Commemorating Kristallnacht Through Education
And Action
Students reinforced their knowledge of the Shoah with an assembly about Kristallnacht. Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach provided context and showed a brief documentary film on the horrific events that took place on November 9–10, 1938.
Rabbi Zev Friedman, rosh mesivta, commented on the “calculated German plan to test the reaction of the world and on the silence that ensued.”
Afterwards, students began preparing to translate their history lesson into action. “Learning about history is always important and it becomes much more meaningful and real when you actually use your knowledge of the past to influence the present,” said Associate Principal Mr. Hillel Goldman.
Students broke up into groups and began making posters in anticipation of a rally to protest the continued presence of a Nazi concentration-camp guard living in the United States. Jakiw Palij was a guard at the notorious Trawniki killing camp and participated in the brutal massacre of the 6,000 confined Jews in one 24-hour period, in November 1943. Palij gained entry into the United States by concealing his Nazi past, lying to federal officials. He lived under the radar for many years, collecting Social Security and enjoying all the benefits of American society. Eventually his lie was exposed and after extensive trials and appeals, he was stripped of the citizenship and ordered deported in 2004.
Unfortunately, no country agreed to accept him. Neither Poland nor the Ukraine, where the murders took place, accepted the U.S. request to take him back. This case continues to remain in limbo, relying on a technicality, something that frustrates students at Rambam.
They have been campaigning relentlessly to have him removed and shipped to Germany. Protesters assembled outside of his house chanting “No SS in the U.S.”; “Your Neighbor is a Nazi”; and “Kick Him Out!” The media was out in full force for the story. News of the rallies has traveled around the world through the Associated Press. Reports reached San Francisco and even Australia.
Students then boarded buses and headed to the German Consulate in Manhattan where the protest continued. Assemblyman David Weprin issued a statement commending Rabbi Friedman and Rambam Mesivta for their tireless efforts and spoke about what an affront it was to Jackson Heights, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world, to be harboring someone whose values were antithetical to what the neighborhood stands for.
Councilman Bruce Blakeman also spoke at the rally and read a statement of support from Congressman Peter King stating that he is committed to sending Palij out of the country to face justice.
Ninth-grade student Joseph Schwartz read a letter of support from Congressman Suozzi and sophomore Avi Balsam shared his letter of support from Congressman Crowley. Abie Hersch read a letter of support from Congresswoman Rice while Avi Koenig read a bipartisan letter signed by 29 members of New York State Delegation. Senior Akiva Schuck also read a statement of support from Congressman Peter King.
Mr. Hillel Goldman spoke about the world’s silence during the Holocaust and forcefully stated, “We will not stay silent,” demanding that Germany “take him back,” which was followed by chants of that very theme.
The finger was pointed squarely at the German government demanding that they take Palij back. Rabbi Friedman cogently asked the crowd:
“Who gave him the gun?” In unison they responded, “Germany!”
“Who gave him the bullets?” Again the answer was “Germany!”
“Who gave him the uniform?” And the students shouted, “Germany!”
“Who gave him the training?” And the crowd answered, “Germany!”
“Who gave him the orders?” And again they declared, “Germany!”
“Who bears ultimate responsibility?” Once more, they thundered, “Germany!”
Afterwards, officials from the German Consulate came down to the rally organizers. When asked whether they felt at least the moral responsibility to take him back, they admitted that they had no answer . . .
170 Boys Attend
Open House Event
Representing 23 different yeshivas, 170 boys attended Rambam Mesivta’s 26th annual open house. The program highlighted Rambam men from different grades and different neighborhoods.
Rabbi Dr. Andrew Sicklick opened the program talking about the process he went through four years ago in choosing a high school for his son, Sam, who is a senior in Rambam.
Dr. Sicklick mentioned how happy he is with the choice he made and spoke about the excellent well-rounded experience Sam has benefited from in Torah, academics, and extracurricular activities, “One of the advantages of having smaller grades is that it provides more opportunities. There are no quotas or limitations on participation—whether it’s athletic teams, academic teams, hobbies, additional Torah learning, your son can participate in a variety of programs. He doesn’t have to choose one or the other.”
Senior Yoni Grossman and freshman Binyamin Werner spoke about the opportunities that they embraced in Rambam. They introduced Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman who paid tribute to Rabbi Dr. Sicklick for scaling back his hours teaching in Montefiore Medical Center in order to join the Rambam limudei kodesh staff.
Rabbi Friedman spoke about how Rambam inculcates in its students a love and proficiency in avodas Hashem through tefillah and limud haTorah. “Years ago we initiated a Sephardi minyan in order to give our talmidim the opportunity to celebrate their proud mesorah—and we are proud to have Rabbi Gez, a true “chacham,” davening and learning with the boys every morning.”
Rabbi Friedman also outlined the unique limudei kodesh program and spoke about the product one would expect after four years. He stressed the importance of personal middos and the value of being concerned about Klal Yisrael in a hands-on way.
Senior Akiva Schuck and freshman Azi Frogel shared their perspective on Rambam, the chevrah, and the extracurricular activities, introducing Mr. Hillel Goldman, associate principal, who also coordinates all extracurricular activities.
Mr. Hillel Goldman, who inspires students throughout the school with his engaging classes in English literature and writing, spoke about the importance of having “smart fun.” He listed the myriad activities that take place on an ongoing basis, joking that there seems to be “more clubs than students.” He spoke about providing a team for every talent, a club for every curiosity, and a place for every person.
Rabbi Yotav Eliach took the podium and spoke about Rambam’s goal of inspiring students to be the leaders of tomorrow. He highlighted a number of alumni and their active roles in the Jewish community.
Rabbi Eliach also outlined Rambam’s academic program and amazing track record paradigmatic of Rambam graduates. “We were fortunate to be the only high school that was granted coveted Blue Ribbon status ‘based upon their consistent high level performance on standardized state and national exams and other criteria.’ This honor came on the heels of our being recertified by the Middle States Association. Clearly outlining what makes Rambam unique, Rabbi Eliach emphasized the school’s merit-based admissions program and focus on middos.
Sumptuous food, melaveh malkah-style, capped off a warm and informative glimpse into what Rambam has to offer those who join.
Freedom Is Not Free
Rabbi Yotav Eliach explained why those oft-spoken words are more than just a cliché. In introducing Rambam’s 26th annual Veterans Day program, Rabbi Eliach explained the vital role that the armed services provide protecting our freedoms and lifestyle in the U.S. “We have freedom of religion, freedom to speak out, and unlimited opportunities in this country.” Rabbi Eliach pointed out that the United States military is still actively engaged in conflicts around the world. However, we are fortunate the battles are being fought thousands of miles away from our homeland. The men and women in the armed forces are actually putting themselves at risk protecting our freedom. Indeed, freedom is not free.
Rambam Mesivta has been paying tribute to veterans since the inception of the school. Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman explained that hakaras ha’tov is a fundamental Torah concept. America is a medinas chesed, affording us the ability to live a full and vibrant Jewish life. “We must be loyal to the government in general and thankful to our troops in particular,” said Rabbi Friedman.
Mr. Hillel Goldman explained, “Recognizing the sacrifice of our veterans and honoring them is an important educational message that has to be transmitted to students as part of their high-school education.”
Rabbi Eliach introduced Captain Eric Kucich who teaches biology and earth science at Rambam. Mr. Kucich spoke about the challenges that he faces whenever he’s called upon to do a tour of duty. “During my last stint, which lasted almost a year, from 2016 to 2017, I was called up suddenly and had to leave my wife with three little kids and a house that was under construction. It was a challenging and difficult sacrifice to make but I knew it was the right thing to do,” he explained. “When people see me and say ‘thank you for your service,’ I’m not sure they realize that I consider my service to be an honor and a sacred obligation. Hence, no thank-you is needed.”
Captain Kucich explained that his unit was in charge of 5,000 men and helped our allies in psychological operations against the enemy. He reiterated Rabbi Eliach’s points made earlier by explaining that we live in a tough world both in Asia and in the Pacific with Korea; we are preparing for the worst. Fortunately, he explained that the battleground is far away from the United States. Citizens in the United States need not worry but must be aware of what is going on around the world, explained Kucich.
At the end of the assembly, Mr. Kucich expressed his gratitude to the Rambam community and presented Rabbi Eliach with a special plaque of appreciation and an American flag that was flown during his service in Qatar, Iraq, and Kuwait.
Students from Rambam gave Mr. Kucich a standing ovation, indicating that the appreciation was reciprocal, demonstrating that the educational message of the assembly was successfully internalized by the students.
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