Ostreicher’s lawyer, Jimmy Montano, said that the former top legal adviser in the Bolivian Interior Ministry and the highest government official jailed in the case, Fernando Rivera, apologized in court last month and said he was following the orders of Sacha Llorenti, who was then minister of the presidency and currently Bolivia’s ambassador to the United Nations.
On May 20, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, participated in a congressional hearing that examined the issue of Yanky Ostreicher’s illegal detention.
Nadler has written letters calling for U.S. intervention in the case and demanding that Bolivian authorities grant basic rights under their own country’s laws to Ostreicher. The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held the hearing.
Another person now taking an active role in this case is actor Sean Penn, who recently spoke on behalf of Ostreicher in an appearance before a congressional panel. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairman of the House of Representatives panel that oversees international human rights, heard testimony on this issue. Penn was first introduced to the case in part by fellow actor Mark Wahlberg. Ostreicher’s wife, Miriam, said the Aleph Institute brought the case to Wahlberg. Penn has met with Ostreicher in Bolivia and has attended several court proceedings in a show of support.
Passing Of Rebbetzin Ettil Soloveitchik
Rebbetzin Ettil Soloveitchik, a”h, recently passed away at the age of 90. She was the wife of Rav Berel Soloveitchik, zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Brisk and son of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik. Rav Berel was niftar in 1981.
The rebbetzin’s father was Rav Yitzchok Weinstein. Her son, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, now heads the illustrious Brisk Yeshiva in Yerushalayim.
Many women sought the rebbetzin’s advice. She guided thousands of women who were inspired by the purity of the previous generation that she represented so well in her daily conduct and interactions.
Rebbetzin Soloveitchik is survived by her children: Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, Rav Moshele Soloveitchik, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, Rav Leibel Soloveitchik and Rav Refoel Soloveitchik.
