By COLlive staff
When the Mayanot Women’s Program In Jerusalem was established 4 years ago, Rabbi Yaakov Greenbaum of Crown Heights initiated contact with Mayanot.
Greenbaum wanted to donate a Torah library to the program in memory of his parents, Reb Shmuel and Rachel Greenbaum, OBM.
His mother Rachel was one of the first students at the famed Beis Yaakov, a seminary in Krakow established in 1917 by Sarah Schenirer, the renowned pioneer of Jewish education for women.
His father, Reb Shmuel, studied at the famous Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva in Poland, founded by the acclaimed Rabbi Meir Shapiro (who also established the Daf Yomi daily study).
“Both of his parents were true Torah scholars. It makes sense, then, to have dedicated a Torah library to their memory,” said the institute’s heads Rabbi Shloime Gestetner and Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov.
After surviving the Holocaust, the Greenbaums moved to Australia. There, Reb Shmuel became a pillar of the Yeshiva community in Sydney and taught many classes in Gemorah and was instrumental in educating many of the youth; many of whom were future Rabbis and leaders of the Jewish community.
On Sunday, Yaakov and Baila Greenbaum were in Israel and visited the program where they were warmly welcomed.
Yaakov noted that his mother Rachel would have been thrilled and touched to see so many young Jewish women coming to Israel to study Torah.
He said the excited buzz of learning that resonates through the Beit Midrash and library of the Women’s Program is certainly the most fitting ‘memorial’, and a great merit for the neshamot of his parents.
“Reb Yaakov’s parents influence can clearly be seen in his generosity and his commitment to Jewish learning,” Rabbi Gestetner told them during the visit.
“This gesture was extremely kind and generous given the new beginnings of Mayanot. It was just what the Yeshiva needed.”
dearest bailah
so nice to see you on line
how are you
such a beautiful mitzvah
may hashem give you many happy healthy years together with your husband
wishing you a gut yar
a ksiva vchasimah tova
much nachas from your grandchildren
may we be zoche to see the emesdikah yeshua
The surnames Gestetner and Greenbaum are synonymous with Yidishkeit in Sydney Australia. Rabbi Shlomie Gestetner’s father was a founder of the Yeshiva College. He literally went knocking on peoples doors begging them to send their children to Yeshiva College a new frum Jewish Day School that began with a only a handful of children. It is in such a home that Rabbi Gestetner grew up. He is now emulating and following in his late father’s illustrious memory by establishing and running the Mayanot institutions. I wonder if any of the grandchildren or great grand children that Reb Nosson Gestetner brought… Read more »
yankel havent seen you for a while
naftoli cohen
as a mayanot alumnus i can say thanks to this library i can now walk into a beis medrish and actually know what some of the books are and where to look information up. THANK YOU
Rabbi Shmuel Greenbaum was an inspiration to the first generation of baalei Teshuva who entered the Yeshiva community in Sydney in the early seventies.
He was not a gregarious man but you knew he took Yiddishkeit seriously.Mrs Greenbaum was an impressive woman who told me much about her time in Beis Yaakov.
She was a stalwart of Yiddishkeit in a time where few had the inner strength to hold to Torah principles in such alien territory.
May their memory be for Bessing.
I look forward to being in their presence after Moshiach arrives.
Reb Yaakov & Mrs. Greenbaum moved to LA several years ago and have greatly enhanced our Shul and community.
so cute!
This library is more than a memorial – it’s a vibrant and living legacy!
To the Greenbaums – Your gift has literally transformed the lives of hundreds of women. You gave us the ability to delve into any topic without having to reach further than the bookshelf. Thank you!!! (and please keep giving to this amazing institution!)
Beautiful! Yasher koach!
bs”d
mazal tov levi !!