Rav Kahane of Blessed Memory

2-Apr-08

Dear Rebetzin Kahane,

I heard you on the radio today and I would like to add some of my own memories.

First of all he was one of my heroes as I was growing up in Brooklyn in the 60's and 70's. We felt his encouragement and sense of Jewish pride in Brooklyn College where the Blacks were intimidating Jews. I remember spending one rainy Sat night on the roof of a house in Williamsburg protecting a threatened Jewish family from Puerto Rican threats. Would I actually throw the Molotov cocktail down on attackers if I had to?

I wasn't an official member of the JDL. Perhaps I was raised too much "establishment" like and was not encouraged to be an activist but I knew who cared about Jews and who was right about all the issues. His articles in the Jewish Press accompanied my every Shabbos I'll never forget one evening in the early seventies. I found myself riding in a car with the Rav, traveling to a speaking engagement in a community center in Canarsie. There I was sitting next to him, knowing was in the presence of a great Jew and thinking , he has to beg and hope there will be an audience to find the time to hear him. There was a relatively sparse crowd if I remember correctly, It amazed me how people just did not get it and did not appreciate the selfless efforts of the Rav. I am sure many more did than they let on. The fat cat establishment were always transparent to me.

I moved to Israel in the end of 1977 and I voted for the Rav a number of times. It was considered a radical thing to do but I understood how right he was - and is.

I liken him to the prophet Yermiyahu. He warned repeatedly and in the end payed with his life. It is often debated, does history make the man or does man make history. It is hard to conceive of certain events with out the men that molded them, Napoleon, Churchill etc.. The Rav was in that category. Had he lived I think he would have effected our history - but Hashem had other plans.

No doubt in modern Jewish history, very few can compare to his ahavas Yisroel , bold insight and Jewish pride. May his teaching and example help us. in these difficult times

With respect

Shalom Pollack
www.shalompollacktours.co.il

Shalom Pollack Tours of Israel
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	Rav Kahane of Blessed Memory 2-Apr-08 Dear Rebetzin Kahane, I heard you on the radio today and I would like to add some of my own memories. First of all he was one of my heroes as I was growing up in Brooklyn in the 60's and 70's. We felt his encouragement and sense of Jewish pride in Brooklyn College where the Blacks were intimidating Jews. I remember spending one rainy Sat night on the roof of a house in Williamsburg protecting a threatened Jewish family from Puerto Rican threats. Would I actually throw the Molotov cocktail down on attackers if I had to? I wasn't an official member of the JDL. Perhaps I was raised too much "establishment" like and was not encouraged to be an activist but I knew who cared about Jews and who was right about all the issues. His articles in the Jewish Press accompanied my every Shabbos I'll never forget one evening in the early seventies. I found myself riding in a car with the Rav, traveling to a speaking engagement in a community center in Canarsie. There I was sitting next to him, knowing was in the presence of a great Jew and thinking , he has to beg and hope there will be an audience to find the time to hear him. There was a relatively sparse crowd if I remember correctly, It amazed me how people just did not get it and did not appreciate the selfless efforts of the Rav. I am sure many more did than they let on. The fat cat establishment were always transparent to me. I moved to Israel in the end of 1977 and I voted for the Rav a number of times. It was considered a radical thing to do but I understood how right he was - and is. I liken him to the prophet Yermiyahu. He warned repeatedly and in the end payed with his life. It is often debated, does history make the man or does man make history. It is hard to conceive of certain events with out the men that molded them, Napoleon, Churchill etc.. The Rav was in that category. Had he lived I think he would have effected our history - but Hashem had other plans. No doubt in modern Jewish history, very few can compare to his ahavas Yisroel , bold insight and Jewish pride. May his teaching and example help us. in these difficult times With respect Shalom Pollack www.shalompollacktours.co.il Other articles:
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Rav Kahane of Blessed Memory