2008 Woodie Awards
Potpourri of Yeshiva College Memories
Alvin I. Schiff
Issue date: 4/18/05 Section: YUdaica
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Some of the best years of my life were the eight semesters I spent in Yeshiva College. As a Bostonian, I was destined to go to Yeshiva College. My Religious Zionist home background and growing up with R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, whom we all called the Rav, guaranteed that I would be a student at RIETS. Moreover, my mother worked hard to raise funds for Yeshiva as secretary of the Women's Association of New England. I received interesting support regarding my decision to attend Yeshiva College from an unexpected source. My mother was a first cousin of R. Avraham Karelitz - the Chazon Ish - the Talmudic luminary of the first half of the twentieth century and my parents' shadchan. During the last fifteen years of his life, the Hazon Ish lived in the modest home of my uncle, R. Gershon Schneidman, who would come each summer to the United States "tzu kempfen shabbos" - to do battle for Sabbath observance. When I completed my sophomore year in High School, my uncle suggested that it would be a good idea to seek guidance from the Hazon Ish regarding the choices of a Yeshiva in New York to attend after the completion of High School. My father, known as the Brezer Illui in Lithuania, skeptically agreed. There were four possibilities for me: Mesivta Torah Vodaath; Yeshiva Chaim Berlin; Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem, where R. Shmuel Greineman, cousin of both the Hazon Ish and my mother, was the menahel; and RIETS.
The following summer, my uncle returned with a Yiddish note penned on a brown paper bag. Translated, the message said: "Avremeleh [my Yiddish name], I think that it is a good idea for you to study in Revel's yeshiva. [Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revel was Rosh HaYeshiva of RIETS and the first president of Yeshiva College.] There you can excel in learning if you so desire. Moreover, you could study for a trade or profession in the secular department. But, remember, in the cold weather you should wear a warm coat." This latter reference refers to the environment in which I would be exposed to secular studies. In order not to be unduly influenced, I would need Judaic reinforcement.
The following summer, my uncle returned with a Yiddish note penned on a brown paper bag. Translated, the message said: "Avremeleh [my Yiddish name], I think that it is a good idea for you to study in Revel's yeshiva. [Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revel was Rosh HaYeshiva of RIETS and the first president of Yeshiva College.] There you can excel in learning if you so desire. Moreover, you could study for a trade or profession in the secular department. But, remember, in the cold weather you should wear a warm coat." This latter reference refers to the environment in which I would be exposed to secular studies. In order not to be unduly influenced, I would need Judaic reinforcement.