RABBI BEREL WEIN Rabbi Berel Wein may not have invented Jewish history, but with his particular blend of insight, charisma and vision, he has - and continues to eternalize the over 4,000 year old legacy for Jews the world over. And this legacy is crucial to the Jewish people. Attempting to be a Jew in the 21st century without understanding the layers of political, cultural and religious events that formed the Jewish world is like starting a book in the middle. The present is never so rich when the past is a question mark. Founder and director of the Destiny Foundation for over twenty-five years, Rabbi Wein has been identified as one of the foremost Orthodox historians in the world. AFFILIATIONS OVER THE YEARS- Hebrew Theological College (Skokie) Telshe Yeshiva / Chicago Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov / Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi Elementary School / Chicago Ida Crown Jewish Academy / Chicago Beth Israel Congregation /Miami Mesivta of Greater Miami Rabbi Alexander Gross Hebrew Academy / Miami - Council of Orthodox Rabbis / Miami Orthodox Union Rabbinical Council of America Center for Teacher Training ArtScroll Publishers / Congregation Bais Torah / Monsey Yeshiva Shaarei Torah / Monsey Kupas Ezra / Monsey United Congregations Mesorah ( Wolfson Group ) - Beit Knesset Hanassi / Jerusalem Koren Publishing / Israel - Nachal Hareidi / Jerusalem- Yeshivat Ohr Somayach / Jerusalem Yad Harav Herzog / Jerusalem Machon Yerushalayim / Jerusalem, Mosad Harav Kook / Jerusalem, Morasha LHanchil / 3 In honor of our esteemed founder, mentor, leader and friend; Tis evening marks a most signifcant milestone in the life and career of one of the pre-eminent Jewish educators of our time. Rabbi Berel Wein has inspired, guided, taught and uplifted generations of Jewish adults and children. Trough his Jewish History tapes, myriad recorded lectures in Jewish thought and learning, lectures in far-fung communities around the world, and guided tours to both exotic and not so exotic locales, there is hardly a Jew in the world who hasn’t in some way been touched by Rabbi Wein’s guiding hand. For those of us privileged to be a part of his shul and community, this occasion is even more special and personal. We have taken great pride in seeing the world recognize the treasure that we knew our founding rabbi to be. We are proud to be the place where much of it began, as Rabbi Wein began disseminating his lectures from our synagogue to the broader Jewish world. But, most of all, we are honored and privi- leged to have had, and continue to have a close personal connection to Rabbi Berel Wein as our rabbi and our friend. Tose who have been here long enough have seen Rabbi Wein’s indelible imprint guide and infuence their families across generations. Our newer and older members alike feel Rabbi Wein’s values and perspective permeate every aspect of our synagogue. Congregation Bais Torah is a vibrant synagogue that refects and upholds the ideals inculcated in us by our dear founder, mentor and friend. On this momentous occasion of your reaching the age of might, we join in wishing you continued vigor, strength, and success in spreading Torah to all the Jewish People. Rabbi Yisroel Gottlieb Dr. Steven Fessel Start Over 4 For the past 20 years we have been the fortunate recipients of Rabbi Wein’s guidance, teaching and wisdom. Not only is Rabbi Wein the Moreh D’Atra of our community but his writings also take matters concerning the wider community into account. His Drashot may be based on traditional sources but always relate to relevant contemporary issues - a truly wonderful gift. We wish you a most successful evening and we wish Rabbi Wein many happy returns on his special birthday having reached ‘gevurot’. May he have many more years in which he can produce his panoply of inspirational educational works. Now, Rabbi Wein is about to be awarded the Destiny Lifetime Achievement Award and we cannot think of anyone more ftting to receive it. Mazaltov and Congratulations! Warmest greetings from us to you! Beis Knesset HaNassi Henry Israel, President 5 We at Destiny are all aboard, Proud to present Rabbi Wein with this Lifetime Achievement Award Working as a lawyer, in business and in real estate, Hashgacha, Rosh Yeshiva and in the Rabbinate. Serving as Rabbi in Chicago, Florida, Monsey and in Israel, Exploring Jewish sites the world over, bringing them to life with zeal. Producing outstanding lectures on tape, CD and on MP3, Books galore; and flms all on DVD. Spreading Yiddishkeit to one and all, Fulflling the mission of Rabbi Herzog’s call. Teaching Jewish History like no one else can, Creating for him, many a fan. Igniting a spark in the unaffiliated, Ensuring that everyone becomes well educated, In their Jewish Heritage ever so rich, Outstanding in our very own niche. As a Jewish Historian, (he is) rated the best, Doesn’t come close to any of the rest. We at Destiny are proud to assist in his holy endeavor, And wish him many more years of health, nachas, blessing and success forever and ever! Elaine Gilbert / Brenda Finkel / Faigie Gilbert Te Mercaz Center For Teacher Training joins the wide range of institutions and projects that acclaim Rabbi Berel Wein's achievements. He has made tremendous contributions to our Center, both as an educational innovator and as a perpetual quiet advisor and supporter. Te term "lifetime" connotes a fnality which we prefer to reject. Rather, we join in applauding his past and present achievements and couple that with the teflla that he be blessed with the strength and health to have a fourishing future of continued “achievements" Rabbi Joel Kramer Rabbi Hillel Mandel Mr. Avi Shulman Dear Rabbi Wein, You have infuenced and inspired me in so many ways which you cannot possibly know. Your per- sonal kindness to me, be it in the feld of Milah, speaking or writing has always touched me. Your audio recordings over the last decades have taught me so much about the broad spectrum of life. Your thoroughly researched biographies of Gedolei Torah from previous generations opened up vistas of his- tory to me that broadened my appreciation of their greatness and commitment. Your audios on Torah personalities such as the Netziv, Rav Shimon Shkop, Rav Meir Schapiro, and the Vilna Gaon were heart-rending. Your personal recollections of your connections to Te Satmar Rebbe, the Ponevezer Rov, and Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky, were riveting. Your frankness on topics is invigorating. Your diversity of knowledge of our people from the be- ginning of time is humbling. How have you managed to do all this? I recall the story you told me about how you met Rav Isaac Halevi Herzog when you were only eleven years old in Chicago. I have told that story so many times because I want it to be engrained in my essence. You have brought us Rashi, the Rambam and Ramban as no one else has. You once told me in Miami that a person must continue to do what he believes in. You personify that with pride. Who else but you can talk about ancient Egypt and the Chicago Cubs? Who else but you would tell us that you learned how to read a newspaper from your rebbey Rav Mendel Kaplan and he could barely speak Eng- lish? Prophecy, redemption, parenting and consolation – you have guided our generation. You are a gift to all of us from Hashem and for that, I among tens of thousands around the world are grateful. I know you are not the emotional type, but know that I sign this letter with tears of love. I take pride that I have been fortunate to interact with you on numerous occasions. May Hashem bless you with continued clarity and health and the willingness and strength to continue His work for the bene- ft of all of us. Eternally grateful, Paysach Krohn Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov – Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi joins the Destiny Foundation and the entire Jewish world in recognizing the lifetime achievements of Rabbi Berel Wein. Tis is certainly a well- deserved honor, as there are very few individuals whose career and impact have affected so many communities throughout the United States and Israel. We are privileged to consider Rabbi Wein one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of our school. In our very early, formative years, he played a crucial role as a parent and offi- cer in the school. A mere 50 years later, Chicago is renowned as one of the premier Torah communities in North America, and the largest Orthodox Jewish Day School in the Midwest is JDBY-YTT, with an enrollment approaching 1000 children ka”h. Tis is a testament to the vision and foresight of Rabbi Wein and his contemporaries who expended so much of their time, energy, and yes, hard-earned money, to get the school off the ground. Teir dedication will forever be appreciated and remembered. Te Board of Directors, Administrators, and Staff of Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov – Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi 9 Te Young Israel of Bal Harbour extends a great mazel tov to Rabbi Berel Wein A man who has devoted his entire life to inspiring the Jewish people. An individual who uses his G-d given talents as a speaker-writer-teacher to uplift and educate the Jewish world to see the beauty and nobility of Torah, and the magnifcence of living a life based on Torah values. Kudos to you, Rabbi Wein, for you have given us so much knowledge and insight into the great- ness of our legacy and the immortality of the Jewish people. May the Almighty continue to bless you with good health and much strength as you go forward in inspiring the Jewish people for many more years to come.