Teller From Jerusalem

Rabbi Kelemer had the unique talent to empower whomever he encountered and always left them with a better feeling about themselves and their abilities. His sensitivity to the emotions and pain of others was legendary and a poignant example was when the Versailles Wedding Hall in Jerusalem collapsed in 2001. In this context TFJ expands upon the seminal role this catastrophe had upon the development of United Hatzalah in Israel, under the leadership of Eli Beer.

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© 2024 Media Education Trust llc

One’s first association of the IDF is that of a mighty army that secures Israel’s borders and simultaneously prevents an Iranian hegemonic caliphate in the Middle East. But the IDF is very much also the platform and the wherewithal to enable Israelis – of every background – to live the Israeli dream.

The IDF presents an incredible educational opportunity for those who have been deprived of a high school education, or received weak schooling. The first priority for the scholarships are for minorities: Arabs, Druze or Christians. But even those who do not participate in the IDFs continuing education programs, are very much involved in a broader educational project that is the essence of the IDF. During their years of service, young men and women will transform from selfish takers absorbed with their phones, into mature, responsible adults who blossom into givers that are committed to each other for life.

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© 2024 Media Education Trust llc

The casualty ambassadors of the IDF, like of any army, have the difficult job of informing of the passing of a loved one. Rabbi Steven Weil CEO of Friends of the IDF explains what is entailed in the role of these ambassadors and the caution they employ to make the hardest news a softer blow. Rabbi Weil also reveals what the IDF is doing to weed out potential victims of PTSD.

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© 2024 Media Education Trust llc

The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has spread its tentacles all over the earth. Their greatest resource is the Hezbollah in Lebanon who probably possess 2000 precision guided missiles. These missiles have the capability of taking out Israel’s most valuable assets within 14 inches of accuracy.

Because of the existential threat that Hezbollah poses, when Israel called up its reservists after the October 7^th attack, two thirds of them were sent to the North where 100,000 civilians have been evacuated to be out of direct Hezbollah range. But the danger that Hezbollah poses is not just to Israel. Iran seeks a hegemonic Shia califate that will threaten the world, and all that stands in their way is the State of Israel.

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© 2024 Media Education Trust llc

From the time Rabbi Kelemer assumed his post as Rabbi of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, NY the congregants (and soon many, many others) understood that their Rabbi was totally devoted to assisting them, with never a consideration for his own personal comfort or prestige. His expertise in halacha was marshaled to assist those who grappled with dilemmas but wished to remain allegiant to Jewish law.

As Israel valiantly fights an existential battle against Hamas in Gaza, it is painfully aware that Hamas is but one of Iran’s Shia proxies looking to spread the Islamic revolution. Rabbi Steven Weil, CEO of Friends of the IDF and former pulpit rabbi and the director of the Orthodox Union, joins Teller From Jerusalem to share his wisdom and insight regarding the frightening threats Israel must cope with and be prepared for.

Although the Shia are the minority in the Islamic world, they pack enormous weight through their proxies directed by the IRCG. Be it the Houthis in Yemen, Shia militia in Syria, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), the terrorist groups in Gaza and the most heavily armed proxy with the most sophisticated weaponry, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, all are at the beck and call of Iran to eliminate any country or force opposed to the hegemonic caliphate that they are determined to establish.

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© 2024 Media Education Trust llc

Israel had a cadre of talented leaders. Israel also enjoyed the support of world Jewry resulting in sorely needed funds and volunteers that formed the beginning of the Israeli Air Force.

The least likely of allies was the Soviet Union, which was and would return to being fiercely anti-Zionist, but at this critical period backed Israel and allowed its satellite Czechoslovakia to supply Israel with arms. King Abdul of Jordan, pragmatically realized that Israel was here to stay and would have preferred dealing with the Israelis over the likes of Haj Amin al-Husseini.

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© 2023 Media Education Trust llc

Despite the embargo on armaments to Israel, the Israelis figured out daring ways to smuggle in weapons. The arrival of these munitions enabled the Hagana to attempt to break the stranglehold on Jerusalem. The all important site overlooking the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway was Kastel and the Arabs under the command of their most dynamic leader, Abdel Kader al-Husseini, drove the Jews out. But not before a Hagana gunner eliminated Husseini, seriously crippling Arab leadership.

Abdel Kader al-Husseini’s cousin was the Nazi mufti of Jerusalem, accurately portrayed in TFJ Season I episode 33. Haj Amin al-Husseini spared no efforts to exterminate the Jews in Israel and elsewhere, inflaming Arab passions with the fiction that the Jews were taking over Al Aksa. This false rumor invariably led to pogroms, mass murder, mayhem, looting and destruction. The family tradition was carried on with the Mufti’s nephew, arch terrorist, Yasser Arafat. Their lies, incitement and methodology continue with Hamas today.

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© 2023 Media Education Trust llc

The Young Israel of West Hempstead burgeoned to a community of 750 families under the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer of blessed memory. Referred to as the “Rabbi’s Rabbi,” this title does no justice to the overwhelming impact that he had upon anyone he encountered. It wasn’t charisma, and it certainly wasn’t hip coolness; it was the rarest blend of mastery of every facet of Torah, exquisite sensitivity, and how a God-fearing individual must consistently conduct themselves.

Anyone who required assistance, whether it was requested or not (usually the latter) was blessed by Rabbi Kelemer taking them under his wing, making them feel honorable and important. The Rabbi had a very liberal ‑ nigh incomprehensible ‑ interpretation of assistance. With never a thought for his personal comfort or dignity, no obstacle could prevent his treasured and cherished uplifting intervention.

Because of his Torah scholarship recognized by the world’s most prominent roshei yeshivah, dynamic leadership, and extraordinary care for everyone, the Young Israel of West Hempstead where he was the Mara D’asra swelled to a membership of 750 families. Young and old, disaffected youth, ardent secularists and yeshivah graduates revered Rabbi Kelemer and lovingly heeded his counsel.

Listen to some of the amazing stories concerning one of this generation’s most noble rabbis.

As we noted in our previous episode, a spirit of volunteerism and unity has swept Israel. Everyone seems to be joining the war effort in their own modest way, and the result is enterprising ingenuity marshalled in a scope that is hard to comprehend and beautiful to behold. The murderous and barbaric Hamas attack exacted a very heavy price, but in its aftermath the people of Israel have united and put aside their long-standing differences. There are those from around the world – even cowboys – who are also showing their solidarity.