Stay ConnectedListen to noted Tour Guide, Lecturer and Yad Vashem Researcher of Jewish History Yehuda Geberer bring the world of pre-war Eastern Europe alive. Join in to meet the great personages, institutions and episodes of a riveting past.
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During the interwar period, against all odds, an American women took a leading role in the funding of the great Yeshivas of Eastern Europe. Her name was Mrs. Necha Golding. As an organizer of women's auxiliary groups for various Yeshivas or as a hostess to the Roshei Yeshivas themselves when they came on fundraising trips, she was always at the forefront of activities on behalf of building Torah. She and her family forged ties to greats like the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Boruch Ber, Rav Elchonon Wasserman and Rav Aaron Kotler. She didn't just host them, she helped sustain them and they never ever forgot.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Brand New Full-Length Series for Winter 2019-20!
World War I had far reaching changes in Jewish life and society whose reverberations are still felt today. As the subsequent tragic events of the Holocaust overshadowed World War I, this chapter of Jewish History has been relegated to a footnote in Jewish History. In order for us to understand the various angles of Jewish society within the context of the war, it's imperative to gain an understanding of the world of Empires that Europe was at this time. Imperialism, alliances and other factors joined to create one of the greatest conflicts in world history. This would in turn devastate Jewish life in both the physical/material sense, as well as the social/religious frameworks of Jewish communal life. As the towns of Eastern Europe turned into battlefields, the dramatic changes were immediately felt. Other more subtle changes were just beginning, and the long term effects on Jewish society would be felt for many years to come.
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Although the story of RIETS/YU is huge and would take some time to cover, we can perhaps get a bit of a taste by examining the lives of some of the great people who graced the Yeshiva with their presence over the years. In this episode we'll meet the first Rosh Yeshiva of what was to become RIETS, R' Shlomo Nosson Kotler (1865-1945). Described by some as the greatest Talmid chacham ever to live in the United States, his varied career brought to America twice before he eventually settled in Israel. This is followed by the architect of the concept of Yeshiva College, Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revel (1885-1940), who did more than anyone else to create the Yeshiva that we know today. Finally, we'll meet R' Moshe Shatzkes (1881-1958), the great Lomza Rov who spent his later years at the helm of RIETS. One of the greatest Rabbinical leaders of interwar Poland, he headed the Vaad Hayeshivas there before escaping to America via Kobe, Japan.
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One of the most famous and dynamic Torah leaders of recent times was undoubtedly R' Elazar Menachem Shach (1899-2001). Although he lived a very long life, his famous actions in the public sphere cover less than a third of a very fruitful career of teaching Torah. His early years saw him studying under some of the greatest Lithuanian luminaries of his day. He then spent a colorful 30 year career teaching at various pre war and post war Torah institutions. Perhaps the varied experience he gained in these diverse positions prepared him for his central position of leadership he was to later assume.
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From the moment Rav Ovadia Yosef accepted the mantle of leadership of the nascent Shas political party in the early '80's, his name came to be synonymous with the revolution that Shas had become. The founding of the Shas Party led to the forming of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, the Rabbinical council which advises the Party till today. R' Ovadia was appointed to head the council. He proceeded to take a very active role in decision making, and displayed an astute perception of the jungle which characterizes Israeli politics. At the same time, he saw himself as the Rabbinical leader of the Sephardic community worldwide and not limited to the political sphere. In his mind, he remained first and foremost, a teacher of Torah, an exponent of psak halacha, a speaker with a message to his people, as well as a political leader when he deemed it necessary.
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Rav Nosson Tzvi's arrival in Mir Yeshiva Jerusalem as a young adolescent became a turning point in his life, and ultimately set the stage as a turning point in the history of the Mir as well. After going back and forth a couple of times, he eventually settled down, married into the family, and subsequently spent the next several years in a tireless effort towards greatness. In the winter of 1990, Rav Nosson Tzvi succeeded his father in law Rav Beinish Finkel as Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir. For the next 22 years until his passing, he oversaw a meteoric growth of the student body as well as building the buildings to hold them all. Through this entire career, he never lost the personal warmth and care that he had for any student of the Yeshiva - as well as many strangers from without. This ability to maintain a personal connection and relationship, made him the beloved figure to so many who knew him.
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One of the most beloved teachers and builders of Torah in times was the legendary Mir Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel (1943-2011) This Chicago native went on to build a veritable empire of Torah learning in Yerushalayim, while remaining a warm and personable role model to his many students. In this episode, we'll examine the world he grew up in, his family background, parents and his early years, in order to gain a better understanding of who he was and his myriad accomplishments.
Musical tribute: "Avi Avi" by the Shira Chadash Boys Choir.
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With the growth of the Lithuanian Yeshiva movement in the 19th century, the great Yeshiva of Telz was to take a prominent place as one of the premier Yeshivas of the age. From modest beginnings, it grew in both numbers and stature under the watch of legendary Rav Leizer Gordon. Telz boasted of an innovative organizational structure which included an acceptance policy, a rigid class structure and regular tests on the material studied. The attempt to bring the Mussar movement within the walls of the Yeshiva, along with specific Rabbinical appointments, led to a series of clashes - sometimes violent - between the independent minded Telzer students and the Yeshiva administration. Ultimately the revolts and the winds of rebellion were quelled, and peace and prosperity allowed Telz to continue its destiny to greatness.
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R' Kalonymus Kalman Shapira (1889-1943), better known as the Piaseczno Rebbe, is a figure who's influence seems to just grow as time goes on. Heroic in life and a martyr in death, he's earned his place in the pantheon of Jewish leadership of the 20th century. Known for his writings, teachings, insights into Jewish education and of course his talks to his chassidim in the darkest times of the Warsaw Ghetto. In this episode, we will examine his life and times, giving the context which shaped his personality and leadership role. Playing an important role in interwar Warsaw Yeshiva education, he also served as a chassidic Rebbe and communal Rabbi at the same time. Despite his personal losses at the onset of the war, he maintained his position within the Ghetto in a valiant attempt to inspire his followers in the ever worsening conditions. Following his murder in Aktion Enternfest in the Trawniki concentration camp, the story of Piaseczno was not yet over. After the war, his writings were discovered in the second cache of the Ringelblum Archive and ultimately published as the "Aish Kodesh".
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From the expulsion from Spain in 1492, down to modern times, Sephardic Jewry has never experienced the rejuvenation experienced under the leadership of Rav Ovadia Yosef (1920-2013). Stemming from humble origins in Iraq, he rose to fame in Rabbinical positions in Egypt, Yerushalayim, Petach Tikva, Tel Aviv and finally the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel. A prolific writer and world renowned posek, he became one of the greatest Halachic decisors of modern times. In his later years he would become famous as the spiritual leader and titular head of the Shas political party.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
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