KAJ NEWSLETTER March 1st , ‘19 כ"ד אדר א' תשע"ט A monthly publication of K’hal Adath Jeshurun Volume 49 Number 6 69th ANNUAL DINNER OF YRSRH/KAJ The Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe was the site of our Kehilla and Yeshiva’s 69th Annual Dinner, on Sunday evening, February 17/ 12 Adar I. After an enjoyable reception, Mr. Baruch Ghermezian, Dinner Chairman, started things off by noting that, while someone of Persian descent might not seem the obvious fit for Chairman of the KAJ-YRSRH Dinner, as a delighted parent of two YRSRH preschoolers, he was happy to take this opportunity to support our Yeshiva. He then introduced Rabbi Yehudah Moller, Menahel of our elementary school. Rabbi Moller listed some of the accomplishments and unique attributes of YRSRH, of which we should be very proud. These sentiments were then echoed by two current sixth-grade students, Nechemia Berman and Zalman Yosef Koenigsberg, who enumerated some of their enjoyable experiences in school. A video presentation by and about the Parents of the Year, Mr. and Mrs. Shaul Gross was shown. The Grosses have found our Mesivta to be just the right place for their two sons. In the video, Rav Noach Oelbaum praised the Grosses deep connection to Torah and learning. Mr. Gross also emphasized he was his father who was just recently niftar. The honorees received beautiful לעילוי נשמת accepting this honor Kosos presented by Mr. Alan Ettlinger, representing the Kehilla, and Mr. Moshe Meir Klugman, representing the Yeshiva. The evening’s Guests of Honor, Mr. and Mrs. Shimon and Yehudis Levi, were feted both in video and in person, as being Oskim beTzorchei Tzibur par excellence. This askonus dates back to—at least—his is continued by the next generations as well, as the ,יבלח''ט ,grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Levi, and Levis’ oldest son, Michael Meir, a YRSRH graduate and current Kollel member, now also teaches in our Mesivta, and is the proud father of several YRSRH students himself. When Shimon’s father, Mr. Raphael Levi, was niftar almost a year and a half ago, there was no question of how the Journal would be done— Shimon simply stepped in to his father’s place and continued the tradition seamlessly. Mr. Jeffrey Weiskopf, ,doing this. In fact ז''ל who made the presentation, noted that it was to have been Rabbi Edwin Katzenstein Vol. 49, No. 5 KAJ NEWSLETTER Page 2 Rabbi Katzenstein had already filmed a video-tribute to the Levi family, shortly before his sudden petiro. Rabbi Katzenstein’s decades-long, unflagging work for our Yeshiva was mentioned several other times during the evening as well. In the video presentation featuring Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Julie Pinczower, Rav Gelley Memorial Awardees, the close relationship her parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Rieder had formed with Rav Gelley was noted. An impressive plaque was presented to them, along with wishes of much Nachas from their children, all former or current Breuers students. who was niftar this past ,ז''ל Mention was also was made of the unforgettable Rabbi Kasriel Kaufman summer. In his decades of Avodas HaKodesh as a Rebbi, teacher and assistant principal, Rabbi Kaufman was always there for each and every Talmid and Talmida, and left an indelible mark on thousands of past YRSRH students through his sterling Midos and love of Torah. The lobby of the elementary building has .לזכר נשמתו been dedicated Mr. Pinchas Katzenstein, in making the appeal, noted that without question this what his father, Rabbi would have wished: That support for the Yeshiva he loved so dearly go right on ז''ל Edwin Katzenstein had had the custom to זצ''ל uninterrupted. Mr. Katzenstein related that Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach make Shiva visits on the first day of the Shiva, and to tell the Aveilim “Schick pekelach!” Mitzvos and Maasim Tovim done in the first year after the Niftar’s death are packages, deliveries of Zechuyos to the Niftar, giving him an Ilui Neshama. In this vein, Mr. Katzenstein implored that, with the approaching first Yahrzeit of our late Moro DeAsra Rav Zachariah Gelley, we all “schick pekelach” and join in the support of our Yeshiva—indeed, the Mesivta wing of the 220 Bennett Avenue Beis Medrash building has been but the support will not only help refurbish that building, but help the Yeshiva with its ,בית זכריה named payroll and other crucial financial obligations. In his address, Rav Mantel focused on the two sets of stones, both bearing the names of the Shevotim, which the Kohen Godol wore, namely the two Avnei Shoham on the Ephod’s shoulders and the twelve stones on the Choshen proper. The Rav discussed the readiness to bear and to carry, and the understanding that a parent and a teacher (or a Rav) must have of each and every individual, his strengths and his weaknesses, as he guides them on the Derech HaTorah. On a lighter (musical) note, those present enjoyed an excellent performance by eleven of our talented Mesivta young men, under the direction of Mr. Moshe Glick. Rabbi Shraga Soloveitchik, the Mesivta’s Menahel, spoke, before calling upon two of the Mesivta’s current Talmidim, Eliyahu Jaroslowitz and Shlomo Chananya Schiffman, to “speak for themselves,” which they did with aplomb. Rabbi Gross, along with the Talmidim, also made a surprise presentation to Rabbi Soloveitchik. The evening’s proceedings were rounded out by the presentation of the Alumni Chai Award to Mr. and Mrs. Ari Cohen, by Rabbi Mordechai Stern, who fondly recalled Ari in his high school years here. As a tribute to Rabbi Stern, past Mesivta Menahel, a shiur room has been dedicated in his honor. Mr. Abe לזכר נשמת Gottesman, another YRSRH alumnus also spoke, and announced the dedication of a classroom .ז''ל the Mesivta’s beloved Rebbi, Rabbi Yitzcho Isbee The evening's program concluded with Shir HaMaalos and bensching, but not before dessert and the much- anticipated drawing of the annual Automobile Campaign Raffle, once again successfully conducted by Pinchas and Malky Katzenstein. We are delighted to report that the winning ticket belonged to none other than Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Vickie Rosenberg. Vol. 49, No. 5 KAJ NEWSLETTER Page 3 The work that resulted in this year's successful Dinner and Journal campaign was almost entirely done in our Yeshiva's executive office, by a small, dedicated group of individuals under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Simons, all of whom deserve our accolades. This group includes the individuals who volunteered countless hours for the various projects, as well as the regular staff members who gave of their time much beyond the call of duty. At the same time, we must mention our admiration and gratitude to the Administrative Board for its immense work at this event, and year-round, in its crucial fund-raising position. Many thanks to the "Dinner Crew", under the able direction of Mr. Samuel P. Levi. All those who did the behind-the-scenes work necessary to "run" the dinner efficiently deserve our gratitude. Thanks also go to the editors, proofreaders, typesetters and solicitors for making the Journal a success once again. ז''ל RABBI EDWIN KATZENSTEIN ,מורנו ר' יצחק בן הח' ר' מאיר ,of Rabbi Edwin Katzenstein פטירה It is with profound sadness that we note the :the 27th of Shevat/February 2nd. Rabbi Katzenstein devoted his entire life to the Tzibur ,ש''ק פ' משפטים on to our Yeshiva and Kehilla, as well as the greater Klal Yisroel, through his decades-long work for Agudath Israel. As Chairman of the Board of our Yeshiva, past President of KAJ, member of the Chevra Kadisha’s Presidium, expert Mohel to thousands of boys, and through so many other facets and activities, both known and unknown, Rabbi Katzenstein made an indelible mark on the Kehilla and Yeshiva which he he surely accrued זכויות supported and served with distinction for so many decades. May the tremendous redound to his family, the Kehilla, and Klal Yisroel. יהי זכרו ברוך MEN’S CHEVRA SEUDO Sunday, February 17th/ Adar 7 was the Chevra’s annual Ta’anis, followed by its Seudo after nightfall. The delicious Seudo, which was catered by Lechayim, was ably chaired by Rabbi Raphael M. Weis. The dais was graced by the presence of Rav Mantel, Rav Levi, Rav Yehoshua Rubanowitz, Rabbi Shlomo Goldberg. And Rabbi Avrohom Hoffman. Chazon Ezra Lasdun led the members in the singing of Tzomo Nafshi. Rabbi Weis noted that while we follow the dictum of Chazal (on which he elaborated further, later), the recent petiro of Rabbi Edwin Katzenstein made this a difficult task. Rabbi Weis ,משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה ז''ל proceeded to suggest that all Chevra members to use the life and example of Rabbi Edwin Katzenstein as an inspiration to do more for the Chevra, be it attending more Taharos, or ensuring a Minyan at an Rabbi Weis also announced the unanimous election of Mr. Pinchas Katzenstein to the .בר מינן ,Ovel house Presidium, at the Chevra’s annual meeting, held before Mincha. Rav Mantel’s Dvar Halocho revolved around the case of a choson who becomes and Ovel during the Shivas Yemei HaMishte, and why his Aveilus only begins thereafter. Rav Levi discussed the Halochos regarding Yahrzeits and Taanis in a year with two months of Adar, such as ours. CHEVRA KADISHA DENOSHIM SEUDO Mrs. Esther Jacobovits, our charming and articulate M.C., welcomed Rebbetzin Gelley and Rebbetzin and noted the presence of Mrs. Ruthie Katzenstein ;ע''ה Mantel; friends and family of Mrs. Trude Breuer and her daughter Mrs. Rochel Stafansky. The ladies stood in tribute to Mrs.