate the depth well as our eyes, too. In that way, its name? and trying to follow the rebbe. of the learning. we have more options, more skills Right after Succos, I moved up to He passed away less than two and more tools with which to Right when we started the yeshi- Grade 11, and it was very hard to years ago and I brought some of cope. That is one thing. va we knew we needed a name follow the rebbe, but B”H I had my talmidim to the levaya in Balti- Another challenge is that when a which was taken from Perek 56 in very good friends who would sign more. bochur goes back home and he’s Tehilim, “Ki hitzalta nafshi mi- to me with the ABC. They tried to not in the yeshiva and he is back maves halo raglei midechi keep me involved for two years. What did the Rosh Yeshiva in the community he can feel l’hishalech lifnei Elokim b’ohr ha- Then I went to Ner Yisrael of Bal- want to be when he grew up? alone again at home or wherever chayim - You saved my soul from timore. I was connected with the When I grew up I wanted to be an he goes. So one bochur asked death, even my feet from stum- Friedbergs from Toronto, because activist to help deaf people. I me like this: “It’s very hard to keep bling to walk before Hashem in I became friendly with their sons, wanted to be a lawyer who spe- Shabbos at home. Here, things the light of life”. This is what a so it was because of them that I cialized in criminal law, and I was are happening, but when I’m person with hearing loss feels: came to Baltimore. I remember doing very well in high school and home, it’s only my family, and when he is alone, he is isolated that for the first few weeks there was always on the dean’s list. But outside there is no connection and he is not always a part of was no shiur – you were sup- then I went to yeshiva. From there with friends who do not hear.” So things. When a person does not posed to be sitting and learning I realized I wanted to help people they can’t keep busy on Shabbos, feel a part of things, of the com- with a chavrusa for three hours. in a different way, so I became a especially in the summer on very munity, he does not feel alive. So The problem was that I did not social worker. Before I became a long days. It was an interesting through the yeshiva and the net- have a chavrusa, so I was sitting Rosh Yeshiva, I was a profession- question that he asked me yester- work that the yeshiva provides, he in the bais medrash all by myself al social worker and sat on the day while we were learning hil- becomes alive, and he does not trying to learn. Not only that, but board of mental health for the chos Shabbos and the importance stumble like he used to — he is when we had the shiur I sat in the State of Maryland for a while. I of Shabbos. This is very hard - we able to be part of the light of life. front of the rebbe, Rabbi Shraga went to school in Maryland and I deal with this every day. When we Neuberger, who spoke very rapid- worked for a few years but I knew wake up in the morning, we put How is the learning set up? ly and also looked around a lot. that my heart was in chinuch. I on our hearing aids or our im- What does shiur look like at the So I was sitting but had no clue saw too many kids with hearing plants. We don’t hear anything at yeshiva? what was going on, and I could loss suffering too much and falling night. Then, we put them on and not even go to sleep because I behind with no pride in them- then we hear again. Sometimes We use speech and sign lan- was right in front of the rebbe! So selves or enjoyment in Torah. our hearing aids break down or guage. Everybody is sitting for one hour every day for six they need a new battery or some- around in a circle, so everybody weeks I was going through tor- For those of us who don’t know thing happens. Even now, recent- can see each other, too (if a bo-

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______11 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 chur asks a question one would not see him if he were sitting a few seats down in the same row). When we learn Gemara we use the projector to show the Gemara on the screen so the boys see the daf simultaneously and we can point through the Gemara so everybody knows where we are holding. This way, things go much more smoothly and we are all on the same page, so to speak. People ask if it’s a good thing to use sign language or if it is better not to. So I think everyone should use sign language, spe- cifically for learning Gemara, because it becomes visual and you see the concepts like a machlokes, Abaye (here) and Rava (there), we put them in Photo by R’ A.D. their places and the whole thing literally becomes alive. Some- times I go to a shiur and I have an interpreter – I have a very good friend, a dentist, Dr. Mitch- ell Sutton, who is my personal interpreter, who tells me what the Photo by Mrs. J. Bernstein for Nefesh Dovid Rav is saying. And it’s interesting different levels and abilities and that when we do this other people ways of communication so we are in a matter-of- fact manner and “Nobody likes me.” I say to the come to me thanking me for bring- dealing with that. ask how he prefers to communi- boys, “Look at me. You could do ing the interpreter because they cate or what is the best way to the same thing with your own were able to follow the shiur better Has the Rosh Yeshiva invented speak with him. Does he want to kochos, in your own special way.” because they were looking at the any signs for Gemara, since sign or for you to speak slower or Also, there are many boys that interpreter, too, even though they we’re guessing that American just enunciate clearly? Sometimes don’t hear who have managed at could hear. They had a tremen- Sign Language doesn’t have a a person thinks, “Oh, he can’t a regular yeshiva, in terms of dous benefit from seeing the shiur word for, say, yeush shelo hear me therefore I’m not going to learning, but they want to come come alive through gestures. medaas? use my voice when talking to here to Nefesh Dovid anyway. They also are much more focused him.” And sometimes it can be Besides trying to keep up with and thus absorb the information Yes, we have to. Basically, it’s more difficult or even embarrass- everyone, they are also struggling better. really about explaining the con- ing for a person to lip read if one with their own identity: “Do I have cepts, so once we know what the talks without using his voice. The the status of a regular hearing Do all the talmidim at the yeshi- concept is, we can then make a bottom line is to just be yourself person or not?” However, in our va use sign language? And do sign that visualizes this concept in and speak normally and see how yeshiva we don’t need to talk they all use the same sign lan- the most concise way possible. things go. about it. We’re a yeshiva that em- guage? Dr. Siger was the one who paved braces the boys and completely the way for this and made this Why is it important to make a accepts them for who they are When we are in the yeshiva to- possible. yeshiva like Nefesh Dovid? and this results in the boys being gether, we pretty much use the able to cope and deal with every- same language, which is the Are there any advantages in Nefesh Dovid is mamash the only thing. American version. In some cas- learning for those who have yeshiva for hearing challenged es, they had never used it before, hearing loss? bochurim in the whole world, so The beauty of the yeshiva is that or they came from Israel or this is an opportunity for any boy we are located on the premises of France or South America where For sure. And even for those who who would not otherwise be able the Yeshiva Gedolah and have the language is very different. hear, like I said before, they to learn or really keep up in yeshi- been made to feel welcome all Here, when we say “father,” we should learn sign language. Also, va. There will always be a place these years by Rav Brodsky and motion (make your hand five with when Klal Yisrael was by Har Si- for him right here at Nefesh Dovid. the hanhalah. It gives our bo- thumb out and tap thumb against nai, it says in the pasuk, “V’chol Today in daf yomi, Gemara Ma- churim a real sense of being in a top of forehead) and ha’am roim es hakolos.” What kos, daf yud, says that if a person yeshiva atmosphere and, besides “mother” (same as above just tap does that mean that they saw the goes to galus and if he needs his daily interactions throughout the thumb against chin) but in Israel sounds? We could learn from this rebbe, his rebbe goes there with day with the bochurim of the me- they say “abba” and “ima” which that it is not enough of an impact him. Even if there is a yeshiva sivta, there are several opportuni- is moving the hand from cheek to just to hear the sounds of the sho- there anyway, if this person needs ties for them to learn together cheek or forehead to chin, de- far; we actually need to be able to his rebbe, the rebbe has to join b’chavrusa. There is even a sign pending on which. They are differ- visualize the sounds and take him in galus. language session that enables the ent, but they’re similar in a way, them to heart. This is the only yeshiva where a bochurim of the mesivta to pick up so it’s not hard for a person who is boy with hearing loss can connect on sign language and become already visual to pick up and learn How can we best interact with with a rebbe who is also the same potential interpreters for shiurim in the language and be part of the and be sensitive to people we way. So now this boy does not the community at large, a real group. meet who have hearing loss? have any excuses such as, “I need for those of us who would don’t hear, so that’s why I don’t love to participate along with the We are a yeshiva for boys with I would say: not to assume any- get up in the morning.” Or, “I am others. hearing loss, but everyone has thing but to approach the person feeling very sorry for myself,” or,

Let’s Talk Tachlis ______12 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778

continued from Page 3 Photo by Rabbi A. Ribacoff negotiated a trade, in which the Americans agreed to give 10,000 military trucks to the Nazis, and in exchange Eichmann would spare a number of Hungarian Jews, which included this trainload of people who, they assumed, were supposed to be taken to Auschwitz. Instead, this trainload of people was transport- ed to Vienna, Austria and housed in an old school building. Every morning during the summer that the Leitmans were in this facility, the Nazis would drive up in two trucks and take all able-bodied men and women between the ages of 15 and 55 off to a mountain nearby to chop wood, with a daily quota demanded. At this time, the Leitmans also lived through twice-daily bombing raids, at noon for an hour or two by the Americans, without warning, and by the Rus- sians, who would send out flares an hour before their eight o'clock bombardment. During these bombings, the inhabitants of the building would make their way down to the cellar, which had a long hallway with closet- like compartments lining the sides, which were given to the besere mentchen (fancy people), while the hamon am stayed in the hallway. – to begin the long journey home. already showed up. Confused as they were, One day, during February of 1945, the bom- When they returned to their hometown, they they called out this person and compared the bardment was so strong that the goyishe were reunited with Mr. Leitman’s father. The two parallel Peter Sauerteigs. There was a bit Lagerführer or SS guard said Shema Yisrael family was tremendously grateful to Hashem of a bump in the road for Mr. Leitman’s claim; with them. On another occasion, the people in for bringing them back together. However, his competitor had a monogram on his shirt the cellar thought that the bombs were falling they now had to deal with the government of bearing the initials “P.S.”, while Mr. Leitman next door. Dust suddenly started filling the communist Hungary, which decided to close had a siddur in his tefillin bag with the name room [when our Yesodei recess bell rang, Mr. down all the yeshivos. In 1948, when Mr. Leit- “Deutsch” in it, this being the name of the per- Leitman had flashbacks to the bombing sirens] man was 14, he and his brother decided to son from whom he had bought the siddur. and people from the neighbouring wing came, escape the country and go to Eretz Yisroel. Eventually, after a bribe by the Israelis, he streaming in. After the bombs ceased falling, This journey would be worthy of an article of was let on as well. the people emerged from the basement and its own. This migration occurred over multiple Finally he arrived Israel, and, after living in saw that the adjacent wing of the building was fascinating happenings, beginning with the tents for quite a while, went to a yeshiva. After completely and utterly destroyed. smuggling of their persons across the border that he got proper training in watch repair and, With the buildings bombed out, the Nazis were and into the then-unified Czechoslovakia, from with the help of several gemachim, he bought forced to again transfer all these people to a Czechoslovakia to Austria to Germany, and tools, and opened up a repair stand in the new town, this one called Terezín, which was finally to Italy. From Italy they were to continue shuk. home to the Theresienstadt "camp-ghetto" – to their final destination, using the ship In 1957, Mr. Leitman’s parents managed to not quite a camp, not quite a ghetto. It was a “Galila”. Having no legitimate documents, they escape communist Hungary and made their cover-city, a front to show the Red Cross and acquired false ones from the Bricha (the Jew- way to Toronto. Mr. Leitman and his brother the world that the Nazis were treating the ish underground organization that helped sur- decided to rejoin their parents, whom they had Jews humanely. vivors get into Eretz Yisroel in violation of the not seen for many years and see their two The Nazis put 40,000 Yidden in this place, British White Paper of 1939), which had a younger siblings who were born post-war. and let them lead somewhat normal lives. stack of them left over from people who had They sold their business to a bochur from the When Pesach came, the Nazis even gave the initially wanted to go to Israel but had changed yeshiva, paid up the remainder of the gemach Yidden in Theresienstadt matzos. And they their minds and had instead gone to America loans, and went to London, where they contin- could get away with this facade, since there or elsewhere. These papers had been given to ued their business until they could get to Can- was no media to disprove them. While in this Mr. Leitman and his brother, who had to study ada. Here they were reunited with their par- city, Mr. Leitman's mother used to have to go the details of their new identities. Mr. Leit- ents and restarted their business, which they to work every day, so she put Mr. Leitman and man’s brother was given documents originally upheld for a number of years. Over the years his siblings into an orphanage, which housed belonging to someone by the name of Chaim Mr. Leitman held a number of jobs — includ- kids from all over Europe. The Nazi dental- Yochusmann, a person from Poland who was ing one year as a rebbe. Mr. Leitman was just scientists wanted to test their foot-pedal tooth twenty years old. Mr. Leitman’s brother was 20 years old when he worked as a rebbe at a drill on someone, and it was none other than thirteen. little yeshiva called Shlomei Emunei Yisroel. Mr. Leitman who was selected to be their hu- Mr. Leitman, however, was not issued papers. That yeshiva later changed its name to Yeshi- man guinea pig. Mr. Leitman still has those The Bricha told him to wait a little bit longer. va Yesodei HaTorah. same fillings from almost 75 years ago. Until then, Mr. Leitman essentially piggy- Mr. Leitman went on to work as a watchmaker On May the Ninth, 1945, the Theresienstadt backed on his brother’s papers, a tactic which for many years, marrying in 1960 and raising a camp-ghetto was liberated by the Russian worked until they got to Germany, at which family here in Toronto. army, and a few days later, the Danish queen point they did finally provide him with the nec- Though Mr. Leitman occasionally hearkens sent buses to pick up all her Jewish subjects. essary documentation, issued under the name back and wishes he would've been able to join Over the next couple of weeks, the inhabitants of one Peter Sauerteig, a person that Mr. Leit- the underground to fight the Nazis, the mere of the camp started to slowly trickle out. The man knew. This worked well in Germany, but fact that he survived and has furthered the people of the camp were eventually put on a it did not pass the test once they got to Italy. continuity of Yiddishkeit is far more than train – this time, a proper one, not a cattle car The reason was simple: Peter Sauerteig had enough and much more than he expected.