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The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, May 17,1984 - Page 11
Obioioii
RaM^Grauba^
By
J.B.SALSBERG
When Rabbi Yehuda Leib Gratibart, the father of the late Rabbi David Graubart, who passed away m Okicago recently, came to Toronto in 1920 to assume the spiritual leadership of the considerable (but fractious) Polish Jewish community here he was already an established world figure in traditional Jewish scholarship, in the field of Jewish edur cation and m the area of religious Zionism (Mizrachi).
In the manner of times past, the senior Rabbi Graubart was known as "der Stashover rav" (the rabbi of Stashov) but, with due respect to the now destroyed Jewish community of that town in Poland, It was not Stashov that bolstered Rabbi (jraubart's fame, ratiier his name and reputation added honor to Stashov, That name, der Stashover rav, remained the designation of Rabbi Y. L. Graubart (despite his long residence in Toronto) in the entire Ashkenazic religious world.
Little wonder that the late reb Itche Meyer Korolnek, himself a native of Stashov and the most dynamic figure in the ranks of Polish Jews m Canada, led the enthusiastic iand mounting chorus of those who were determined to bring the Stash-
J.B.Salsberg
over rav to Toronto. Nor is it surprising that the erudite Rabbi NachmanShemeh (the present director of the Orthodox Division of CJC in Ontario), though ordained prior to coming to Canada, \ proudly proclaims himself as a * 'pupil" and devoted friendof his master, the Stashover rav.
What can also be added is that Sfaemen was the confidant of the Stashover rav during his life in Toronto and it was the same Nachman Shemen who was the one that the family of the late Rabbi David Graubart communicated with to invite him to attend the funeral of his master's son and his own lifelong friend.
All oldtimers were aware of it and it may be esisential and certainly helpfiil for the younger generation to also become acquainted with an extremely meaningful period of the Stashover rav's life.
It happened during Worid War L The anti-semitlc czarist re^bncl Jq^wqaite that it coold not count on willing sappovt from the Jews and the peopl^ of the occupied and oppressed nations In Its brutal grasp. To pjrevent any collaboration with the: lialser*s German anhies, tiie czar*s agents forcibly removed the most prominent members of its oppressed minorities and tooli them as hostages to Moscow [or St. Petersburg] where they were kept as security^ainst Ae **misbehavi(Mr** of the minority peoples. Sabbi Yehuda Leib Graubairt, was one sudi hostage fw duee years, until the outbreak of the Russian revolution.
But so well known was Graubart that Rabbi Jacob Mazeh, the then Chief Rabbi of Moscow, drew Graubart to his side'and the
renowned rabbinic hostage from Poland became involved in all areas of traditional Jewish life during the last daiys of czarist rule and during the first period of Bolshevik rule. It is amazing to note (in Gratibart's own mehloirs) how many educational institutions he helped establish in those stormy years and to come across a detailed listing of funds he helped raise for each of those institutions.
It was Gr^bart who accompanied Nf azeh in the delegation that met with Dia-mandshtein, the first head of the 'Tevsektzyeh*- (Jewish section of the Communist Pf^ of the Soviet Union), arguing against the regulations that forbade the study of Hebrew in the official Jewish schools. Diamandshtein, who was later liquidated on charges of Jewish "chauvmism" explained why that regulation would stand and assured the deputation that Yiddish would continue to be taught. Alas, not only Hebrew but Yiddish, tod, was ultimately suppressed.
Many years later I caihe to Moscow on my second visit to that city in search of an explanation for the disappearance of practically all Jewish institutions and publications, I was an official guest of the Soviet Communist Party in view of my political standing in Canada. All my interviews and visits were, therefore, officially arranged. One of the persons I wished to meet was the late Rabbi Schliffer, the official rabbi of Moscow. My hosts agreed and the meeting, in the Moscow synagogue, was arranged •
Rabbi Schliffer, whose positive role, in the drcumstaiices of the Soviet Union was not
sufficiently appreciated by some leading people in the West, impressed me with his-wisjdom. He had evidentiy been properly briefed about me and, though in^^the presence of a third party, we managed t^ communicate very well, I assure you.
When I mentioned Toronto, he became most interested in the Graubart family. He had worked with Rabbi Y.L. during the latter's enforced wartime stint in Moscow.
I shared aU my knowleclge of the Graubart family and told him of my mother's activities hi the Eitz Chabn schools and her dedication to tfie yeshiva that bears the name of Rabbi Graubart.
Schliffer was pleased with my Information and he volunteered the news [it was the first semi-official announcement] of the impending establishment of a yeshlva In Moscow.
I then said to him r*^y mother is a very wise woman and when I inform her of the yeshiva she will surely ask where— in the absence of elementary and secondary Jewish educational institutions — will you find students for the yeshiva?" Rabbi Schliffer smiled with delight and replied: "Tell your mother that there will be suitable ' students for the yeshiva, and also tell the members of die Graubart famUy."
An odd world: Rabbi Graubart talked about in Nfoscow, where his name and reputationhad remained through the years. Odd also that I recall that experience in praise of the late Rabbi David Crraubart, who was a proud son of his revered father and, in his own right, an unusual figure in the evolutionary process of religious Jewry. May he rest in peace.
LETTERS T
THE EDITOR
Letters are welcome If they are In English, no more than 250 words, typewritten with lines double spaced, and of interest to our reading public. Readers are cautlmied not to make sweeping claims against persons or institutions which they cannot veilfy, as libel laws are very stringent. We reserve the right to edit letters.
YEIXED "FIRE!" IN AIBERTA Congratulations to Alberta education minister David King for revoking the teaching certificate of that bigot, Jim Keegstra (CJN, April 19).
In the same way that freedom of speecte does not allow a man to yell * 'Fire I" in a crowded theatre, so the freedom of speech principle should not allow a man to disseminate anti-semitic theories in a public school.
J.S.Zarek ^ Toronto
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ETHIGSINGULFWAR
It is good to hear that the conventional wisdorri among Israeli politicians on the Iran-Iraq war is now being challenged by the likes of Abba Eban and Mark Heller April 26,
"Israel keeps wary on Gulf War").
the idea that such a murderous war can be in the interests of the people of Israel is an ethical anathema which flies iii the face of any Jewish concern with social justice.
It is not in our interest to have large numbers of people die for the sake of a virulent nationalism used to pM>p up repressive leaders. Just beiiauise two enemy states of Israel are fighting does not mean we must support the continuation of the mutual slaughter wliidi defines diat war.
On the contrary, we should advocate a speedy end to the war and continue to w'ork for the relaxation of tensions in the Middle East, this being a necessary condition to the furtherance of peace. That may seem like a platitude, but in the case of the Gulf War, this point of view is contentious vis-a-vis Israeli politics.
ShloimePerel Afontreal
RED HOT MAMA TUCKER
You published a photo not long ago of Fanny Brice and a reader's claim that Fanny was die first Jewish lady of vaudeville on Broadway.
Wrong. The first was Sophie Tucker, the ^'last of Oie red hot mamas." In 1915, she was topping the bill at the Pahice thea^, belting out My Yiddish Momma and Some'Of These Days.
She was a great lady, too. Before she died in 1966, Sophie (bom Kalish in Russia), had distributed millions of dollars to Jewish charities via her Sophie Tucker Foundation.
SopUe Tucker In eye-catching hat.
Let's salute the first and last of the red hot mamas.
IsaacCohen Toronto
Editor's note: Glad to — we hope you like the accompanying rare early photo of her.
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FLORIDA FAKE? FEHI
Please pass along my friendly objection to J. B. Salsberg's column a while ago on Florida lifebeing "artificial and unnatural."
In a few words, my response is: Feb I Nit shaini
Tell me, Colleague Salsberg, is it so unnatural to flee the desperate, life-endangering conditions of New York, or Detroit, or eVen the safer cities of Canada, where older people dread to tread after dark? Sollubltsch Montreal
''■.)*'■'■*'* MCARAGUA ANTI-SEMITIC?
Yoiir April 5 headline, Nicaragua denies charges by ADL,'* reflects a normal and expected response from a government whose anti-semitic actions were exposed to public view in the world press by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.
What is surprising, and also disturbing, is the £ittempted denial of Sandinist anti-semitism by an official of the American
Jewish Committer, Rabbi Marc Tanenbauni.
Tanenbaum, according to Sheldon Kirsh-ner's article, admits that the "Sandinista guerrillas did commit anti-semitic acts," but excuses them as "a fiihction of their acquired anti-Zionism."
This exercise in language is meaningless to Nicaraguan Jews who have personally experienced and suffered the consequences of Sandinist anti-semitism.
Isaac Stavisky, a memlier of the Nicaraguan Jewish community in exile, offered direct testimony about Sandinist anti-semlt-ism at a White House briefing hi July ,1983.
He told about nocturnal phone calls, during an 18-month period prior to July. 1979, threatening hislife and that of his partner.
Graffiti on his factories* walls declared, "Death to the Jews; Isaac will be killed. Beware of Sandinistas justice.'*
Stavisky, who said that "dry runs of abduction attempts were made,^* described the fire-bombing of the synagogue by Sandinistas as "a strong message to the entire Jewish community" which sent feai through the hearts of Nicaraguan Jews.
Jacob© Timemijan has commented upon the tendency of Jews"to leave one hour after Auschwitz." The Nicaraguan Jews, historically attuned, did not fit that pattern. ' * The Sandinistas threatened to take - our property," said Stavisky, "and they did. They threatened to take our liyes and for that reason we left." ^^^^^^
Anti-De&mation ieag;iie New York
MITZVAH MOBILES AID KTOS
Thank you for Frank Rasky's March 22 article headed, "Mitzvah Mobiles keep kids happy." ■
What a marvelous idea for a giftl I'm always trying to think of an original present for a newborn or child's birthday. Mitzvah Mobiles seem like the perfect gift to please
. . attractive, educational, colorful and Jewish!
As a registered nurse who has worked in pediatrics, I can't stress enough the importance of early sensory stimulation and it's importance on future growth and development.
RitaRabocz Toronto
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FEMINISM AND RABBIS
In the spirit of Rabbi's Burak's column of March 22 on disagreeing gracefully, I would like to comment on the continuing controversy surrounding the ordination of women.
As much as I enjoy Rabbi's Bujak's^sharp comments on halacha, often leavened with wit and humor, his arguments against the ordination of women leave me cold. Jewish
history is filled with instances of religious disagreements, each side justifying its stand by its interpretation ofTorah.
A more teOfaig case agafaist ordination of women can sometimes be found In the women themselves, hn a talk given by Rabbi Efyse Goldstein, reported In the March 22 CJN, she said: "Our image of God Is shaped by our image of the rabbi asmale... the paternal, older, father figure ... I Imye yet to hear of queen, mother^ nurturer, supporter, lover.... When we speak of God only hi the masculine terms, we loss the feeling that there is a reality which is both male and female."
If Rabbi Goldstein really believes what she says, she should not be a rabbi. We speak of God in the masculine because that is the language of religion, which as anyone knows, transcends gender.
Only someone blinded by trendy feminist ideology could think toquestion this hallowed tradition.
Her use of the words, "nurturer, supporter, lover, "which are offered up by feminists who want to put down men,' reveal that she has been infected by this misguided phenomenon.
It is obvious that these women have more Interest in feminism than they do in being servants ofthefar respective reUgions.
I must point out, however, that Rabbi Burak-s insights into Torah can be used against him. For, is it not possible that, just as the grandchildren of those who disagree with him may one day learn Torah in yeshivas, his own grandchildren, or theirs, will one day be women rabbis? Let us hope that by then they will have their priorities straightened out.
Jo Ann Gardner Cape Breton, NS ■'. *■ ,'*■■ ♦ BRIDEGROOMS AND RABBIS
Rabbi M. Burak's March 29 column explaining why some bridegrooms give halachic discourses was indeed "at its simplest level."
The previous Lubaviteh Rebbe prior to the recital of the ma'mar [discourse] said, "It Is well known tliat the ancestors of the newly-wed couple descend from the worid of truth and attend the marriage celebration.
"The s«iuls of the ancestors bom three generations back attend all Jewish wedding -and there are some weddings at which those of even further removed generations are present. .. ',. ■
"In the way of an invitation to the souls of the tzaddikim, our holy fathers and rebbeim who will come to the wedding and bless the couple, we will now say a chassidic discourse."
Rabbi CBulua Montreal