My Story 19

Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979) was a great rabbinic scholar, with a following both as a Rav, a traditional halachic authority, and as a Hasidic Rebbe already in his teens. He was personally modest, but fiercely outspoken, about everything that seemed to threaten Judaism. He is perhaps best known outside of Hungarian Hasidism for his staunch, lifelong opposition to Zionism and the State of Israel. But for his followers and admirers, he was far more than that. True, even in his youth he opposed Zionism on halachic and Talmudic grounds. But as time time went by,he was even more disturbed by, and freely spoke and wrote about, the anti-religious actions of the Zionist leadership, that most preferred to hush up and ignore. (I have previous written about some of these atrocities). On the other hand, he was opposed to public demonstrations. Wherever he was, his heart led him to ameliorate the physical and spiritual pain of his people. The Nazis  only came into Hungary in 1944, but quickly began their extermination of Hungarian Jews. The Rabbi of Satmar was also deported to a camp, but bribes offered for his escape were accepted. He arrived in Brooklyn, New York in 1946, where he reestablished the tradition of Hungarian Jewry in all its details. Unlike most other recent arrivals after the holocaust, his followers were not allowed to flounder and seek out their own  ways to survive in their new environment. An organized community was set up to find employment, and provide for the needs of the poor. Every Satmar Hasid was expected to donate 10% of his income to a common fund, This money was used, at first, for their own poor, but later was expanded to help any and all Jews who were in need. The Satmar Rav, as he became known, was first and foremost concerned with acts of "Hesed" (loving kindness). He shunned all organized communal institutions that were already in America, for many of the same reasons that members of this group have expressed. He set up schools, a Beit Din, mikvaot, kashrut supervision (he considered the OU to be both corrupt and incompetent. A view I share), as well as an array of other institutions as they became necessary. He was totally unconcerned with recognition by others, preferring to speak and teach his own truth. Even today, many people are converted to Judaism through  Satmar Batei Din. These conversions are not recognized by Israel, but they don't care! I was privileged to have an audience with him on three occasions. He was already in his nineties, and physically weak. As is customary, I handed him a note with my prayer requests, along with a small donation. He quickly accepted the note, but wouldn't accept the money until I assured him that I could afford it! The food packages which I received were only one of his projects. Many hospitals in the New York area have rooms set up by Satmar, where kosher food is available for those visiting the sick, as well as places for prayer and rest. Under the Satmar Rav, the movement grew to some 100,000 members, with few joining from the outside, but nonetheless providing help wherever and whenever needed. Sadly, none of his children survived him. He was succeeded by his nephew, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, who continued his work. (A segment of the community did not follow Reb Moshe, but rather Reb Yoel's widow!) Unfortunately, when Rabbi Moshe passed away in 2006, the movement split into two factions, each following one of Rabbi Moshe's sons.  Rabbi Joel also set up a rural Satmar enclave near Monroe, New York, which was named "Kiryas Joel" (Joel's Town). More recently, it has become an independent township, with the name "Palm Tree" (translation of Teitelbaum). If you visit, be prepared to have people fight over you for the honor of your presence at a meal. During those days in Monsey, when I and my family were in danger of falling apart if not for Satmar, I was friendly with a man named Charlie Roth. He was the editor of a weekly, secular Jewish publication called "The Jewish Post and Opinion". Upon hearing my experience, he wanted to run a story about Satmar's distribution of food. I called the man who had contacted me, and asked if he was willing to be interviewed. He said "No, we don't look for publicity". I said "but Satmar gets so much bad publicity (for anti-Zionist activities), why not get some good publicity for a change?" His answer "We don't care what anybody thinks of us".