With 180 people in attendance, the Jewish Learning Experience of Bergen County held its 30th anniversary dinner at the Jewish Center of Teaneck. To mark this special milestone, all four original founding couples were honored and the Kiruv Rechokim Service Award was officially changed to the “Itch Zeidel Kiruv Rechokim Award” before being given to Dr. Shoval and Allyson Gur-Aryeh.
The JLE began in 1985 as the solution to a dilemma that Sam Kaplan and Aaron Mandelbaum, both ba’alei teshuvah, noticed happening in the worlds around them. Explained Mandelbaum, the current president, during his presentation, “Sam Kaplan approached me about the problem he saw in the relationship between the observant community and the not-yet-observant. He felt that the two communities were drifting further apart from each other and he knew something had to be done.” Mandelbaum continued, “Sam believed that by exposing these two groups to each other we could break down the barriers that were developing. It definitely worked.”
Soon two other men and their wives joined the new JLE, bringing the ranks up to eight people—June and Jeffrey Glazer and Louis and Dorothy Karp, as well as Sam and Marcia Kaplan and Aaron and Naomi Mandelbaum.
“The four co-founders, coming from diversified backgrounds, gave us the sensitivity to give more meaningful programs to people we wanted to reach. Kiruv is all about sensitivity training and encouragement,” said Kaplan during his speech. “Hakarat hatov to my wife and children who made a lasting influence on our many visitors for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. Countless women lit Shabbos and Yom Tov candles for the first time in my house.”
Mandelbaum also mentioned the impact of the four rabbis who have served the JLE during its history: “Through the years we have been honored to work with excellent rabbis as our directors. Rabbi Michael Taubes, Rabbi Steven Prebor, Rabbi Baruch Price, and our current director, Rabbi David Pietruszka. All these men have left an indelible mark both on the organization and the community and I am proud to be associated with each of them.”
An affectionate tribute was paid to Teaneck resident Itch Zeidel, z”l, by Phil Stein. Zeidel passed away from ALS just a little more than a month before the dinner. He was a teacher by profession who shared his skills with the students of the JLE’s Hebrew class. He was so popular that students who should have graduated onto the level two class refused to stop attending Zeidel’s level one class. His patience, sense of humor, friendliness and warmth were cited as making him a favorite JLE teacher. He taught until he was physically unable to do so any longer.
Said Stein during his speech, “And, although he refused to accept an honor from JLE while he was alive, his family has graciously permitted us to honor him this evening, b’ezrat Hashem, with God’s help, by naming the JLE Kiruv Rechokim award in his memory.”
Dr. Shoval and Allyson Gur-Aryeh were introduced as the first recipients of the newly named award for their volunteer efforts to support the JLE. In her speech, Gur-Aryeh quoted Torah.org, “We must stop being so superficial and start understanding the greatness of every person. Whether they look less sophisticated or accomplished or even less religious, we don’t really know where they stand in Hashem’s eyes. We must cherish every Yid, embrace them, and see their greatness. Like Devorah [Stubin], we must treat every person with dignity and respect.”
“Basically, we’re commanded to love all Jews. It’s easier for some than others. None of us are perfect at this. Nonetheless, none of us are perfect at every single mitzvah we’re obligated to perform, yet that doesn’t stop us from performing them,” continued Gur-Aryeh. “I ask you to please open your eyes to other Jews around you, regardless of their background. A little warmth and interest from us goes a long way for people without a community like we have.”
Kaplan concluded, “We did this for the last 30 years and now we need young volunteers to step forward for the next generation.”
JLE kiruv events have steady attendance and are targeted at educating the unaffiliated. The organization seeks additional affiliated volunteers to continue its success.
