Telshe Yeshiva: HaGevura Newsletter 2

Sivan 5781

Telshe Yeshiva: The Second Tekufa

1941-1955

1956-1964

1965-1980

• ‫ואמיץ לבו בגבורים‬

1981-2000

2001-Present

Building with strength THE NE X T CHAPTER

“Fire! Fire!” It would be among the most challenging

moments in the history of Torah education in America. A tragedy that shook the countercultural revolution which was spreading its wings and threatened to destroy all that it had accomplished.

In the second installment of our fivenewsletter series, this month sees us looking back at a period of magnificent growth despite devastating tragedy. As we approach the eighth-decade milestone of Telshe Yeshiva and continue our focused review of ‫גבורת רבותינו‬, this era’s theme of ‫ ואמיץ לבו בגבורים‬is most appropriate for that memorable decade.

The pages of this oral and written history can never do justice to the momentous weight of what transpired in Wickliffe, Ohio back in that bygone era. Yet the stories, highlights and memories we share will surely serve as inspiration and reminder of our responsibilities as friends and alumni of Telshe Yeshiva.

Join us for another journey through the mountains and valleys of quintessential Telshe - ‫גבורה‬.

Rav Aharon Kotler, and Rav Yitzchok Ruderman. Campus Chanukas Habayis 1957

Rav Mottel speaking with Avrohom Groner

This volume has been graciously sponsored by

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mandel

in recognition of the Eight decades of Harbotzas Torah of Telshe Yeshiva.

Would everything which had been built through years of sweat and tears go up in smoke?

Telshe Yeshiva 706 105th Street

From Strength Strength

to

We previously recounted the early years of Telshe in America under the guidance of the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Elya Meir Bloch, zt”l.

Together with his brother-in-law and partner, Rav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zt”l (son-in-law of Rav Yosef Leib Bloch, zt”l), they set out to rebuild a secure Torah foundation on unsteady American soil. After fourteen years at the helm, Rav Elya Meir completed his lofty ‫ תפקיד‬on this world, and on the 28th of Teves, 5715 (1955) returned his pure Neshama to his Creator.

Telshe faculty 1945

While Klal Yisrael at large and Yeshivas Telshe in particular mourned the passing of its fearless leader, the ship would not remain rudderless. To replace the irreplaceable, Rav Chaim Mordechai, affectionately referred to as Rav Mottel, exclusively assumed the role of Rosh HaYeshiva. It was the beginning of a new era, one that would eventually be marked by the greatest of challenges and persevering ‫גבורה‬.

But first, Telshe would see growth and prosperity. The Yeshiva, already numbering in the hundreds of Talmidim was outgrowing its quarters on 105th Street in Cleveland.

A beautifully written letter of Tanchumin from Rav Yitzchok Hutner encouraging Rav Mottel that he will be empowered to carry the Yeshiva further

Letters of Tanchumin from Rav Ahron Kotler and Yeshivas Ponevez

While leading any institution through such growth would require determination and steadfast stewardship, Rav Mottel’s heartbreaking life story makes these ambitious accomplishments even more astonishing. In addition to rebuilding his personal life, Rav Mottel made it his mission and responsibility to rebuild the Torah from der alter heim! This ‫ גבורה‬was being rewarded in the American Midwest as Telshe Yeshiva prospered.

Father. Mentor.

Role Model.

Rav Mottel was a keen Mechanech known for developing uniquely close and personal relationships with his Talmidim. From the onset, he integrated this warmth and ability to connect with students into the ethos of Telshe Yeshiva. Despite being foreign to America, both literally and figuratively, this masterful sense enabled him to bridge the gap between his students and the ways of the Telshe he remembered.

Talmidim would recount how he could swiftly scan the Beis Medrash to see who was absent, in the way a doting parent instinctively realizes when a child is missing from the family.

Rav Mottel, who had helped found the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and the Yavne School for Girls, not only inspired his Talmidim to grow in Torah learning but also implored them to do their part in rebuilding Yiddishkeit. In 1960, he sent the first group of Talmidim to Chicago to open a branch of Telshe. Talmidim fondly recall the dancing around the station wagon together with the Rosh HaYeshiva at the great simcha of establishment of a new makom Torah.

Many former Talmidim recount how Rav Mottel directed them toward a future for which they did not believe they were qualified, only to look back years later and fully appreciate his wisdom and foresight.

The following is among the recollections of a close talmid,

Rabbi Moshe Mendel Glustein, ‫שליט"א‬

who was sent by Rav Mottel to open a yeshiva in Montreal:

“Rav Mottel was an incredible Mechanech who brilliantly molded his Talmidim. Aside from serving as an example, Rav Mottel exposed Talmidim to matters pertaining to the Chinuch of the yeshiva as well as worldly matters.

As young teenage Bochurim, we were already given to understand the concepts of Achrayus, shouldering the burden of Am Yisroel, as well as the Torah perspectives on the challenges facing Klal Yisroel in the 40’s and 50’s.

"Rav Mottel was my Shadchan. He went so far as to visit my wife’s classroom before suggesting the match to be certain that she was right for me. When my family suffered the loss of a young child, Rav Mottel, with his wisdom knew how to comfort and console. Following the Shiva, Rav Mottel called me to his office and noted, “Rav Moshe Mendel, Ich zeh as s’iz dir bitter - I see it is hard for you. La’mer veinin tzuzamin - let us cry together. My Rebbe, who had lost a spouse and ten children in the war, found room in his ailing heart to feel my pain as his own.

Moshe Mendel Glustein as a bochur in Yeshiva

Telshe Yeshiva / Sivan 5781 | 3

Talmidim constantly turned to Rav Mottel for guidance and advice, wishing to benefit from his warmth and wisdom.

Rav Shmuel Kaufman, ‫זצ"ל‬ from the well-known Telshe Talmidim of that era, related at Rav Mottel’s 50th Yahrzeit Azkarah:

“Winter was coming to an end and I had done well on my oral farher. With only two days remaining, I was offered a job by Hersh Meyer Silberberg in his downtown Cleveland hotel.

The job would afford me the money to pay for my trip back home for Pesach. I approached the Rosh HaYeshiva and presented my plan.

Rav Mottel responded in his classic nigun, “In Mitten Zman!?” I continued on to Rav Gifter, hoping for better results. Rav Gifter and Rav Mottel suggested that I be compensated as a “Poel Batul” (a halachic term for the cost of hindering the ability of a worker to earn a wage). Needless to say, I never actually received any money. But I did come to appreciate the importance of seeing a Zman through until the very end.

“Whenever I would approach Rav Mottel for guidance, he was reluctant to respond immediately. He was wont to answer that this must be thought through carefully - “Mi’darf habin a yishuv hadaas.”

While at the time it seemed frustrating, this invaluable lesson remained with me for life.”

Shmuel Kaufman as a bochur in Yeshiva

4 | HaGevurah / The Second Tekufa 1956-1964

Rav Shlomo Mandel ‫ שליט"א‬speaks at Rav Mottel's 50'th Yahrzeit Azkarah in Telshe Yeshiva

Rav Shlomo Mandel, ‫שליט"א‬

Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Brooklyn and nephew of the Rosh Yeshiva recalls the following:

“Punctuality and seder meant the world to Rav Mottel, who was known to always arrive five minutes early. One wintertime Erev Shabbos, Rav Mottel asked me to come to his home and walk him to Yeshiva. “Halt meir un’it, ich zal nit glitchen” - hold onto me so that I should not fall, he said. In the end, it was I who fell and needed to be picked up.

The Rosh HaYeshiva was held up by the Torah, as Chazal state regarding the Aron Kodesh: "The Torah carries those who carry it.”

“Darchei Telshe” Treasured pictures of the campus from Telshe alumnus Frank Mandel

Restored

Prior to Rav Elya Meir’s passing, leadership at the thriving Yeshiva had initiated plans to transition from downtown Cleveland to a large tree-lined estate in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Rav Elya Meir did not live to witness the move, but his fellow visionary Rav Mottel merited to open the doors to this new center of Torah.

Beis Medrash mid construction

A layman of note, Mr. Herbert I. Spero of Cleveland made the relocation efforts of the Yeshiva his personal priority.

For an entire year, Mr. Spero left his business and devoted himself wholeheartedly to navigating the numerous hurdles involved. As a direct result of his efforts, Telshe Yeshiva completed the transition in 1957.

Rebbitzen B. Fried, the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Helfan recalls accompanying Rav Elya Meir and her father to visit the site. Rav Elya Meir entered what would soon be a Beis Medrash and saw Mr. Spero himself sawing boards of wood.

Mr. Spero turned to the Rosh HaYeshiva and exclaimed, “I can already hear the sounds of Torah reverberating in these walls.” Reb Elya Meir was noticeably moved by his passion.

Arial view of the Campus in 1957

1. The East House 2. The Green House 3. Beis Avner 4. Yeshiva Building 5. Mechina Building 6. The West House

Telshe Yeshiva / Sivan 5781 | 5

Administation building under construction

The beautiful, 57-acre suburban estate resembled a quaint farm-like shtetl of ‘the Lita’ for many. The campus was soon transformed to accommodate the needs of a growing yeshiva. An impressive building, featuring a dining room, offices and a gym was constructed anew, in addition to the two main Batei Medrash and various dormitory facilities.

The chanukas habayis ceremony of the new campus was held in full grandeur. Many leading Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva, as well as prestigious alumni from across the country and beyond were in attendance for the weekend of elevated festivities.

The Roshei Yeshiva purchased and developed this new Torah home with the purest of intentions: to build k'vod Shomayim in the derech they had seen in Telshe of old. Rav Shlomo Mandel recalls: “Following the completion of the new dormitory, Rav Mottel noticed a group of bochurim arriving late to seder. Rav Mottel, who had learned in Slobodka, told them the following. “Years ago, a bridge had been built between Slobodka and the City of Kovna. The Alter of Slobodka noticed Talmidim of the Yeshiva crossing the new bridge and venturing beyond the limits expected of them.

The Alter spoke up: “You are mistaken,” he said.

“The beautiful bridge was not built so that people should travel from Slobodka to Kovna, but rather so that they might travel from Kovna to Slobodka!”

Likewise, said Rav Mottel, our beautiful dorm was not built for our Talmidim to go from the Beis Medrash to the dorm, but that the Talmidim should go from the dorm, well-rested, to the Beis Medrash!”

Mechina building 1960's

6 | HaGevurah / The Second Tekufa 1956-1964

The Chanukas Habayis dinner. Seen: Rav Mottel, Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, Rav Yitzchok Ruderman and Mr. Irving Stone speaking

Rav Shlomo Davis, z”l, was personally invited by Reb Elya Meir to join Telshe Yeshiva as a student in 1941. Rabbi Davis, who had studied in Telshe Yeshiva in Lithuania soon joined the faculty as a Rebbe in the Mechina. Later, Rabbi Davis devoted himself to the dissemination of the Torah of the Roshei Yeshiva through his Alumni Bulletins. The bulletins kept the Talmidim connected as they included news about the Yeshiva and Mazel Tovs among the broad Alumni circles. Rabbi Davis’s lifelong commitment was a fundamental element in the Hatzlacha of the Harbotzas Torah of Telshe Yeshiva.

Rav Eliezer Levi with Rav Moshe Helfan

Rav Eliezer Levi zt"l was a talmid of Telshe Lithuania, and one of the first to be enrolled in Cleveland. For decades, Rav Levi served as a Rebbe, Rosh Mechina, and Baal Tefilah, and left a lasting impact on thousands of talmidei Telshe.

Rav Mottel Katz, Rav Boruch Sorotzkin and Rav Chaim Stein in Yeshiva

Eliezer Levi enrolled in 1941 roll book

We would be remiss if we did not mention the great mesirus nefesh and assiduous efforts of Rav Moshe Helfan, zt”l, the indefatigable executive who played an integral role in the rebuilding of Telshe and Torah in America.

“Pictured are boys walking to Levaya of the two Kedoshim, which Reb Mottel insisted be held in the Yeshiva.”

Without him, none of this would have been possible, and he surely merited a substantial share in this incredible zechus.

The sweet song of Torah rang throughout the beautiful campus and the fledgling Torah community was blossoming. The “Darchei Telz” of Lita had been restored in the vibrant Torah Shtetl in Wickliffe, Ohio. But before he could revel in the completion of his mission on this world, Rav Mottel would have one more task - one that would highlight the ‫גבורה‬ that marked his awe-inspiring life.

Rav Eliezer Levi surrounded by his beloved Talmidim on Purim

Telshe Yeshiva / Sivan 5781 | 7

“Who

?‫מי באש‬

by Fire?”

Jake Koval

Victor Sabo

“It was a frigid winter

“With no way out of

night, just a couple of

our dorm room, and

days after Chanukah.

access to both fire

We had all settled in

escapes blocked by the

for bed on the eve of

flames and smoke, my

January 1st, 1963,

roommate, Yosef Gross

when we suddenly

and I jumped below to

recalls:

relates

heard the fire alarm ringing. Upon

Victor Sabo and Avrohom Satz following the fire

safety. I was the last one to see our two other roommates, Jake Koval with Rav Yitzchok Notis

Yaakov Yosef Jundef and Shlomo Gluck a”h, who tragically

opening the door of

perished leaving behind devastated parents.”

my room, I was instantly engulfed in smoke. I recognized

News of the fire spread almost as quickly as those

the imminent danger, awoke my roommates, Tuvia Drew

terrifying flames. Worried parents descended upon the

and Joe Osina and we took off for the fire escape. Flames

yeshiva demanding that their children come home with

were billowing out of the building, and its collapse seemed

them. After fire marshals determined that the East House

imminent. Barefoot and in pajamas, dozens of boys

was unsafe as well, 140 boys were left with no places to

poured out into the cold Midwestern night, shaking from

sleep, and many of them had lost all of their possessions.

cold and terror."

At a lineup conducted a few hundred feet away, it quickly

The great burden of steering the Yeshiva through the uncertain future fell on the aging shoulders of Rav Mottel.

became apparent that the worst had indeed happened.

List of the Bochurim of the West House Dormitory, 1963

The West House dormitory

Rav Mottel, who had lost everything and painstakingly sowed the roots of the new yeshiva with such mesiras nefesh would not allow it all to come crashing down.

Rabbi Yecheskel Munk, shlit”a, longtime Rebbe in the Mechina, recalls:

Rabbi Yecheskel Munk 1963

“Rav Mottel called all of us Hanhala members together to discuss what steps the Yeshiva would take. Some suggested that the Yeshiva should send the Talmidim home for a break while we had a chance to regroup. Yet, Rav Mottel, was adamant: No one was going anywhere. Rav Mottel’s resolve and sheer Gevurah left no room for question. The Yeshiva was going to continue functioning without interruption, and indeed, so it was.”

Reportedly, Rav Mottel, who had experienced such tremendous loss in his life, commented after the fire that, “Ich veis nisht oib di tzorah is nisht gresser fun aleh andere tzaros – (I’m not sure if this tragedy is not greater than all the others that befell me).” But this was no time to wallow in sadness; Telshe needed their fearless leader to lead them through this difficult period.

Rav Mottel announced that everyone should remain in the Yeshiva, and that sleeping accommodations would be provided. Some students slept in the gymnasium, local enrollees were told to invite a friend home, and yeshiva faculty hosted as many students as they could until more permanent arrangements could be made. Torah life would live on.

It is remarkable to note that even during this period of strength, Rav Mottel still exhibited his signature warmth toward his students.

Baruch Plagman shares: “Three years prior to Rav Mottel’s petirah, I lost my father, a”h. While I heard only periodical Shiurei Daas and Shiurei Klali from the Rosh Yeshiva, his fatherly love made a great impact on me. On the weekend following the fire, Rav Mottel called me aside and sent me home to be with my widowed mother for Shabbos. When my mother called Rav Mottel intending for me to stay in New York to continue my studies there, the Rosh HaYeshiva was emphatic.

“Send him back! Send him back to the Yeshiva and I will take care of him,” he commanded. While there were no beds for most, Rav Mottel took special care of me arranging for me to sleep at the home of An exerpt from a Telshe Yeshiva Alumni Bulletin announcing the Rav Meir Zelig Mann.” petirah of Mr. Zvi Plagman

Temporary sleeping quarters in the gym

Victor Sabo remembers:

“We heard countless shmuesen encouraging us to continue learning and remain focused. Indeed, despite the tragedy and the general unrest, the mood of the Bochurim was positive, and the learning continued uninterrupted. We were all given to understand the mesirus nefesh expected of us for the sake of Torah.”

Bochurim lend a hand following the fire

Telshe Yeshiva / Sivan 5781 | 9

Treasured pictures from Frank Mandel's photo album

‫ובאש אתה‬ ‫עתיד לבנותה‬ Right after the heartbreaking funerals, Rav Mottel announced that he was launching a two-million dollar fund to rebuild stronger than before. This was a staggering sum at the time. Not long thereafter, construction began in earnest.

Sruly Braunstein remembers: “The campaign to rebuild the dorm was themed ‫ובאש אתה עתיד לבנותה‬, and indeed from amidst the fire we saw the Yeshiva rise to even greater heights.”

The Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Aharon Dovid Goldberg with Sruly Braunstein and Frank Mandel at the 1965 Graduating Class reunion in Brooklyn

10 | HaGevurah / The Second Tekufa 1956-1964

Rav Mottel lived to see the rebuilding of the dormitory and the groundbreaking of the new Beis Medrash before a heart attack took the heart and soul of Telshe from his beloved Talmidim.

Like Moshe Rabbeinu, whose duty matured at the threshold of entering Eretz Yisrael and who did not merit to escort Klal Yisrael into their eternal home, so too, Rav Mottel’s final act was to deliver his students to the doorstep of a new yeshiva Beis Medrash, of which he laid the cornerstone.

As we wrap our review of this remarkable life and his tenure as leader of Telshe during this eventful era, it is fitting to repeat this vort that Rav Mottel once shared:

Dovid HaMelech says in Tehillim:

,‫הפכת מספדי למחול לי פתחת שקי ותאזרני שמחה‬ .‫למען יזמרך כבוד ולא ידום ה' אלוקי לעולם אודך‬

Rav Mottel explained these words of Tehillim as follows:

‫הפכת מספדי למחול לי‬, Hashem, You have turned my mourning into dance - ‫ פתחת שקי ותאזרני שמחה‬- You have loosened my sack, and girded me simcha. All of this - ‫למען יזמרך כבוד ולא‬ ‫ידום‬, so that I might continue to sing Your praises and not be silent. However, continues Dovid HaMelech, in spite of what Hashem will send my way, and even in the most difficult of times, ‫ ה' אלוקי לעולם אודך‬- I will always praise You, regardless of whether things are going well or not.

Rav Mottel taught by example that our approach to avodas Hashem must not be hindered by the events surrounding us, but driven rather by a lifelong consistent response to the call of ‫ מה ה' אלוקיך שואל מעמך‬with utmost clarity and yishuv hadaas.

Putting aside his personal losses, Rav Mottel forged ahead in establishing the Yeshiva with unimaginable strength.

When tragedy struck once again, he found within his ailing heart the divine Gevurah to turn ‫ מספד‬into ‫מחול‬, resulting in a complete renewal of Torah. The simcha which permeated his being and which inspired his Talmidim was truly a manifestation of ‫ה' אלוקי לעולם אודך‬.

Telshe Yeshiva / Sivan 5781 | 11

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