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8 Adar II 5760 - March 15, 2000 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Opinion & Comment
Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky, a"h

By Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg

It is an experience commonly shared by so many of us. We visit a family and, during this warm visit, the mantle shelf in the family living room catches our attention. There we find, as a majestic story unfolds, the growth of generations. A place of honor to the grandparents -- and, as our eyes and heart take note of the rest, we also view the eager faces of the young ones, the grandchildren and oft, the great- grandchildren as well.

What is said about a family and its mantle shelf, can also be said about a community and its corridors of Jewish history. The eyes roam and the heart tugs, as the writer of these lines views with sensitivity the specific community history of the last fifty-five years in the United States.

With gratitude to the Almighty for making this personal view possible, one approaches the community's mantle shelf with respect, eagerness and affection. And on this mantle shelf, one picture stands out. It is indeed, Joe Kaminetsky, the beloved Dr. Kaminetsky, architect of the Hebrew Day Schools movement -- its leader from its inception. The gracious Joe, with whom so much was shared: the agony of the pioneering years and the heady sense of triumph as we reached the decades of success.

Dr. Kaminetsky hears all this, sees all this, understands all this and, guided by his mentors, the founder of Torah Umesorah, Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz, and the roshei yeshiva of the Rabbinical Administrative Board, Joe Kaminetsky marches on. High-spirited, keenly intelligent, multi-talented, he becomes the bridge-builder par excellence. He salvages indeed the years of success, out of the agony and pain.

And so, in the process, he becomes the person who rightfully assumes the place of honor on the mantle shelf of the history corridors of the American Jewish community.

It is said in the name of HaGaon HaRav Ruderman, the late rosh hayeshiva of Baltimore's Ner Israel Yeshiva and chairman of Torah Umesorah's Rabbinical Administrative Board for many years, that he viewed Dr. Kaminetsky's tenure in Torah Umesorah as a special sign of Hashgacha, so as to make real the achievement and fulfillment of Torah Umesorah's unique task. Thus, Dr. Kaminetsky's leadership in the crucial early years, as well as in the years of growth, is truthfully captioned: "On a note of triumph." This indeed is the story, in full, of the towering image on our community's mantle shelf, so rich in history.

Dr. Kaminetsky would translate inspiration to doubting lay leaders, share courage with hard-working educators, and allow a glimpse of his vision, intense as it was, to skeptical Jewish Federation leaders. What made him so successful in his outreach to all the different strata in the community? His legendary energy, his loyalty to his beliefs, his marvelous insight, shepherded as he was by his mentors -- the Roshei Yeshiva.

And so, in the course of time, the mantle shelf becomes crowded. When Torah Umesorah was established in 1955 -- with only three schools outside of New York -- there were a total of 7,000 students altogether in New York and in schools outside of New York. Today there are 672 schools and 175,000 students.

Yes, indeed, the pictures begin to crowd each other -- all brought into life by the life-giving force of Torah Umesorah, and the years of leadership by Dr. Kaminetsky. There are now kollelim, mini-kollelim, SEED programs and Teacher Training institutions, Chavrusa programs, telephone outreach programs, community development and, as the generations grow, so does the movement. But, in the center of the mantle shelf, as it should be, is the image and picture of Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky.

Dr. Kaminetsky wrote in his book "Memorable Encounters" as follows: "The total effect of my experiences was a teacher of encouragement for the tutors -- and all have a sense of perseverance against overwhelming odds. Schools were built by a group of die-hards who brooked no discouragement in pursuit of their objectives. These people are the real heroes of the Hebrew Day School Story."

So it was. But let it be said that the man at the head of this period of real heroes was none other than Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky himself.

And yes, the man at the very center of the mantle shelf in the very corridors of American Jewish history of the last fifty some years is none other than Dr. Kaminetsky. Let this also be said -- yihiyeh zichro boruch. Let his memory be a blessing.

Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg is National Director Emeritus of Torah Umesorah of the United States.


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