By COLlive reporter
Larry Caroline came of age at the height of the 60s counterculture, quickly becoming a vocal part of the civil rights and anti-war movements. As a young assistant professor at the University of Texas, he called for a “revolution,” which quickly drew headlines and cost him his career.
After moving to Buffalo with his wife, Larry found himself drawn to a different counterculture: the small Chabad House established by Rabbi Nosson Gurary. Slowly but surely, Larry became lovingly known as ‘Reb Yisroel,’ after his given Jewish name.
One time, when Larry met with the Rebbe, the Rebbe told him that, since he was known in the past as a revolutionary, he would like him to now become “my revolutionary.” A number of times thereafter, the Rebbe would refer to him as ‘Reb Yisroel Caroline.’
When they moved to Philadelphia, ‘Reb Yisroel’ took a position at Beth Jacob Schools, where he soon became responsible for the school’s shaky finances after the director’s untimely passing.
Despite these hardships and in opposition to a group of vocal parents, Larry insisted on accepting the children of Russian Jewish immigrants who couldn’t afford to pay but would now have their first encounter with their heritage.
Years later, for a documentary film “The Time in Between” by Yuvla Media, Larry was asked to reflect on his choices and the consequences of the idealism that led him to make them.
This short film by Bentzi Avtzon was made at the request of his family to mark his recent shloshim. It was filmed by Shlomo Chaim Rivkin.
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Larry and Dina were my Shabbos host several times when I came to visit my non-observant family in Philadelphia. He provided many hours of “family” away from my family. I attended Beth Jacob from kindergarten through 8th grade, so I really appreciate his work for that Torah school. A sweet Jew and a real mentch.
I remember him Mr. Caroline a little from when he came to the Buffalo Chabad House. Great souls were there. It was a really exciting era.