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A number of my congregants were followers of the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum. They didn’t necessarily subscribe to his views on modernity or the state of Israel, but because of their family traditions and prewar connections, they remained respectful of and helpful to him.
One of these congregants lived in a waterfront mansion within walking distance of my synagogue. When the Rebbe came to Miami Beach for two months during the winter, the mansion was turned over to him for his exclusive use. Hundreds of the Rebbe’s followers accompanied him on this sojourn, and many found accommodations in my neighborhood.
For some reason, the Rebbe really took a liking to me. His followers couldn’t fathom what he saw in an unbearded young American rabbi of a fairly modern congregation. But if the Rebbe liked and accepted me, they had to as well.
Actually, the Rebbe did me a great favor immediately upon arrival in Miami Beach. When we constructed our new synagogue, I insisted that a mikveh be included on the premises. With the help of several well-known rabbinical experts, the facility was built and functioned well. All fees generated by the synagogue’s mikveh were turned over to the community mikveh, in South Beach. Nevertheless, some questioned the validity of the structure and asked pointedly, “Who is Wein to build a mikveh?”
The entire matter was laid to rest when the Satmar Rebbe came to town and immersed daily in the synagogue mikveh. He later complimented me on its splendid construction, both halachically and physically.
Naturally, I paid a formal visit to Rabbi Teitelbaum. I was pleasantly surprised when he visited my home in return. We had long talks about Torah, the rabbinate, and Jewish life, though I studiously avoided talking to him about Israel.
The Rebbe looked out for the economic and social welfare of his people. He told me Satmar’s foray into the kosher food industry was fueled not so much by higher standards as by the necessity to strengthen the community financially. He demanded that those who were not of a scholarly bent earn a living. He established a network of institutions of self-help, charity, and kindness – and all Jews were precious in his eyes. Satmar helped any Jew in need.
My wife was very friendly with the wives of both the Ponivezher Rav and Rabbi Teitelbaum; she often helped organize women’s teas for them, as well as taking them shopping and to other “women’s activities.”
The Miami Beach experience was a wondrous one for the Wein family.
This essay is adapted from “Teach Them Diligently: The Personal Story of a Community Rabbi,” just published by Maggid Books (www.korenpub.com).
