May 20, 2004
Devotion to Torah Study Unites Synagogues in Great Neck
The unifying power of Torah study was demonstrated on May 2nd when three synagogues in Great Neck, New York, held a joint breakfast reception honoring their rabbis and Talmud teachers. Hosted by the Young Israel of Great Neck, the event was sponsored by the Mesorah Heritage Foundation in cooperation with the Young Israel, Great Neck Synagogue and Chabad of Great Neck. The foundation is the non-profit organization that enables the publication of the numerous Judaica translations and elucidations, most notably the Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, known to many as the “ArtScroll Gemara.”
Moshe Talansky, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Governors, told the capacity crowd that the upcoming completion of the Schottenstein English Edition of the Talmud is being preceded by a “Year of Learning and Celebration” nationwide. During this time, the foundation is encouraging congregations to highlight the eternal bond of the Jewish people with Torah study by paying homage to those who exemplify that ideal. Mr. Talansky co-chairs of the Year of Learning & Celebration committee with Andrew J. Neff, senior managing director at Bear Stearns.
Standing, left to right: Dr. Martin Ehrenberg, a recipient of the Mesorah Heritage
Foundation’s Appreciation Award; |
A senior editor of the Schottenstein Talmud, Rabbi Nesanel Kasnett, next took the audience “behind the scenes,” describing the process of creating this unique translation and elucidation of the Talmud. After he outlined the erudite reasoning that goes into every phrase, it seemed a miracle that the dozens of scholars, editors and graphic designers who produce the 73-volume Schottenstein Talmud could do so in only fifteen years. Rabbi Kasnett attested that a new volume is published at the astonishing rate of one every nine weeks. Completion is scheduled for March 2005.
His presentation was followed by Rabbi Nosson Scherman, general editor of ArtScroll, who elaborated on the role of the Mesorah Heritage Foundation as the financial backbone of this historic endeavor.
“ We are asked, ‘Why do you need a non-profit foundation? Doesn’t ArtScroll make a profit from book sales?’” he began. He went on to explain how the elaborate research, writing and production costs of ArtScroll Judaica require far more funding than book sales can provide. “Like any university press or cultural institution such as a museum or symphony orchestra, we can’t expect consumers to be able to fully support this undertaking. Contributors who value and appreciate our work sponsor our efforts. Simply put — without them, ArtScroll Judaica would have stopped publishing long ago.”
Rabbi Scherman noted that a number of philanthropists who had contributed significantly to the Mesorah Heritage Foundation are members of the Great Neck synagogues participating in this community event. Appreciation Awards from the Foundation were presented to Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Anfang, Dr. and Mrs. Martin Ehrenberg, Dr. and Mrs. Edward Jutkowitz, and Mr. and Mrs. Steven Zuckerman. Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Talansky received a special award for their contribution and ongoing leadership in the Foundation.
Throughout the program, the focus remained steadily on the theme of Torah study as the lifeline of the Jewish people. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, chairman of the Foundation, presented awards to the rabbis and Torah teachers selected from each congregation, noting that “Through these dedicated teachers, Torah study and mitzvah observance in this community have grown beyond the wildest dreams of its founders.”
Awardees from the Young Israel of Great Neck were: Rabbis Yaacov Lerner and Eric Goldstein, Dr. Leeber Cohen and Professor Lawrence Schiffman. Awardees from Great Neck Synagogue were: Rabbis Dale Polakoff, Shalom Axelrod, Yoel Aryeah, and Yossi Singer. Awardees from Chabad of Great Neck were RabbisYonason Biggs and Yoseph Geisinsky. Rabbi Dale Polakoff made an eloquent presentation of a posthumous award to the beloved late Rabbi Ephraim R. Wolf, who had preceded him as spiritual leader of Great Neck Synagogue. The award was accepted by Mrs. Elaine Wolf.
A moving address on behalf of all the awardees was given by Rabbi Eric Goldestein. He asserted that much of the Talmud study in Great Neck, as well as in communities throughout the world, has been made possible by the outstanding English Edition of the Schottenstein Talmud. His sentiments were repeated and enhanced by Rabbi Yaakov Lerner in his closing comments. In effect, their message was a heartfelt thank you to the Mesorah Heritage Foundation for its unique role in bringing Torah study to hundreds of thousands of Jews over the past quarter century.