On Friday, JEC students were treated with a rare opportunity to hear directly from a modern-day Jewish hero.

Described by Rabbi Neuman as, “a man who stands as a symbol of everything we can aspire to be as human beings,” the school gathered in the beit midrash to welcome and hear inspiring words from renowned Soviet refusenik Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich.

He is widely known for his failed attempt at hijacking a Russian airliner in an attempt to draw international attention to the plight of Soviet Jews, especially those who were intent on maintaining their Jewish identity and practice.

Although hailed a hero, Rabbi Mendelevich opened his presentation humbly. “I am a regular Jew,” he said. “What I did, anyone can do. And that’s why I’m here. And what I did, you boys can do even better, because you have a Torah education, which I did not have.”

Students and faculty were riveted by Rabbi Mendelevich’s account of his attempted hijacking and, even more so, by the reasoning behind it. The rabbi shared how he felt an inexplicable inner drive to raise the banner of Judaism and fight for the right to practice his religion, even at the risk of death, which he faced more than once.

He charged the students to take up the arms of the Chofetz Chaim, Torah and tefillah, and work diligently to help stem the tide of increasing assimilation here in North America.

The presentation concluded with an opportunity for students and faculty to wish Rabbi Mendelevich a good Shabbos, and many received brachot as well.