Ha Rav Aharon Kotler (1891-1962)
from wikipedia
On this day, the second of Kislev in 1962/5722, the Hesped of rosh yeshivas Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewoood, Rav Aharon Kotler was held at the Pike Street Synagogue in lower Manhattan. Tens of thousands of mourners packed the Synagogue and the adjoining streets.
On this day in 1980/5740 my mother Nahama Hadassah bas Ha Rav Moshe Kalonymus Skinder passed away.
My grandfather Rav Moshe Kalonymus Skinder Z"L
Graduate Yeshiva of Lutsk, Rabbi in four countries,
Knew Torah b'al peh. (Died on the 15th of Mar Cheshvan)
Her dad, my grandfather, was Rav at the well known Pike Street Synagogue in the lower East Side of Manhattan from 1922 until 1947. He resigned his post and emigrated to Palestine to build housing in Cholon for Jews settling in Palestine from the European DP camps. His development is known as Givat Cholon.
The Pike Street Synagogue, also known as the Sons of Israel Kalwarie
His synagogue was one of the 7 Great Synagogues in lower Manhattan. On January 10, 1913, a crowd of 5,000 people jammed the Synagogue to hear the first of many lectures delivered by the noted Rabbi Judah L. Magnes.
The Interior of the Pike Street Synagogue
Rabbi Magnes had resigned his post at Temple Emanu-El. and embraced a more traditional approach and practice of Judaism.
Rabbi Judah Leon Magnes, (1877-1948)
First Chancellor (1925) and
President of the Hebrew University (1935-1948)
President of the Hebrew University (1935-1948)
Photo courtesy of wikimedia
The reason for the near riot that occurred that night was the announcement of the birth of the Young Israel Movement. A formidable speaker, he aroused his largely unobservant audience to observe the sabbath and kashruth by making the Synagogue a hub of fun social activities buttressed by traditional weekday and sabbath prayer.
The building of the the Pike Street Synagogue in 1903, also known as the Sons Of Israel Kalwarie, occurred at a time when there were in excess of 350 Shuls serving lower Manhattan--based on an actual count. .
It has been estimated that between 1880 and 1915 as many as 500 "Jewish houses of worship" were founded in the Lower East Side. (The Synagogues of New York's Lower East Side , p.31)
In summary, the second day of Kislev reverberates strongly for me and is a inspiration to continue to add to the unstinting and tireless contributions of our generational greats, Judaic forefathers and fore mothers as well.
My mom (1910-1980) exuding pride standing next to me
Let it be remembered that my mom was an inspirational teacher of Torah and Tehillim at our local Synagogue in Mt. Vernon, NY, Emanu-El Jewish Center, and served as PTA President of the Ramaz School. Here at Ramaz, she was inspired by its founder Rabbi Joseph Lookstein and was herself a firebrand in inspiring many Ramaz parents (including my dad who taught the ABC's of Sexuality for many years) to actively participate in school activities as well as in their education of their own children. Thank you, mom, for igniting the spark of seeking out the Ways of Torah and simultaneously instill a love of poetry, especially in its unique role in connecting us to a higher source.
