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“We live in changing times,” Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel observed, but “the truth is that times always change.
“The challenges and pitfalls of one generation are not those of another.” And with that introduction, the Rebbe chose the occasion of Agudas Yisroel’s 87th anniversary dinner to address two painful social issues facing the observant Jewish world at present.
First, however, he reminded his listeners that what makes Agudas Yisroel special is that “it seeks the truth of Torah” and discerns it in the understanding of Gedolei Torah. That determination to divine what is proper for Klal Yisroel “resists even well-meaning daas baalei batim,” Rabbi Perlow proclaimed, and certainly “the bloggers and the picketers, presumptuous promoters” of the notion that “they know better what is good for the Jews.”
“A serious issue” has arisen in our community, the Rebbe went on. “Individuals have been hurt and deserve redress, acknowledgment and empathy.” There is a need, the Rosh Agudas Yisroel continued, “for tikkun ha’ovar” – correcting the past – and for addressing the future, “creating means to guide against wrongdoing to children.”
Not many people, Rabbi Perlow noted, know of the countless hours spent by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel and the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah over the past two years discussing the many complex facets, including the implications “for mosdos haTorah.”
“No one really knows the sensitivity that went into this entire process,” over the course of many meetings regarding “this painful parsha.”
He called his listeners to carefully read and comprehend the joint statement that was issued several weeks ago by Agudas Yisroel and Torah Umesorah, reflecting the conclusion of the rabbonim at their helms. “It was carefully drafted,” he averred, “and is not to be misread or treated cavalierly.”
That statement made clear that the signatory organizations fully acknowledge the horror of abuse, “the devastating long-term scars it all too often creates,” and the fact that “for too long many victims have suffered alone.” It declared that Agudas Yisroel and Torah Umesorah would have “no objection to legislation designed to give victims of abuse greater recourse against perpetrators. Nor would we object to extending statutes of limitations for criminal proceedings against perpetrators.” But it objected to legislation that, due to its proposed year-long total suspension of the statute of limitations for civil suits against institutions, could, with the proliferation of lawsuits that might come in its wake, “destroy schools, houses of worship that sponsor youth programs, summer camps and other institutions that are the very lifeblood of our community.”
The second contemporary issue addressed by the Rebbe at the Agudah dinner involved an issue born of the constant balancing a Torah-faithful community has to undertake when living in a larger culture with very different ideals, some of them even “repugnant to our sacred values.”
“We live in a malchus shel chesed,” Rabbi Perlow asserted, “and we appreciate all that it has done for us.” At the same time, though, he continued, “we must proclaim Sheim Shomayim loud and clear,” and must declare “our opposition and strong protest” against efforts to “change the meaning of marriage” – the agenda of legislation currently before the New York State legislature.
The Rosh Agudas Yisroel then turned his listeners’ attention to the terrible loss the Torah world had suffered mere months earlier upon the petira of Reb Elya Svei, zt”l, the Philadelphia Rosh HaYeshiva and long-time elder member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. The challenge facing the Torah world today, he said, “is now greater,” as Rabbi Svei had so deeply invested himself in, and felt achrayus for, inyonei tzibbur.
The need now, he continued, is for further investment of the olam haTorah’s kochos into work on behalf of the klal, and an invigorated sense of achrayus on the part of all who carry the banner of Torah for undertaking efforts on behalf of the tzibbur. Reb Elya, zt”l, the Rebbe noted, undertook his responsibilities at the Agudah “as a link” to the great Lakewood Rosh HaYeshiva Rav Aharon Kotler, zt”l, and “a bridge” to a “pristine” past. “Tzaddik ovad, lidoro ovad.” – “The loss of a righteous man is his generation’s loss.”
The Agudas Yisroel dinner began with remarks by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel – his first at an Agudah dinner in his position as the organization’s executive vice president. Rabbi Zwiebel took note of the constant growth of Agudas Yisroel as a force for kiddush Hashem nationwide, referencing not only the group’s Washington Office but regional offices in states across the country. He then focused on New York City, where Agudas Yisroel is headquartered, pointing out how the personal histories of the parents or grandparents of so many in the room – himself included – are bound up with the city. And how New York has today become home to over 240 elementary and secondary Jewish schools, servicing more than 88,000 children, “kein yirbu.”
Acknowledging that Agudas Yisroel has had, and likely always will have, “disagreements, even serious ones,” with local governmental officials, “on balance, we’ve been able to work with leaders” of city government to benefit both the Jewish community and New York itself. With that, Rabbi Zwiebel introduced Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York and the evening’s guest speaker, pointing out how helpful to the Orthodox Jewish community Mr. Bloomberg has been, on issues like the protection of bris milah, aid to private schools and security for religious and educational institutions.
Mayor Bloomberg began his remarks by imagining his elderly mother’s reaction when he calls her to tell her that he sat on a dais with members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah that evening. “Wow!” was his guess. He imagined that his late grandfather, a rabbi, would have been similarly impressed at the venue at which he was speaking.
With Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu set to meet with President Barack Obama the next day, Mayor Bloomberg recalled the President’s comment during the presidential campaign that “If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.”
“I hope,” said Mr. Bloomberg, “that the President’s remark will be in his mind tomorrow.”
The New York Mayor went on to speak about the state of the city, and how, despite the “tough times” it is undergoing, “I find it hard not to be optimistic.” He recounted the drop in the crime rate and contrasted the Crown Heights of two decades ago with what he called “a safe neighborhood” today. He also proclaimed accomplishments and determination in the realm of affordable housing – an issue of great interest to the observant Jewish community – and economic opportunity plans.
Acknowledging that some of the Orthodox community’s needs “are unique” and may not always fit into the existing structure of governmental responsibilities, “if there is any way we can help, we will.”
Honorees at the dinner included: Rabbi Avrohom Halpern, who received the Rabbi Moshe Sherer Memorial Award, for lifelong devotion to Klal Yisroel; The Jewish Observer, which was honored as the recipient of the Hagaon Rav Aharon Kotler Memorial Award, for distinguished service to Torah; Irwin Mehl, z”l, whose family accepted the Reb Elimelech Tress Memorial Award in tribute to Mr. Mehl’s role in preserving the legacy of the Shearis HaPleitah; and Binyomin Berger, who received the Moreinu Yaakov Rosenheim Memorial Award, for distinguished service to Agudath Israel.
Avodas Hakodesh awardees were Ronald Coleman, Yankie Klein, Yosef Rapaport and Dovid Winiarz. Rabbi Raymond Haber was the recipient of the Wolf Friedman Leadership Award. Shimon Lefkowitz serves as dinner chairman, and Meir Lichtenstein as co-chairman.
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18 Responses
“it seeks the truth of Torah” and discerns it in the understanding of Gedolei Torah. That determination to divine what is proper for Klal Yisroel “resists even well-meaning daas baalei batim,” Rabbi Perlow proclaimed, and certainly “the bloggers and the picketers, presumptuous promoters” of the notion that “they know better what is good for the Jews.”
Mayor Bloomberg , senator Schumer, all who support taeva marriages ,given kovod an Agudath diner…Something i don’t understand? Or it’s politically incorrect to tell them in face You are with us or against Torah???
Editors Note: Why don’t you ask him in person?
(Comment was deleted)
in case anybody didnt fully understand,
the Novominsker rebbe was only reminding us what we were taught ,
that “daas baalei batim is HEFECH daas torah”.
the rebbe explained that this ofcourse applies even to “well meaning” ones. & certainly to the bloggers…
#2 & #3 The answer to your issues was said clearly by the Rebbe Shlita. Here is his quote (as #1 already wrote. It is not for us to question on this forum. Our Manhigim KNOW what they are doing. This quote could not have been better stated! They know – we don’t (even if we think we do)
Here is the quote from the above article
First, however, he reminded his listeners that what makes Agudas Yisroel special is that “it seeks the truth of Torah” and discerns it in the understanding of Gedolei Torah. That determination to divine what is proper for Klal Yisroel “resists even well-meaning daas baalei batim,” Rabbi Perlow proclaimed, and certainly “the bloggers and the picketers, presumptuous promoters” of the notion that “they know better what is good for the Jews.”
That would be too much ChutzPah, even for me!
EDITORS NOTE: Really? So you mean you can hide behind a “screen-name” and bash gedolim?
Shame on you.
As hard as it is for me to admit it, you’re right. I went too far in my criticism. It’s just too easy to “cross the line” when you’re doing a quick comment on the internet.
Thanks for the correction.
Does that mean, we have to walk in lockstep?
Plain, poshut, we must have emunas chachamim, whatever they say should be followed, especially we have a group of chachamim that come together as “Agudah.” Let’s not forget the story behind the megilah; Mordechai instructed people not to go to the party.
Ask ashkofa questions is forbidden in Judaism??? Jast give a clear answer, that’s it…no making anybody, no disrespect.If it opinion of somebody ,just let us know on what’s it based…
Lihavdil, when Pres. Obama spoke at Notre Dame (a xtian college)there was a huge outcry and protest…How can they allow an anti -life proponent at their graduation. and we let these pro toeva people come…
Sad.
12 – HUH? Who said you can’t ask. Go ahead, ask! Don’t ask your questions here on this site. Go and ask the Gedolim yourself. They are easy to get to. Their numbers are listed, their Yeshivos are open and they are there all day.
It was never said you can’t ask. What you can’t do is question their decision even if you don’t like it or agree to it.
If you have a question like you posted on your comment that is fair to ask, but don’t post it here for our opinion because we can’t answer for them. GO AND ASK!!!!!!! If you don’t have what it takes to ask thats a shame. There is no excuse for you not to find one of the Roshei yeshiva on the Moetzes and ask them Bderech Kovod. They will be happy to talk to you about anything on your mind.
…….On you I can ask….so why would you give the title of Rabbi to Lamm????
We all have to be very carefull how we talk about gedolim.
I have another may be inconvenient question.Why Aguda diner has to be in Manhattan? Most not znius place in whole in New- York(my be world). Could You imagine all Rabonim have to go to the streets of Manhattan…Why do not do in Boro-Park, Williansburg?.What special about this Hotel and Manhattan for promoting yideshkait??? And I really do not know who to ask, who decide this matters?I’m Baal-tshuva, and asking forgiveness before hand if any of my questions assault anybody…I really very interested to know..
#12 “Now, I’d like to know why they honored Bloomberg. Was it because of the funding he helps Yeshivas get? If so, I would respectfully suggest that they listen to the famous tape of R’ Gifter, where he went after Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. In the speech, he said very clearly that on this issue, you can’t compromise, no matter how much money it might cost a yeshiva.”
Feif Un who should listen to the tape? The Rebbe?
Rav Dovid Feinstein? Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky who should ask and who should listen? These decisions (to allow Bloomberg the podium and others of these types) are not made by themselves, they are made with the approvel of very great men many of them in attendance at the very dinner you question. You are making the assumption that The Agudah lay leadership does not consult with their Rabbinic leadership on these major decisons and thats where you are making a major mistake.What makes the Agudah different is the overwhelming presence and guidence of Torah giants who are neither shy or afraid to make their feelings and opinions clearly known.Their advice and Hadrocha is sought out for approvel all the time. If the Mayor spoke then you can be assured that Daas torah allowed it. If you dont agree with that Daas, then I respectfully refer you back to post # 1?
#16 – Welcome to the real world of Torah. You say you are A Baal Tshuva and that makes you a better person then me. You made the choice to become Frum i was born into a Frum family. I wish I knew who you were for I would love to shake your hand and to personally wish you only Hatzlocho in all you do.
You have a fair question and you should feel free to ask it. You can call the Aguda office and ask for Rabbi Becker or Rabbi (Yonah) Feinstein and they I am sure would be happy to discuss it with you. If they know they will tell you. If not they will get you the answer. This is what makes the Aguda so special. They are an organization that cares and they will fight for all of Klal Yisroel. They fight for us so that people such as yourself will see that being a Frum Jew is something special.
we are proud to have you as part of our team.
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First, however, he reminded his listeners that what makes Agudas Yisroel special is that “it seeks the truth of Torah” and discerns it in the understanding of Gedolei Torah. That determination to divine what is proper for Klal Yisroel “resists even well-meaning daas baalei batim,” Rabbi Perlow proclaimed, and certainly “the bloggers and the picketers, presumptuous promoters” of the notion that “they know better what is good for the Jews.”
2-
“A serious issue” has arisen in our community, the Rebbe went on. “Individuals have been hurt and deserve redress, acknowledgment and empathy.” There is a need, the Rosh Agudas Yisroel continued, “for tikkun ha’ovar” – correcting the past – and for addressing the future, “creating means to guide against wrongdoing to children.”
My Take:
The issue has not just “arisen” but has been around for 50 years and has been known to many . Sadly, it was only because of the efforts and pressure coming from “the bloggers and the picketers” that this issue was taken seriously by the Agudah. So in truth , the only thing that has “arisen” is the the fact that people in our own community were not going to sit back anymore and allow this issue to be whitewashed and or swept under the carpet any longer.
I’m sorry!!!
26 estates, well said.
homell, warm welcome as well.