"*..,;.,,;,~---.#___,,;' ')..'),.,.,.- ,-,....... ~"'"" ""\'\;'\-.. ") '""''?."<:: ~-..~-:.' ~~-"'"'--~~,,,.,---' "'"t":"~""). ,C"'~""~"Q. ~ 'O."'\>....,~"Q ......~,..,~ 't'\.,.,"1'1;!'.°'"'"Q \°f.? "\ '°'\'\?!'~'\. 'r'\\:',...... 'Q ;-;: ......!;'"~ 'O~~' ""°): .e... v.""1~°0; "C\-t'>~"i, 'O""\'l"'li':-:4 .....~'"$j"'"'{"~"\ '~ '\l)"'~ ... ~~'q ,"0-....~'f'l "'i?:>t"'>!: o"i"'"l~ ;\'()~'Ill'"\""~;""' 't'>"b-..:q " ... ONE OF THE BEST ASTI WINES ... TASTED IN A LONG WHILE" @P -ARTHUR SCHWARTZ, NOTED NEW YORK WINE CRITIC RABBI MORDECHAI GIFTER i1:J1:J? ji~i~ 1:Jt e join Kial Yisroel in mourn­ Torah. Shortly after his bar mitzva, he invited to join Rabbi Eliyahu Meir ing the irreplaceable loss of left home to study in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Bloch and Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz W Rabbi Mordechai Gifter rou? Yitzchak Elchonon in New York where ;i~i~? cm~t, Roshei Yeshiva ofTelshe in P'"l~ 1"1, Rosh Hayeshiva of Telshe, in he eventually learned under Rabbi Cleveland, as a member of the hanhala Wickliffe, Ohio, member of the Moet­ Moshe Soloveitchik, with whom he (administration). He had an electrify­ zes Gedo lei Hatorah (Council of Torah developed a close relationship. ing hold on the talmidim, and eventu­ Sages) of Agudath Israel of America, Then, as a 17-year old, he traveled ally became Rosh Yeshiva. who was niftar (passed away) on 23 across an ocean, a continent, and an incal­ In 1977, Rabbi Gifter established the Teves, January 18. culable cultural chasm to Telshe, Lithua­ Yeshiva's branch in Telshe-Stone, near Always a student - the quintessen­ nia. From his first mesmerizing exposure Jerusalem. Two years later, with the tial ta/mid chacham, seeking wisdom, to Telshe, he advanced to eagerly taste and passing of Rabbi Baruch Sorotzkin amassing a remarkable breadth of then imbibe the Telzer experience, fol­ ?"~t, the Rosh Yeshiva of Tel she in knowledge, constantly probing for lowed by total immersion and ultimate­ Wickliffe, he was summoned to return deeper understanding .... Forever a ly full identification with Telshe. His to Telshe in America. master teacher - guiding, prodding, relentless pursuit of truth and dedicat­ In addition to his leadership role in pushing, clarifying, inspmng .... ed hasmada, coupled with remarkable the yeshiva, Rabbi Gifter was actively Incontrovertibly a Telzer - reflecting brilliance, brought him recognition as an involved in con1munal affairs in Cleve­ the majesty of Torah through total sub­ outstanding talmid chacham. He became land, as well as nationally and interna­ servience to Torah and complete an extremely close ta/mid of the Telshe tionally, through Agudath Israel, Torah involvement in its study .... A fearless Rav and Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Avraham Umesorah, and Chinuch Atzmai-Torah leader, clear-minded, Torah-guided, Yitzchak Bloch "!"'11. He became Schools for Israel. compassionate) yet uncompromising, betrothed to the Rav's niece, Shoshana More than serving as the paradigm uniquely articulate - inspiring and Bloch ·nrw, the daughter of Rabbi Zal­ for generations of American bnei Torah, enlightening his followers. man Bloch "!"'11, whom he married in Rabbi Gifter was the prototype of how Rabbi Gifter was born m America, just before the destruction of an An1erican boy can be elevated and Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1916. His fam­ Telshe, Lithuania, at the hands of the transformed into a Gadol ba Torah. ily moved to Baltimore where his edu­ Nazis Ct)'e' Mn". rr::i:~lln cation consisted of the conventional He served as Rav in Waterbury, A fuller tribute to Rav Gifter is being public school and afternoon Talmud Connecticut, until 1945, when he was prepared for a subsequent issue. --------------------- ---·-------·-·----------------·----------------~ The Jewish Observer, February 2001 3 - Two years in development ... - The product of two special conferences ... - With the input of over 100 Rabbonim, Mechanchim, Learning Specialists, Mental Health Professionals & Lay Activists ... NEFESH INTERNATIONAL The International network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals in collaboration with 0HEl CHILDREN'S HOME & FAMILY SERVICES Announces the publication of CHILDREN IN CRISIS bETECTION & INTERVENTION 1 'fdren in crisis IJZ • n C , tei:-;entto , an d in ~ DetectJ.ol'\ \f. Steered and edited by '~Rabbi Shimon Russell, l.C.S.W. \ & Norman Blumenthal, Ph.D. 1i;, This is essential reading for anyone involved in the prevention or treatment of children in crisis. Includes chapters on: - Elementary school - High school - Psychotherapy issues - - Outreach, crisis intervention & alternative placement - - Insights for Parents - Eating disorders - Substance abuse - Available from the Nefesh office by calling 732-363-2344 THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY10004. Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the United States (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 42 Broadway, NY., NY. 10004. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: HONESTY, INTEGRITY ... AND THE ORTHODOX jEW 646-254-1600. 6 Avoiding a Two-Fold Tragedy, Rabbi Nissan Wolpin Printed In the U.S.A. 9 A Call for Honesty and Integrity, RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR based on an address by Rabbi Avraham Pam N"v>?v EDITORIAL BOARD I I A Time to Grow... and Improve our Ethical Status, RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Chairman based on an address by the Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"v>?v RABBI ABBA SRUONY JOSEPH FRIEDENSON 14 Acts of Kiddush Hashem: Like Incense Before RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIAZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN the Almighty, based on an address by Rabbi Elya Svei N"1"7v PROF. AARON TWERSKI DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Z"L REPORTS FROM £RETZ YISROEL Founding Chairman 16 Dateline 5761: Promoting Shmitta Observance, MANAGEMENT BOARD by Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Rashgold, adapted and translated AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH by Avrohom Birnbaum ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 23 "HaKadosh Baruch Hu Is Not Going to Leave You": RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING An interview with Mrs. Miriam Brovender, Sarah Shapiro Managing Editor Published by 30 When Life Gains New Meaning, Mrs. Debbie Shapiro Agudath Israel of America U.S. TlWJE DISTRIBUTOR ISRAEU REPRESENTATIVE 33 Speaking Up For the Wall, Miriam Zakon Feldheim PubliSiters lnlnl. Media Placemen! 200 Airport Executive Park POB 7195 / 5 Even Israel Nanuet. NY 10954 Jerusalem. ISRAEL PURIM RUMINATIONS BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE BELGIAN REPRESENTATIVE M.T. Bibelman Mr. E. Apter 3 8 Baths, Bullies and Barley, Rabbi Yechiel Spero Grosvenor Works Lange Kievitstr. 29 Mount Pleasant Hill 2018 Antwerp London ES 9NE, ENGLAND BELGIUM INFORMATION You CAN USE FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE SWISS REPRESENTATIVE Rabbi Bamberger Mr. S. Feldinger 42 Things to Say and Not Say to Your Presently Unmarried 21 Boulevard Paixrians Leimanstrasse 36 57000 Metz 4051 Basel Neighbor, Tzivia Ehrlich-Klein FRANCE SWITZERLAND THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service 48 Letters to the Editor advertised in its pages © Copyright 2001 February 2001 VOLUME XXXIV/NO. 2 THE WAY IT WAS A few more questions, and Newton stood Observer featured a most excellent arti­ up and reached for Springer's hand. "It's cle by Yonason Rosenhlum entitled "The he following is an actual episode yours." Kiddush Hashem Imperative?' The idea that took place ten years ago, told Springer was speechless ... so simple? so of performing Kiddush Hashem and Tto the author hy one of the prin­ direct? so immediate? "I see that you're sur­ avoiding Chillul Hashem is all the more cipals: prised at how quickly we expedited this loan. crucial, given our great successes and Nachum Klein' CPA accompanied his I'll tell you the truth, Mr. Springer. I rarely communal growth in recent decades .... client Irving Springer*, CEO of Horizons take figures on a spreadsheet at face value. Since September I have been a Realty, to present his financial statement to But your accountant- Klein? - well, he had "Partners in Torah" mentor to a cou­ the Vice President in charge of credit at his one of those black beanies on his head. My ple in Ariwna. We have two phone ses­ bank. Springer hoped to negotiate a large experience has shown me that a fellow like sions per week, each of which goes for loan for expansion of his cornpany. that, 1vho lives by a higher authority, just about ninety minutes. Until now, my The two 1nen had gone to yeshiva won't misrepresent the facts. I take him at main thrust has been to demonstrate together during their teens, and now n1ain­ his word." the sterling attributes of our Biblical tained a strong professional relationship for Ancestors, of Chaza~ and of our con­ over a dozen years. CHANGING PERCEPTIONS tinuous and miraculous mitzva-obser­ After entering the elevator of the bank vant Jews for generations. Actually, I building, Irving removed his yarmulke from his happened ten years ago. That do not regularly read the news. I found his head and slipped it into his pocket, "When was the way such matters were out about recent financial embar­ I'm in a non-Jewish establishment, I like my Talways viewed, and hopefully rassments amongst Orthodox Jews proposal to be evaluated objectively. My overt still are viewed. But, unfortunately, that from my Arizona Torah partners, and Jewishness seems to get in the way," he may not always be public perception, as I was speechless in response. It would explained. on occasion an Orthodox Jew or Jew­ be very constructive if I were now able "Please don't expect 1ne to do the same," ish communal group will - with the best to show them that that was a specific countered Nachum. "My yarmulke always of intentions, or with less than that - individual act, and was completely stays on n1y head, no niatter where." be misguided enough to engage in ille­ against our communal policies.