My Machberes,Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Rabbi In The News

A popular New York daily newspaper has written a number of articles about the work of a New York City chaplain for the Department of Corrections (DOC). The newspaper misunderstood and misrepresented the efforts of the observant rabbi in providing for the religious needs of inmates, such as describing leftover or rejected institutional kosher meals as gourmet, when in reality they do not meet the standards of detested airline food. Though it makes for amusing reading, the newspaper mischaracterized some of the chaplain's sincere efforts. The invitation for a popular Jewish singer to perform in the DOC facility is no different than the welcoming of thousands of other singers and musicians to entertain inmates throughout the year in prison systems across the United States, except that this volunteer performer is an observant Jew and sings Jewish songs.

Several leading observant organizations have joined in an effort to encourage the chaplain to continue his good work. They will be releasing a joint statement of support. In order to present the other side of the story, we present the following.

Biography Of Rabbi Leib Glanz

Rabbi Leib Glanz was born in 1958 in Brooklyn. He was raised in the Williamsburg community, where he still resides with his wife. His four married children and their families all reside nearby.

Rabbi Leib Glanz and Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Active in community work since he was a teenager, Rabbi Glanz has been honored and hailed by countless organizations for his devotion to civic justice and community values. While still a high school student, Leib Glanz, in conjunction with the world famous Satmar Bikur Cholim, coordinated hospital visits to the ill and elderly, to feed them and cheer their spirits. In addition, he also coordinated home visits to the needy and homebound, bringing them food packages.

A graduate of the United Talmudical Academy of Satmar (UTA), Rabbi Glanz has spent more than 30 years in a career as an educator and administrator. In 1985 he joined the administration of UTA, the largest private religious school system in the country with an enrollment of more than 18,000 students, directing the educational institution during its great expansion. In this position, he expanded the system with advanced programs, which were innovative in teaching students with special needs. Under his direction, UTA acquired several additional academic facilities, introduced a state-of-the-art computer based management system, and developed an ambitious new graduate program.

In addition to galvanizing the UTA school system, directing the entire management team and supervising all administrative matters, Rabbi Glanz devoted a vast amount of his time and efforts to community service. From 1978-1996, he coordinated and directed Hatzoloh of Brooklyn North, the local emergency volunteer corps. Since 1987, Rabbi Glanz co-directed Hatzoloh's annual fundraising events and the Satmar community's vast array of charity efforts for thousands of needy families. He also chairs the community drive to help children with special needs. From 1995-2004, he served as community coordinator for United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg, the umbrella organization of more than 100 social, health, and welfare organizations.

Rabbi Glanz spearheaded the reorganization of Shomrim, the Williamsburg Safety Patrol, in coordination with the NYPD and other city agencies, successfully establishing productive and warm relations with a host of community groups reflecting the diverse needs and backgrounds of the Williamsburg community. He continues his involvement with Chaverim and Satmar Bikur Cholim volunteer organizations.

Rabbi Glanz was presented with a medal of honor by Mayor Rudy Giuliani for assisting and counseling the families and friends of passengers of TWA flight 800, immediately after the tragic accident, for more than 72 hours, uninterrupted. Rabbi Glanz is also recognized for coordinating volunteers for food distribution to the hundreds of police, firefighters and other officers immediately following the 9/11 disaster. The rabbi continued to assist families and staff at Ground Zero for several weeks thereafter. In February 2007, he was appointed as Senior Advisor to Congressman Ed Towns.

Rabbi Glanz's vocation has engaged him in spiritual guidance to individuals of all backgrounds and faiths. This work with society's most vulnerable led him to a career turn. Confident that he can make a difference, he handed over the responsibilities for school administration to his successor and entered the chaplaincy of the New York City Department of Corrections (DOC). In this capacity, he provides spiritual counseling and comfort to both the incarcerated, their families, as well as to the employees of the DOC.

In 2003, he was promoted to administrative chaplain to oversee and coordinate the work of chaplains of other faiths in religious planning and programming for the DOC. In addition to providing policy input and sensitivity training to the DOC and NYPD Brooklyn North, Rabbi Glanz also serves large hospitals and medical institutions, including NYU, Beth Israel, LICH, and Staten Island University Hospital.

The DOC has conferred several awards on Rabbi Glanz. In 2002, he received the Commissioner's Five Star Award, and on several occasions he was presented with the Employee of the Month or Man of the Year Award. In June of 2005, he was presented with the Humanitarian Award from the Maccabee Society as well as the New York State Assembly Citation and Humanitarian Award.

A lifelong resident of the City of New York, Rabbi Glanz is grateful for the opportunity to serve this great city and state he so deeply loves, and to work with the public safety professionals he so admires.

Bnei Brak

Rabbi Akiva, zt"l (85-135 CE), renowned Talmudic scholar, lived in Bnei Brak. Our study of Mishnah and Talmud today is directly attributable to the systemization of Talmudic literature, later codified by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, zt"l (135-219 CE). We meet Rabbi Akiva at every Passover Seder when we read about his conduct of the Seder in Bnei Brak that lasted all night.

Today's Bnei Brak is believed to be less than three miles north of its ancient site. The current Bnei Brak was established in 1924 as an observant community. Rabbi Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz, zt"l, was it's first Rav succeeded by Rabbi Yosef Zvi Kalish, zt"l (1886-1957), who was appointed in 1937. Rabbi Yosef Cohen, zt"l, is also identified as one of its early rabbis. Rabbi Yaakov Landau, zt"l (1893-1986), served as Rav in Bnei Brak from 1936-1986, with great distinction. He was universally respected by all segments of society. His kashrus certification was accepted by all. His son and successor, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib Landau, has earned the same stature.

Notable rabbis that have lived in Bnei Brak are Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, zt"l (1879‑1953), renowned author of Chazon Ish; Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager, zt"l (1888‑1872), Vishnitzer Rebbe; Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, zt"l (1899-1985), Steipler Rav in Bnei Brak and revered author of Kehilas Yaakov; Rabbi Elazar Menachem Mann Shach, zt"l (1894‑2001), revered Ponovez Rosh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak; amongst many others. Towering rabbinic personalities residing in Bnei Brak include: Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman; Rabbi Shmuel Wosner, revered author of Shevet Levi; Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky; and Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, Vishnitzer Rebbe.

Mayor Yakov Asher Of Bnei Brak Visits New York

Yakov Asher, the newly elected mayor of Bnei Brak, home to one the largest concentration of observant Jews in the world is visiting the United States for the first time since assuming office. Mayor Asher is introducing the recent establishment of the Development Fund for Bnei Brak. The fund seeks to attract foreign investment to Bnei Brak for projects that will enhance the quality of life for its residents, both current and future.

After 20 years of exemplary public service, with no challenge having been too big or too small for his attention, combined with unparalleled devotion to the needs of every person that knocked on his door, Yakov Asher was elected mayor of Bnei Brak with wall-to-wall support its leaders and its constituency, literally without opposition.

Mayor Yakov Asher of Bnei Brak reviewing map with Ezra Friedlander

His first two major goals are to lead the city into economic independence by promoting the building of high-rise apartment buildings in its northern part, centers of industry and commerce, as well as the creation of a development fund, modeled after that founded by the celebrated mayor of Jerusalem (1965-1993), the legendarily productive Teddy Kollek, a"h (1911-2007). Through this fund donors from around the world that appreciate the importance of preserving a precious Torah city, will lend support to its work of improving the general welfare, education, and overall quality of life enterprises.

Special emphasis is being placed on vocational training as well as on children's day-care services, both of which will enable much needed income earning opportunities for the citizens of Bnei Brak.

With recent pronouncements from the BelzerRebbe and others, promoting entry into the work force, combined with innovative industry adaptations to sensitivities of the observant community, the number of its members gainfully employed has risen impressively, and continues to rise. According to Ezra Friedlander, CEO of the Friedlander Group, representing the Bnei Brak Fund, the visit of Mayor Asher will allow him to meet with important communal and business leaders from across the broad spectrum of the Jewish community.

Hopefully, this effort will create interest in the new entity concentrating on initiating and partnering projects with potential investors, especially focusing on efforts that will increase recreation and special education for Beni Brak.

Synonymous with the timeless values of Jewish tradition, Bnei Brak boasts a myriad of chassidic centers, shuls, famous yeshivos; many describe it as the capital of chesed in the Land of Israel. Additionally, the vast majority of the New York Jewish community shares a close kinship with Bnei Brak both familial and communal. It is with these statistics that great anticipation is being generated towards the maiden trip of Mayor Asher to the United States.

For more information, please contact The Friedlander Group, at BneiBrak@FriedlanderGroupPR.com or by calling 718-436-5555 x101.

Satmar-Biksad Shidduch

On Wednesday, June 10, Chaim Hersh Teitelbaum was engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Shmeiya Yakov Fish, Biksader Dayan; son of Rabbi Nachum Zvi Fish, zt"l, Biksader Rebbe; son of Rabbi Eliezer Fish, Hy"d (1880-1944), BiksaderRebbe and author of Shem Eliezer who was murdered in the Holocaust. The Shem Eliezer was a disciple of the Kedushas Yom Tov of Sighet and later established his yeshiva and court in Satmar. The kallah is also the granddaughter of Rabbi Ben-Zion Jacobowitz of Bnei Brak, author Tziyonei Taharah.

The chassan is the son of Rabbi Boruch Shraga Feivish Teitelbaum; son of Rabbi Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, Zenta Rav in Williamsburg; third child and second son of Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, zt"l (1914‑2006), Satmar Rebbe and author of Beirach Moshe.

Read Comments (2)

Engagement Announcement
Date 08:06, 06-19, 09

Doesn't the engaged girl have a name? Not to mention a mother? If so, why aren't their names in the article?

Kallah
Date 10:06, 06-20, 09

With all due respect, I would be interested in knowing the Halachic basis for omitting to mention the Kalla's name.

On the face of it, it seems hard to understand. May I suggest that the Kalla's name be mentioned from now on.