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Listen 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.
For speaking engagements or tours in Israel or Eastern Europe
Yehuda@YehudaGeberer.com
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
From the first arrival of the Chassidic group to Tverya in 1777, through the Aliya of the students of the Vilna Gaon in the early years of the 19th century, and right up until modern times, the Chaluka system was the lifeline of support for the Old Yishuv. How were the funds collected and distributed? What constituted the "Old Yishuv"? Under which criteria was one eligible for this financial support, and were those conditions met? How long did it last? What were some of the long term societal effects on the community of recipients, as well as on the community of donors back in Europe? Exploring the context of these questions and others will give a clearer understanding of a financial support system whose echoes remain till this very day.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
The Founding of the Merkaz Harav in the second decade of the twentieth century, brought together a group of some very talented individuals to the forefront of Torah education. Among others, we'll examine the life of the Rav Dovid Cohen, the Rav Hanazir (1887-1972), who's origins lay in the Rabbinic Lithuanian aristocracy and later became a modern day Nazir. Rav Yitzchok Arielli (1896-1974) was home grown talent in the Old City of Yerushalayim. Following his exposure to Rav Kook, he became a close student and subsequently one of the heads of Merkaz Harav, while also achieving distinction as one of the leading poskim in Yerushalayim. Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlap (1882-1951) a mystic, thinker, Talmudist, community Rabbi, leader and Rosh Yeshiva, was one of the most diverse of this talented circle.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Friday Dec 06, 2019
Friday Dec 06, 2019
Get ready for Part 2 of our interview with the legendary Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff. Rav Rakeffett is a world class Jewish Historian who has lived a storied life, from learning in Lakewood and Yeshiva University to sharing close relationships with luminaries such as Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, Rav Aaron Kotler,Rav Moshe Feinstein as well as other Gedolim. He has authored numerous bestselling Sefarim and Books such as "The Silver Era" and the multi volume "Rakaffot Aaron" series. He has thousands of Talmidim around the world, many of whom listen to his Shiurim regularly in person at Gruss Kollel in Yerushalayim and online at YUTorah.org . In addition to his storied teaching and writing careers, Rav Rakeffet has spent time working for the IDF and Mossad on a variety of important missions including clandestine trips to Soviet Russia and a close involvement with the Zachary Baumel HY'D case.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Our momentous 100th Episode is Part 1 of our interview with the legendary Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff. Rav Rakeffett is a world class Jewish Historian who has lived a storied life, from learning in Lakewood and Yeshiva University to sharing close relationships with luminaries such as Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, Rav Aaron Kotler,Rav Moshe Feinstein as well as other Gedolim.
He has authored numerous bestselling Sefarim and Books such as "The Silver Era" and the multi volume "Rakaffot Aaron" series. He has thousands of Talmidim around the world, many of whom listen to his Shiurim regularly in person at Gruss Kollel in Yerushalayim and online at YUTorah.org . In addition to his storied teaching and writing careers, Rav Rakeffet has spent time working for the IDF and Mossad on a variety of important missions including clandestine trips to Soviet Russia and a close involvement with the Zachary Baumel HY'D case.
Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites
You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
As loyal citizens of their respective countries, Jews served loyally in every army and on every front. Very often one encountered the tragic scenario of Jew fighting Jew. Jewish chaplains serviced Jewish soldiers in the German army, and connected with local Jewish communities in areas under German occupation. This enhanced the connection between East and West. Jewish soldiers faced numerous challenges while serving and it became part of the struggle of Jewish identity in modern times.
Jewish communities were exiled across Eastern Europe. With Galicia Jews streaming west towards Vienna, the pace of urbanization quickened. This brought Chassidus and great Rebbes for the first time to the West and to the great urban centers. Meanwhile in Russia, some communities were exiled as a result of the their homes being turned into a battlefield, while others were expelled by the Czar to the Russian interior. This massive exile caused a great upheaval in communal life, and in some instances a complete disintegration thereof. Among the exiled were many of the great Lithuanian Yeshivas. They attempted to relocate and continue their studies under ever worsening conditions.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Saturday Nov 30, 2019
Saturday Nov 30, 2019
Of the many figures who traversed two worlds in the past century, perhaps none epitomized that duality more than Rabbi Dr. Saul Lieberman. Scion of a Rabbinical family and student of Slabodka, he was to become one of the greatest scholars ever in the field of early Rabbinic writings. As one of the chief professors at the Jewish Theological Seminary for over four decades, he struggled with the challenges of Jewish identity in the Conservative and Orthodox communities. A brilliant and enigmatic personality, his winding career is a prism of the vicissitudes of Jewish life in the 20th century.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Thursday Nov 28, 2019
Thursday Nov 28, 2019
Kletzker Rosh Yeshiva, Agudist, member of Agudas Harrabonim, head of Vaad Hatzala, Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood/BMG, founder and head of Chinuch Atzmai, Torah Umesorah & more. Rav Aharon Kotler (1891-1962) wore many hats in the diverse array of initiatives that he undertook to build the future of the Jewish people worldwide.
With his boundless energy and devoted lieutenants, he partnered with people from all types and backgrounds to further the projects that he spearheaded. With his bold vision, he set out to invest in Jewish education in both the United States and Israel. In 1956, he led a campaign launch a Torah School network in Israel in the form of Chinuch Atzmai. The guest of honor at the inaugural dinner was Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik, and was a historic event in the annals of the American Jewish community.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
One of the most difficult stories to confront in an objective fashion, is the issue of Jewish collaboration during the Holocaust. From the Judenrat and the Jewish Police in the Ghettos to Kapos in the Concentration Camps, the questions raised by the moral decisions made by Jews working ostensibly for the Nazis resonates till this very day. One of the more famous stories was of Eliezer Greunbaum, the communist son of the great Zionist leader Yitzchak Greunbaum. As a Kapo in Auschwitz he was accused after the war of being a collaborator. But was he? Decades later, can we view the situation with more nuance, objectivity and balance and recognize the dilemmas they faced under trying circumstances?
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Saturday Nov 23, 2019
Saturday Nov 23, 2019
One of the largest Chassidic groups before the war, Radomsk evoked the majesty of Polish Chassidus in its full glory. Completely decimated during the Holocaust, it remains mostly unknown today. The story begins with the Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk who was one of the most beloved Rebbes of his day. As Jews from all over Poland flocked to the warmth of Radomsk, this court came to be known for its warmth, acceptance and it's beautiful songs. The last Rebbe of Radomsk moved with his followers into the modern era by investing his energies in building a vast network of Yeshivas called Keser Torah across Poland. Staying with his chassidim till the very end, he was martyred in the Warsaw Ghetto snuffing out the torch of this great dynasty.
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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
Thursday Nov 21, 2019
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.
Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites
You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com