Esther Pollard: A True Woman of Valor
Esther called their marriage "an oasis of unconditional love in a sea of lies and corruption.
Little-Known Facts About The Chofetz Chaim – On His 86th Yahrzeit
Many do not realize that the Chofetz Chaim's second rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Freida Kagan, died in the United States and is buried in Queens.
The Many Legacies Of Rabbi Wallerstein, zt”l
An ordinary man who led an extraordinary life, Rabbi Wallerstein was never one who chased the limelight or enjoyed the trappings of fame.
From Out Of The Depths: In Memory Of The Piaseczner Rebbe
Before the horrors of the Holocaust began, Rabbi Shapira had become the advocate for Peasecod, the many young people who were struggling with the meaning of the ancient texts and their own identities as traditional Jews.
What We Owe The Satmar Rebbe: A Tribute on His 40th Yahrzeit
We all know about the Satmar Rebbe’s anti-Zionist stance, but there was much more to him than his anti-Zionism.
Rabbi Gabriel Maza, Spiritual Leader and Warrior Against Anti-Semitism, Dies Aged 99
When a virulent wave of anti-Semitic incidents swept Long Island, Rabbi Maza forged alliances with government officials and clergy of other faiths to foster empathy and demand action. His appearances on TV, radio and in newsprint ensured both media and public couldn’t turn a blind eye.
Passion And Perfection: A Tribute To Pia Aviva Zobel, a”h
It was as a wife and mother that she truly shone. The two focuses of her life were her beloved husband Shmulik and her amazing children.
Rabbi Sacks: The Great Man I Knew
He once confided to me that the rhetoric and backlash was so intense at the time that he contemplated resigning.
Rabbi Dr. Bernard Bergman
Bergman's dedication to unearthing rare rabbinic texts was complemented by his passion for antique books. He built one of the largest private collections, which included many items dating back centuries, including antique manuscripts.
Rav Yaakov Ruderman: American Torah Giant
As Rav Ruderman explained to Professor William Helmreich in a January 1978 interview, “College gives a person parnossah. We find that our boys stay with learning longer this way. They don’t have to kill themselves for a job.
Rabbi Dr. Zecharia Harvey Senter, Kashrus Pioneer, 84
My father sought out truth and insisted on telling the truth even at the cost of lost accounts. He always did the right thing even if it was not popular.
The Remarkable Life Of Dr. Fred Rosner
When we talk about the Torah being passed down generation to generation, Dr. Rosner was a living example of that. He brought the Torah from last generation to the children of this generation. He was a conduit of tradition.
Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu (1927-2022), Europe’s Greatest Halachic Authority, Passes Away
He upheld a gold standard for conversions to Judaism, withstanding any pressures to recognize the work of rabbis significantly more lenient than him, and opposed the participation of United Synagogue rabbis in popular conferences that in his opinion would compromise their message as rabbanim.
Rabbi Dr. Isaac Lewin, zt”l – My Father – On His 25th Yahrzeit
My father’s favorite toy was his portable Hebrew typewriter. I would fall asleep each night on the living-room sofa of our one-bedroom apartment to the clickety-clack of that machine.
My Great Uncle, HaRav HaGaon Rav Dovid Soloveitchik
He wouldn't lean back on a chair so as not to enjoy the comforts of this world.
Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer – On His 40th Yahrzeit
His fatherly manner of receiving, and maintaining a connection with, the many students who came from across Europe left a lifelong impression on them.
In Tribute To My Beloved Brother, Jacob M.M. Graff
Nothing was more important to Jacob than his family. He treasured each one of his children and grandchildren and was in turn endeared to all of them in full measure.
My Childhood Memories Of Rav Yitzchok Hutner – On His 40th Yahrzeit
Even as close friends grappled with the temptation [to smoke], I was untroubled, having been immunized by this great teacher of our generation who doubled as a surrogate grandfather for the children of his students.
My Grandson Donny – A True Korban Olah
Everything he intended and needed to do was laid out in advance so that he didn’t miss a beat and accidentally skip over something he wanted to get done – including calling his grandma, my wife, each and every Thursday evening.
My Mother, Ruth Ballabon, a”h
A surprised friend remarked, “I didn’t know your mother was a shadchan.” She wasn’t. She just instinctively helped everyone she could in the way it was most needed – and sometimes that was a shidduch.
Miraculous Discoveries By Raphael Mechoulam, The ‘Grandfather Of Cannabis Research’
One of Mechoulam’s most groundbreaking discoveries was that cannabis can stop seizures in people with epilepsy.
Rabbi Dr Moshe Dovid Tendler, Pioneered Modern Medical Halacha, 95
Decades ago, the Orthodox got no respect. There was this sense that modern science contradicted the Torah. Rav Tendler made a huge Kiddush Hashem by disproving that notion, said Rabbi Hershel Schachter.
Remembering Rabbi Dov Aaron Brisman
For every kid in the shul he had a different joke and a nickname and every kid thought he was they were his best friend, Rabbi Reuven Goldstein, member of the Philadelphia beis din and successor to Brisman at Young Israel of Elkins Park (YIEP), said. He was able to relate to everybody.
Reflections Upon The First Yahrzeit Of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, zt”l
With the Novominsker, zt”l, it was more subtle; with Rabbi Dr. Twerski's, zt”l, psychiatric work, it was more explicit. With both, their leadership was towering; their passing left leadership gaps the consequences of which have been deeply painful.
René Slotkin, One Of The Last Surviving Mengele Twins, 84
René believed that Hashem was with him the whole time because the numbers the Nazis engraved on his arm added up to 26 – the gematria of Hashem’s name.
My Friend Ari Fuld, a Hero of Israel
Ari was larger than life. His deeds matched his words. His family, defending the Jewish people, teaching Torah and supporting IDF soldiers – that was his world.
Remembering Rabbi David Halpern, Leading Activist For Soviet Jewry, On His Yahrzeit
With his friendship with YU and loyalty to the cause of Soviet Jewry, it is easy to see why Rabbi Halpern aligned himself with the Triple-S-J even when it was a fledgling organization and advocated for others to participate in its efforts.
Edith Weiss, Survivor And Educator, Dies At Age 93
It never ceases to amaze how someone who endured such horror and tragedy as a teenager can emerge from the ashes and accomplish so much.
In Memory Of My Mother, Peppy Sternheim Lewin, a”h: The Woman Responsible for Sugihara’s...
All who knew her benefited from her wisdom. In fact, her wisdom saved thousands of Jewish lives.
Rabbi Melvin I. Burg, zt’l, Spiritual Leader Of Ocean Avenue Jewish Center
My father had an amazing ability to speak to anyone about anything. No matter how old or young, he could connect. He would come to services thirty minutes early and spend time speaking to the congregants.