Rembering People from the Past Articles

The Life and Good Works of Rabbi Boruch Milikowsky


With Excerpts from the Book and an Introduction by Elaine Berkowitz

A welcome new contribution to the genre of frum biography is scheduled to appear in Baltimore bookstores in time for the High Holidays. Written about a Baltimorean, by a Baltimorean, Raphael Blumberg’s They Called Him Rebbe: The Life and Good Works of Rabbi Boruch Milikowsky (Urim Publications) brings to life a personality who had a profound influence on many hundreds of students during his 40-year career at Talmudical Academy. And, after reading about his kindness and wisdom in dealing with teenage boys and, of course, his brilliance in Torah and


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From the Life of Rabbi Binyamin Moshe Dinovitz, zt”l


“We’re Here for a Reason”

From the Life of Rabbi Binyamin Moshe Dinovitz, zt”l

If anyone in our community epitomizes old-school Baltimore, it has to be Rabbi Binyamin Moshe Dinovitz, zt”l, who was born and raised and spent his entire life in the city. Born in 1920, Rabbi Dinovitz spoke only Yiddish for the first five years of his life. That’s what his immigrant parents spoke, of course, and so did all the children on the streets of East Baltimore. It was only when he started school that he learned the “foreign language,” English.

He had a normal upbringing for the times, but


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In Memory of Rebbetzin Chana Weinberg, a”h


As we wrote last month, Rebbetzin Weinberg, zt”l, was an integral part of Baltimore for as long as anyone can remember. During those many years, her door – and her heart – were open to all. Not just to those from any one narrow segment of the community, not just to those who were influential, not just to those who were charming and talented. She truly reached out to everyone. “Who is honored?” it asks in Pirkei Avos, replying, “one who honors others.” Rebbetzin Weinberg embodied that dictum. She saw and honored the tzelem Elokim in each person. She was


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Rabbi Hirsch zt"I An Interview From our Archives


We join Baltimoreans in mourning the petira of our beloved Rabbi Diskind, zt”l. Much has been said – much will be continue to be said – about his warmth, his kindness, and his profound contribution to the education of our girls. In his memory, we reprint this interview. Although it appeared 22 years ago, in 1991, the wisdom of Rabbi Diskind’s words still apply.


What could be more appropriate on a Friday morning than the aroma of Shabbos that greeted me at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Hirsch Diskind. The table was set, the candles ready. The house


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Remebering Baltimore's "Holy Fish Man" Mr. Alan Garfield


When my cell phone rang again and again early on August 16, I thought, can’t they call back later; it’s summer vacation; I’d like to sleep another half an hour. But my cell phone doesn’t usually ring so early, so I quickly said Modeh Ani, washed netilas yadayim, and ran to pick it up.


   “Is this Danielle Storch?” the officialsounding voice on the other end of the line asked.
   “Yes” I replied as I blinked my eyes.
   “This is Dr. Fitzpatrick from Northwest Hospital, and you are listed as family for Mr. Alan Garfield. I’m afraid to


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Reflections on Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger, zt”l


“Good afternoon, Ner Israel.”

“Hello. Rabbi Neuberger, please.”

“Who’s calling?”

“Hillel Tendler.”

“One minute, please.”

After a few seconds, a familiar and distinct voice is saying, “Hello. Shalom aleichem, Reb Hillel. What’s doing?”

So began another of countless conversations I and so many others were zocheh (merited) to have over the past decades with the giant, but completely accessible, Menahel of one of the largest yeshivos in the world.

The reason for the call did not matter. Whatever the need, be it personal or communal, Rabbi Neuberger gave you undivided attention as if nothing else mattered to him. We all know by now that there were precious


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