The World of the Yeshivas

Yeshiva Torah Vodaath has had a tremendous influence on American Jewish life throughout the last century. Yehuda Geberer shares the fascinating story of both the dreams and challenges faced by the visionary founders of "America's Yeshiva".

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The History of Torah Vodaath Part I: Torah, Chassidim & Zionists

The years immediately preceding WWI were considered the glory days of Slabodka's long history. Let's meet the personalities and hear the stories of the period when the Alter of Slabodka had his greatest impact on the future of the Torah world.

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The Golden Age of Slabodka

The decision to travel across the world to a third-world country in order to study at a Yeshiva wasn't a simple one. In this podcast we'll profile several individuals such as R’ Avigdor Miller, R’ Gedalia Schorr, R’ Dovid Bender & Rabbi Harry Epstein who persevered and eventually made an indelible stamp on American Jewish life as a result.

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Yankees Abroad: Foreigners in the Great European Yeshivas Vol II

Antisemitism, Immigration & Jewish Athletes: How Current Events Became Lessons at the Mir Yeshiva

On his 54th Yahrtzeit, listen to Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky share two incredible stories about Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, the Mir Rosh Yeshiva who lost it all in Europe and rebuilt a vast empire of Torah in Eretz Yisroel, yet spent his life ensuring that there was room for all Jews inside the Koslei Bais Hamedrash.

To hear more from Rabbi Lopiansky, visit https://torahdownloads.com/s-3-rabbi-aaron-lopiansky.html

R' Aaron Lopiansky: The Greatness of R' Lazer Yudel Finkel

Famous for trailblazing a new analytical style of Talmudic Study at the Volozhin Yeshiva, R Chaim 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, R 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 R Chaim's leadership role in society.

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Voice of Clarity: A Tribute to Rav Chaim Brisker

Amos Ben-Gurion was the son of David & Paula Ben-Gurion. While serving in the Jewish Brigade in the British Army during World War II, he was wounded and wound up in a Liverpool hospital. While there, he was taken care of by a nurse named Mary Callow. They eventually decided to get married despite the fact that Mary was Christian. There thus followed a sage of the attempted conversion of Mary to enable her to become Mary Ben Gurion. The conversion was eventually done by a German born American Reform Rabbi named Joachim Prinz, known for his activism in the Civil Rights Movement.

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It's All in the Family: The Curious Case of Mary Ben-Gurion

One of the most unique educational methodologies of character perfection in recent history, was the Talmud Torah of Kelm. With it's emphasis on orderliness, clarity and an intense pursuit towards perfection, Kelm became a legend in its own time.
While it may be difficult to summarize the philosophy of Kelm, relating some anecdotes can be a fascinating journey into the inner world of Kelm.
These stories are interesting, some of them entertaining, and all of them offer penetrating insight into the lives of those who were part of the world of Kelm.
In honor of the yahrtzeit of one of the greatest products of the Kelm Yeshiva - Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1953) - here is a collection stories about this storied institution.

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Aristocrats of Mussar: Tales from Kelm Part I

As first generation Americans growing up in immigrant neighborhoods, some Jews turned towards organized crime and joined the Mob. While maintaining close ties to their families, communities and even Jewish tradition, they led lives that included bootlegging during Prohibition, gambling rackets, theft and even murder. Their lives were a paradox - criminals who were proud Jews.
This collection of stories is about heroes and villains. It will bring us to the World Series, alcohol smuggling, the streets of Brooklyn and Sing Sing Prison. We'll meet Arnold Rothstein - the architect of modern organized crime, Mayer Lansky - the brains and one of the big bosses of the Mafia, Abe Reles - one of the contract killers of Murder Inc. and many more.

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Tales of the Jewish Mafia Part I: "Ain’t Gonna Kill On Saturday"

In honor of the yahrtzeit of the Mussar Movement's founder Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (1809-1883), an interesting characteristic stands out about him and many of his followers- they were travelers. Both he and some of his greatest students, spent a large portion of their lives traversing the length and breadth of Europe and even beyond, some making it to Israel. Some moved by choice, and others as a result of circumstance. But the journeys produced an excitement and a story.
Where did they go? Why were they constantly on the move? What does it tell us about the Mussar Movement? As we follow them on their journey, we'll observe their exploits, challenges and achievements.

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Mussar Movements: The Sojourns of Rav Yisroel Salanter and the Mussar Greats

With seemingly endless energy, few have matched the communal activism of Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz (1891-1964). From his days in Slabodka, to a young Rabbi in Rakov and then Tiktin, his activities were never limited in scope. He became the fundraiser and president of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland and managed to find time to assist refugees from the Soviet Union, participate in the activities of Agudas Yisroel, and also assist Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski on the Vaad Hayeshivas.

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A Prince Among Men: The Storied Life of Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz Part I

With the arrival of the war, Rav Kalmanowitz was dispatched to the United States in an attempt to raise funds for the Mir Yeshiva who were now refugees in Lithuania, having escaped from Soviet occupied Eastern Poland. This evolved into an attempt to assist other Yeshivas and their Rabbis, and later on in the war extended to overall rescue activities within the framework of Vaad Hatzalah. A dynamic rescue activist, he spearheaded many of the rescue activities during those trying times.
Following the rebuilding of the Mir in the US after the war, he then turned to a new phase of activism - both physical and spiritual - within the Sfardic communities in Morocco, Syria & Egypt.

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To Save A World: The Storied Life of Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz Part II

The 2nd Installment of the BMOL Chinuch Series featuring Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Judaic Studies Principal at SKA High School for Girls. 

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Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky: Do I Even Stand A Chance? Practical Advice for Raising Teenagers in 2020

Visiting and praying at the burial places of Tzadikim is one of the more visible and recognizable distinctive contributions of Chasidic practice on Jewish life. A cultural practice that has developed over the history of the movement, it is seen as a way to connect as well as an opportunity for prayer.
One of the more famous destinations has been to grave site of the Rebbe Reb Meilach, the Noam Elimelech of Lizhensk (1717-1787). Glorified as second to the Baal Shem Tov himself, his influence on the movement is almost unparalleled. Following his death, his students began the custom of paying respects at his grave on the yahrtzeit of his death on 21 Adar. This has remained a popular visit till this very day.

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Lively Graves: Pilgrimages to Lizhensk & Kivrei Tzadikim

With the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the 15th Century, the Sefardic diaspora spread to the far corners of the globe searching for a place to settle. Many reached the New World during the Age of Discovery, and they played important roles in both the exploration itself as well as settlement. Jews, either hidden or openly Jewish, became merchants and were active in trade. There were even all Jewish colonies such as the one in Suriname.
In the 17th century, Jews found another vocation- piracy. Joining forces with Muslims in the Mediterranean and with the Dutch and British in Caribbean, Jews sought revenge against the Spanish Empire. Some became prominent and successful pirates. Jamaica became one of the earliest British possessions in the new world thanks to the Jews. And the island became a center for Jewish merchants as well as pirates.

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Ahoy Yid! Stories of Jewish Pirates and Explorers

As of June 2020, Jewish History Soundbites has moved to https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/
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The History of Torah Vodaath Part I: Torah, Chassidim & Zionists

Jewish History Soundbites With Yehuda Geberer

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