From the desk of Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank MS, BCC
Director of Programming, Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917 446 2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
November 11 2021 ***
MEMORIES OF AN ADOM GADOL IN AHAVAS H, AHAVAS TORAH, YIRAS SHAMAYIM, BEING MEKADESH H, LOVE OF DOING GEMILUS CHASADIM, KIBUD AV VAEIM, TREMENDOUS IN HIS ERLICHKEIT, LOVE OF HIS FELLOW JEWS, RESPECT OF AND BY ALL MEN AND WOMEN, ABLE TO BRING A SMILE ON ONE OF THE GREATEST GEDMOLIM, ACKNOWLEDEGED BY ANOTHER GREAT GADOL HADOR WHO IS THIS PERSON? MY FATHER TZVI ARYEH BEN MOSHE HALEVI ZTL ALSO KNOWN AS MR. HARRY BLANK WHOSE YARTZEIT WAS THIS PAST WEDNESDAY VAV KISLEV
ALSO IN THIS ARTICLE A MESSAGE FROM RABBI JOSEPH M. KOLAKOWSKI CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WAYMART, PA REGARDING CHAPLAINCY POSITIONS AND APPRECIATION TO RABBI DONIEL KRAMER FOR HIS NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING CHAPLAINCY POSITIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FROM OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE USA
TODAY, NOVEMBER 11th IS CALLED VETERANS DAY. WE REMEMBER THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE USA THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS AND INCLUDING THE PRESENT. MANY HAVE MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. THOUGH WE RECOGNIZE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE, WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THOSE OF THE JEWISH FAITH, THE JEWISH WAR VERTERANS. WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE US ARMED FORCES AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO RECENTLY GAVE THEIR LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN . WE THANK THE FAMILIES OF VETERANS FOR SUPPORTING THEIR LOVED ONES WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY.
Rav Dovid Feintsein ztkl in his sefer(English) Kol Dodi on the Torah (Artscroll Mesorah Publications Ltd page 55, 56) Parshas Vayeitzei (28:12) “ And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward. (28:12). Baal HaTurim points out that the gematria(numerical value) of the word sulam, ladder, is equal to that of the word kol, voice, one hundred thirty. From this we may adduce and interesting symbolism: Just as the ladder in Jacob’s dream connected the earth to heaven, allowing the angels to ascend and descend on it , so our voice is the vehicle which connects to heaven. This same symbolism is strikingly expressed in the liturgy of the High Holy days. One of the best-known affirmations of H’s mercy is a boldly simple statement consisting of seven words: Usishuva, Usifela, Utzedaka ma avirim es roa hagezeira, Repentance, prayer, and charity mitigate the evil decree. In most prayerbooks, each of the first three words has a word of explanation printed over it in small print. Over Usishuva, repentance, is the word tzom, fasting; over Usifela, prayer, is kol, voice; and over Utzedaka, charity is mawmon, money. The numerical value of each of these” explanatory” words ( without the vav, which may be omitted without changing the meaning) is the same: one hundred thirty! If we would appreciate the power that these means of expression have to convey our needs directly to H, and to arouse His compassion for us, we would certainly approach them far more seriously. It should be noted that in order for the above equation to come out, the words must all be written without the vav, since the Torah spells sulam, ladder, without the vav. We may speculate that the Torah gives this variant spelling so that the value of sulam will equal the word Sinai. This, we may suggest, is an allusion to that glorious moment in our history when every Jew stood united and received the Torah directly from H Himself. Just a Jacob’s ladder connected him directly to H, the Revelation at Mount Sinai was also a ladder between Heaven and earth. Rav Dovid in discussing the pasuk Complete this week and this one also will be given to you for the work which you will do for me for another seven years, And Jacob did so (29:27-28) (ibid pages 57 -59) The last paragraph in Rav Dovid’s commentary regarding this pasuk regarding Jacob’s continuous work for Lavan to also be able to have Rachel for a wife). From this story, we see the lengths to which the Torah expects us to go avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Rather that cause any slight to Leah’s self-respect, Jacob gave up another seven years of his life to work for his conniving father0in-law, in an atmosphere diametrically opposed to the pure Torah environment he had known in the house of his father Issac. How much more so must we be careful in our everyday speech and actions to avoid giving even the slightest offense to another person’s feelings”.
My father was remarkable in his sincere midos and care for others. I never heard him speak loshon harah nor anything negative about anyone. He had a heart of gold. Always, with a smile, a word of concern, a word of humor to cheer someone and uplift his/her spirits when they were feeling down. His sweet and kind demeaner included making sure other peoples feeing’s were considered and respected .His respect for my grandparents were full of graciousness. His parents lived in Williamsburg and whenever possible would bring me to their apartment for lots of love, blessings and Bubbies rugelach. They spoke only Yiddish. When they were ill, in the dark of night in the bitter cold he would go to be at their side. He was a butcher or as we used kid a surgeon and md( meat dealer). When the inspectors would come to the store to check the scales, he was pleasant to them, but even though they would put the official seal of approval on the scales, he was never sure their actions were accurate. His policy was to give his customers extra meat or chicken or charge them a lower cost as he was concerned about being honest .One day and elderly woman gave him a fifty dollar bill thinking she was giving my father a five dollar bill. After she left and he realized the mistake, my father without a coat and it was a cold day, ran after her down the block to give her back her money. Why ? He was concerned she would go to another store to purchase something and not find the money she thought she had. This would bring her tremendous anxiety thinking she might have lost it. He would also go shopping for elderly customers or those who were not well and deliver it to them. Davening was so important to him, especially when he was an avel for his parents. He had such tears when he would recite the kaddish. Years later, when he had Parkinsons, at one of the minyanim at MTJ Yeshiva, he started to cry as davening was becoming more difficult. Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl comforted him as did other chashuva rabbonim that the Aibershta knows what is in his heart. All through the years I was growing up, he conveyed and shared the love of davening to H and all the different minyanim including Rav Ephraim Oshrey ztl, the Lashkavitza Rebbe, bringing me Simchas Torah to the Kapitchena Rebbe, Young Israel, other shuls and of course the Yeshiva MTJ. He would often take me sometimes to the early Shabbos minyanim as well as the second minyanim, He showed me the warmth of each shul we would daven in, the kavod for the Litvisha Rabbonim, the Chasidisha Rebbes and of course the Rosh HaYeshiva and rabbeim. He enjoyed listening to the devrei Torah of the various rabbonim as well as whenever there was a chazzan. Sometimes we would go to the Bais Medrash Hagadol to daven and listen to Rav Oshrey ztl who would speak in Yiddish with lots of passion . Our family were close with various rabbonim including the Gaon Rav Eliyahu Heinken ztl . Often during the summer months, my father would drive Rav Heinken to various hotels and other locations in the “mountains/ country” in upstate New York collecting for Ezras Torah. Years later, even when Rav Heinken could no longer see, when my fathers would visit and he heard his voice would smile. His love for Klal Yisrael was special. His sincerity was genuine and pure. Chaveirim Kal Yisrael. All are part of Klal Yisrael. Litvish, Misnagid, Chasidish, Yeshivish, Mizrachi etc. no matter what types of yarlmuka or hat, what their background was or no background at all. Through the years including the last years before he became ill, whoever met my father would leave with a smile. He was so well loved and respected by men and women of all backgrounds. His midos, how he spoke to people was heart warming. At his levayeh held at Blaus chapel which was on the same block as the MTJ Yeshiva, was packed. It looked like a collage of men and women who were Jewish and from all walks of life . When I was younger he would take me to the local police precinct to meet and greet the police officers and even brought me upstairs to the PAL office. He was makpid on giving respect to the police officers who were very friendly to us. It left me with a positive impression. My father was a wonderful role model. I cannot forget his gentleness, his care for others ,how much he was loved by all family members and others. He brought much love and care to my mother A”H and entire family. He was an amazing person. Most of all he showed me the love of H and to be a mentsch.
The street where his store was located was on a block and neighborhood in Williamsburg that was filling up with gangs . His store was broken into many times especially over Shabbos. Our phone would ring and ring and after Shabbos my parents would speak to the police and head to the store. Yet, he was never bitter of what happened. Eventually, he had to give up the store. Years later after my father had died, the entire neighborhood changed. The building where the store was located was eventually torn down. Other buildings were renovated and new buildings built. The neighborhood had changed dramatically and became safer. I mentioned earlier he enjoyed listening to chazanim, but he also loved music. He had a sweet and beautiful voice. He also shared with me through the years all the beauty that H has created in this world. He was a true ambassador of Klal Yisrael and was Mekadeish H in many wonderful ways. He taught by example of the essence of what kindness is all about, to have emunah and love for H. Even as his Parkinson progressed, he never gave up in life or doing mitzvos. He was such a happy person. Tremendous simchas hachayim. The week before he was nifter when he was already in a semi coma, I stayed nearby the hospital on Shabbos. His breathing was labored. Yet, when I sang zemiros or said words of Torah, his breathing became more relaxed. I can go on and on and on, but will stop here. May he be a Meilitz Yashar for the mishpacha and for Klal Yisrael.
Below this article is a meaningful poster regarding kindness. There are also three job openings sent to me by Rabbi Kolakowski and Rabbi Kramer. Rabbi Kolakowski mentioned to read the application for a full time chaplain, but for part time positions to contact Rev. Ulrich Klemm. His contact information is located on the information below. It is important to know that chaplaincy positions even those addressed for Jewish chaplains, might still be required to care for men and women from all walks of life and religions.
I would like to conclude with the following tefila. This is the first paragraph from The Chapter of Manna many recite each day after davening except Shabbos and Yom Tov. “ May it be the will before You, H our G and the G of our forefathers, that you provide a livelihood for all of Your people, the House of Israel and my livelihood and the livelihood of the members of my household included with them with ease and not with pain, with honor and not with disgrace, in a permissible manner and not in a forbidden manner, so that we will be able to perform Your service, and study Your Torah, just as You nourished our forefathers with manna in the Wilderness, in a land arid and desolate”( Translation Artscroll Sidur Mesorah Publications Ltd).
We are mispallel to the Ribono shel Olam for His kindness. May we all be zoche to be ambassadors of Klal Yisrael and to be Mekadeish H.
Thank you. Sincerely Rabbi Yehuda Blank
FYI….The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the following position:
Chaplain (SCI Rockview)
Position closes 11-17-2021
Attached is the job posting.
You can also access the job posting by going to https://www.employment.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
- Click OPEN JOPB / VIEW JOBS & APPLY
- Click Open to Public
- Under Search, type Chaplain then hit “Enter” or single click.
- Single click the title of the position and job posting will appear
- After you have reviewed the job posting, you may hit APPLY
Please share this posting with others who may be interested in exploring a career in correctional chaplaincy. Thank you.
Rev. Ulrich “Ulli” Klemm
Religious Services Administrator
(Temporarily also giving oversight to Inmate Employment, Activities, Volunteer Services, Dog Programs)
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Division of Treatment Services
1920 Technology Parkway | Mechanicsburg PA 17050-8507
Phone: 717.728.0381 | Fax: 717.728.0308
Click to access Position-1.pdf
FYI….
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the following position:
Chaplaincy Program Director (SCI Coal Township)
Position closes 11-16-2021
Click on a job title to view the complete job posting of any position listed (it is also attached). After you have reviewed the job posting, you can apply for the position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button and completing the online application.
Please share this posting with others who may be interested in exploring a career in correctional chaplaincy. Thank you.
Rev. Ulrich “Ulli” Klemm
Religious Services Administrator
(Temporarily also giving oversight to Inmate Employment, Activities, Volunteer Services, Dog Programs)
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Division of Treatment Services
1920 Technology Parkway | Mechanicsburg PA 17050-8507
Phone: 717.728.0381 | Fax: 717.728.0308
Click to access Position-2-Nov.-9-2021.pdf
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