Like father, like son A night to remember by R.K. Grossblatt take the liberty of apersonal inter- Ben Rabinowitz's unscheduled pretation-How good are your speech "Dor v'Dor" (from genera- If you were there, you would homes Beth Jacob; but we leave for tion to generation) spoke of fathers Israel which is better." and sons also-a personal message have known that Sunday evening, Jan. 6 at Congregation Beth Jacob After an inspiring d'var Torah by of pride to his son Irvin, grandson was a night to remember. More his son, Rabbi Emanuel Feldman of staunch Zionists. He spoke about than just another synagogue instal- praised Beth Jacob members for survivors: the Ethiopians being air- leading the country in aliyah, at- lifted to Israel, and those Soviet lation, the event was filled with tending traditional services each Jews who have also survived; but warmth and humor, pride and hu- mility. Almost 300 Beth Jacob mem- week in great numbers without he grieved for all Jewish non-survi- bers, distinguished community compromises or gimmicks, and vors. leaders and friends from other syn- having the foresight to push for the "My son is a survivor," he stated agogues and temples came to bid èstablishment of the Hebrew Aca- gratefully, as he embraced him. farewell to Dr. Michael Feiner- demy, Yeshiva High School, and The evening closed with awards: man, outgoing president, and to now, the new Torah Day School. Man of the Year to Feinerman and "There's a time to be modest and a Woman of the Year to Harriet Cor- honor Ben and Sonia Rabinowitz and their son Irvin who, like his time not to be modest," the rabbi tell, co-chairman of the Beth Jacob father before him, was accepting said, "and this is not the time to be Chesed Network, a völunteer ser- the presidency of Beth Jacob. modest." vice organization founded in mem- "Ladies and gentlemen, I give Then he delivered an additional ory of Linda Gross, z'l. you the president," said Ben humor- message of pride for all Jews. "Every A busy wife and mother who has ously and with pride as he presented person is a creature of G-d," he spent countless hours this year visit- the gavel to his son. professed, "but as Jews we're more ing the sick, preparing meals, con- "I'm not the polished speaker that sanctified. Not because we're bet- soling mourners and contacting ter," explained the rabbi, "but be- other volunteers when the calls my father is," began a modest Irvin Rabinowitz, who quickly added, cause of our mission to live by cer- come in, Harriet would take little "yet." tain restrictions-to be an example credit for her work. Feinerman, who served the con- for the rest of the world. The more "A mitzva's a wonderful thing,' sanctity, the more restrictions," he' declared Beth Jacob's Woman o gregation as its president for two emphasized, tying in the Rabino- the Year. "This award belongs to years, gave a moving farewell ad- dress as both Beth Jacob officer and witz family, Kohanes who sat on Hashem for giving us the mitzva member soon to make aliyah. the dais. to do." "Ma to-vu ohalecha Ya-akov Finally, the rabbi joked about Perhaps the entire evening be mish kenosecha Yisroel," quoted writing his son Rabbi Ilan Feld- longed to G-d, for there was a feel Mike, "How goodly are your tents, man's speeches just as others had ing of abundant joy that permeate o Jacob, your habitations, o Is- once joked that his speeches were the hall-fathers and sons joine rael." Then he added, "I"d like to written by his father. together for noble causes; an estal lished doctor leaving the comfor of America for the Jewish hom land; a synagogue that sticks out neck to further Jewish education: dedicated housewife and wort] volunteers making chesed (kin ness) a way of life, and the leade of our community joined togeth singing praises to G-d after dinn It was difficult to leave the h that evening. It was as if we wanted the joy to last a little long But, all family reunions must e sometime.