‘My Rebbetzin’
I first met Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, a”h, in November 1979 when she came to London for a family wedding. The chief rabbi at that time, Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, z”l, invited her to speak at St. John’s Wood Shul and that was the meeting that changed my life.
I had been finding it very difficult to overcome the loss of my mother, a”h, four years earlier. It was Rebbetzin Jungreis who helped me through that difficult time. She re-ignited my neshamah and gave meaning to my life once again.
She became my spiritual mother, always ready to help me. We spoke regularly over the years, usually every other week. She showered me with love and many berachas.
We always remembered each other’s birthdays and family yahrzeits.
She asked me to be her representative here in the UK and so I founded Hineni London, selling her tapes, promoting her books, and helping to arrange engagements for her here.
I always had the honor of escorting the Rebbetzin up to the stage and introducing her to audiences.
I saw with my own eyes at many events both in London and New York the effect her speeches had on so many young people who were not observant – who did not know how to daven or what to say when given a siddur or sefer Tehillim. The Rebbetzin never looked down on anyone but instead lifted individuals spiritually and made them smile. Very often I saw them reduced to tears and touched by the warmth and kindness of the Rebbetzin.
She was a trailblazer – a unique and wonderful person who meant so much to so many people all over the world.
I thank Hashem for bringing Rebbetzin Jungreis into my life. I know she will have a special place in the Olam Ha’Emes for all the mitzvahs she performed in her lifetime.
She always told me that I was part of her, as she was part of me.
The pain I feel in my heart is that I will miss all the berachas she gave me – especially now before Rosh Hashanah – which were always very special.
I loved her and I will miss her for the rest of my life.
My rebbetzin. My friend. My mentor. My everything.
May her neshamah have an aliyah. I know she will do so much from the Olam Ha’Emes for her family and for all those she touched in her lifetime.
Frances Jay
London, UK
Albany Fair Article Way Too Negative
The tone of the article “Questions Surround New Kosher Food Booth at New York State Fair” (Sept. 2) was way too negative. Two wise sayings, one of American provenance, the other Talmudic, suggest why: “The perfect is the enemy of the good” and “Kol hatechilos kashot (All beginnings are difficult).”
After all previous attempts failed, having such a kosher facility at the Albany Fair was a significant accomplishment. It is intended to serve the vast majority of fairgoers likely to be seeking kosher provisions. Quibbling about its first-time location, the variety of offerings, or vendor selection process, is tomorrow’s task, not today’s.
Such a booth can only exist if profitable. Those who may have been offended at the lack of chalav Yisrael or who stayed away due to its unavailability should let organizers know. If there is indeed such a sizeable group, there is a good chance they can be accommodated.
Potential vendors in the past had repeatedly declined the opportunity to operate such a booth. That so many are now apparently interested in doing so is all to the good. While it’s always possible to do better, compliments rather than carping are far more due this time.
Richard D. Wilkins
Syracuse, NY
No ‘Pivot’ Here
Re “Grass Roots Supporters Seek to Boost Trump’s Popularity With Jewish Voters” (front page news story, Sept. 2):
I know many Jews who are leaning toward supporting Donald Trump were hoping he would soften his stance or at least his tone on illegal immigrants. People like former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani kept telling us he would. But as we saw last week, after a brief pivot to a more moderate-sounding position, he reverted to his red-meat approach as soon as he was in a hall full of his devoted fans.
Some pundits speculated this was merely a performance on Trump’s part because he feared losing some of his base if he were perceived to be backing down even a little on illegal immigration. But I fear the “red meat” Trump is the real Trump. My hunch is that Trump has no worries about his base leaving him due to any change on this or any other issue. For in Trump’s own words a number of months ago, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”
You can’t make these things up.
Alan Howard
Brooklyn, NY
Haredim And The IDF
Re “An Auspicious Haredi Generation Gap” (op-ed. Aug. 5):
The good news is that Israel’s haredim in growing numbers are fitting into the workplace and the army. It is particularly pleasing to find that more and more of them are either serving in the army or want to do so. They will add an intensified Jewish spirit to the IDF that will eventually permeate through to the general population.
The only problem may be that some officers will find it difficult if not impossible to properly understand the needs of these soldiers. Perhaps secular officers will need special courses to acquire the psychological insight needed to mold – with patience and understanding – haredim into the best soldiers they can be.
The army has successfully faced lesser challenges. Meeting this one would go a long way toward making Israel a truly integrated country.
Toby Willig
Jerusalem