Jewish History Soundbites

One of the odder stories of the Jewish People under Soviet rule is the forming of the Jewish Autonomous Region of Birobidzhan. Founded by Stalin in 1928 as a territorial solution for the Jewish People, it never quite took off as planned. Harsh living conditions and eventually Stalin's purges prevented any major Jewish growth in the region. However, when Birobidzhan was conceptualized as a realistic option, it caused quite a stir in the Jewish world. Does the Jewish People need a territory to solve it's national woes? That's what the Zionist movement was proposing with the new Jewish Nationalism. Perhaps any territory would suffice, as long as the Jewish Nation had some form of territorial center- even in faraway Birobidzhan. That's how many Jewish socialists and Jewish communists reacted to it's initial founding. The Birobidzhan plan flopped, but the questions of Jewish identity and nationalism continued on as before.

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A gifted leader, with a brilliant mind and a unique approach, Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926) author of the acclaimed Ohr Somayach stands out among the personalities of his day. The 1910 Rabbinical conference in St. Petersburg, was a testing ground for how modern Jewish leadership would grapple with the hot button issues facing the Jews of the Russian Empire. Rav Meir Simcha was one of the respected participants, and he weighed in on the challenges of the time. With panoply of voices and opinions, it wouldn't be a simple matter for his view to hold sway. His Rabbinical leadership in the waning days of the rule of the Czars, gives a glimpse into the challenges of traditional Jewish life at the turn of the century.

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With his appointment as Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, and subsequently of all of British controlled Palestine, Rav Avraham Yitzchok Hakohen Kook (1875-1935) transitioned into his most active period in the public sphere. While garnering much support and staving off the opposition, he managed to build and accomplish in many areas of Jewish life. Along with other Rabbis, he became a primary architect of the Rabbanut to regulate religious life in the "Yishuv", he invested much in Yeshivas and Jewish education, developed working -albeit often times strained- relationships with officials in the British Government, and managed to build bridges with the secular Zionist leadership as well.

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Understanding the context of how the Second World War began can facilitate a clearer understanding of what happened to the Jewish People as a result. With the invasion of Poland, the most destructive war in the history of mankind commenced. How did the war begin? How was Poland conquered so easily? What was the immediate reaction of the Jews who were now in a war zone? What was the Soviet Union's involvement? And what was going on in the Far East at this time? A broader picture of all these issues will enhance our perception of war whose reverberations are felt to this very day.

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With the rise of political Zionism at the end of the 19th century, Rabbinical leaders began to formally organize around their positions visa vis the nascent movement. The founding of the Mizrachi was a major milestone in clarifying at least qualified support for the Zionist program. This begat a more organized and systematic opposition, which was formalized with the founding of the Agudas Yisroel some years later. The Agudah didn't speak with one voice and there was quite a range of rabbinical opinion within it's ranks as to the extent of ideological opposition to Zionism, as well as the practical measures to be taken as a result. In addition, there were quite a number of major Rabbinical leaders who never joined the Agudah altogether for a variety of reasons- some joined the Mizrachi, some were too Zionistic for the Agudah, others felt that the Agudah wasn't extreme enough. During the tumultuous interwar period, Rabbis across the spectrum formulated their respective positions in opposition, support or neutrality on the question of the new Jewish Nationalism- Zionism.

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As the Jewish community in far off Shanghai developed at the beginning of the 20th century, a Rabbi and Lubavitcher Chassid named R' Meir Ashkenazi was called on to serve as the communal Rabbi in 1926. Originally serving in the ultimate "out of town" community in a far flung corner of the world, he eventually found himself the leader of a diverse and large group of refugees who began arriving in the 1930's and '40's. Being the right man in the right place at the right time, he rose to the occasion. Addressing both the material and spiritual needs of the refugee community, he was able to sustain the Shanghai Jewry during those challenging times.

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The Satmar Rav, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum will long be remembered as a great Torah Sage, builder, dedicated leader and zealot who held steadfast to strong positions, no matter the opposition. In his efforts to rebuild the destroyed world after the war, he was a visionary who thought of big and creative solutions. As a fatherly figure, he built individuals, breathing a new life and purpose for countless survivors. He also built a large and powerful following, well known for its relentless chesed and strong opposition to the State of Israel.

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Famous for trailblazing a new analytical style of Talmudic Study at the Volozhin Yeshiva, RavChaim Soloveitchik's name is hallowed throughout the Torah world. As Rabbi of Brisk, he became known far and wide for his compassion for the downtrodden. In the public sphere, Reb Chaim became a spokesman of his people and took a stance on many issues facing the Jewish world of his day. In honor of his 101st Yahrtzeit, we'll take a glance Rav Chaim's leadership role in society.

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Chana Rachel Verbermacher, also known as the "Maiden of Ludmir", was an anomaly in the annals of Chassidus. As a woman, and as someone who didn't have any dynastic connections to the great Chassidic courts of her day, she still attained the status of a full fledged chassidic tzadik for a period of time. Does her story teach us about women's roles in the world of early chassidus? Or is she the exception that proves the rule? Along the way, we encounter other Rebbetzins in the history of chassidus who acted in leadership roles in the courts of their husbands or fathers.

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Another look at the formative Yeshiva years of Shlomo Carlebach, his relationship with Rav Ahron Kotler and the complexities of his leaving the Yeshiva world for his activist work on behalf of the Jewish People. The great "Singing Rabbi" never ceased to sing and never ceased to be a Rabbi. The transitional stage of his being identified with the yeshiva as one of it's prize students, to the public persona involved in Jewish outreach, is crucial to understanding his later approach and wide reaching influence.

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