AN ICON OF RABBINIC LEADERSHIP
GAIL PELTZER
IF ONE WERE TO THINK OF A STERLING EXAMPLE OF A RABBI, ROSH YESHIVA, MENTOR, SPIRITUAL GUIDE, ORATOR AND TEACHER, ONE INDIVIDUAL COMES TO MIND—RABBI DR. ZVULUN LIEBERMAN ZT’L. NINE YEARS AGO, WE BADE FAREWELL TO OUR BELOVED RABBI. THE LOSS OF THIS TZADIK AND TALMID HAKHAM RESURFACES WITH GREATER INTENSITY EACH YEAR. IT TRANSCENDS THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
As we commemorate his ninth yahrzeit, we remember the depth of his outreach, wisdom and sensitivity toward his fellow Jew, and the profundity of Torah substance, and luminosity which he embodied and radiated both in Eretz Yisrael and in the diaspora.
It is most fitting that I convey my heartfelt gratitude to Hashem for having allowed me to immerse myself in his teachings. I was a beneficiary of his support and guidance. The Rabbi established a strong foundation in Torah learning. He stressed the efficacy of tefilah, hesed, and love for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael. His inextricable bond with his family, students, congregants, and colleagues have remained deeply embedded and will never be severed.
Let us begin with the Rabbi’s childhood in the Bronx. His first language was Yiddish. His mother Yehudith and father Hillel natured and nurtured him in a monetarily strapped environment. The paucity of material resources was overshadowed by unconditional parental love, derech HaTorah and the necessity to uphold the tradition of our rich Jewish heritage. The primacy of receiving and internalizing Hashem’s directives remained with him from childhood through adulthood.
Rabbi Lieberman formed an idyllic partnership with his brother Paul Lieberman, who eventually became a judge. The Rabbi always strove to give honor to his parents. He was an exemplary student who excelled scholastically in a myriad of disciplines, leading to his candidacy and acceptance into the Semicha program at Yeshiva University. He was admired and highly respected by his professors, including Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ber Soloveitchik zt’l, Rabbi Shatzkes zt’l, Rabbi Dr. Belkin, zt’l, Rabbi Dovid Lifschitz, zt’l and HaRav Ovadia Yosef, Rishon Lezion zt’l and Ha Rav Mordechai Elyahu, Rishon Lezion, zt’l, all of whom signed his Semicha.
When the Rabbi was seventeen years of age, a tidal wave came crashing down on his family. He suddenly came face-to-face with a harsh reality which he had never before encountered. His father was suddenly taken from his midst leaving the family in dire circumstances. With the inner fortitude to persevere, he obtained part time employment. His G-d given inner voice opened up a new vista of understanding. He brought healing and great consolation to his mother and brother. He proved himself beyond the shadow of a doubt more than capable of providing assistance, lending a strong hand and taking upon himself the mantle of leadership. The Rabbi never recoiled in despair but conditioned himself to confront and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
In 1955, Rabbi Lieberman married Rebbetzin Bracha, a very special woman. He mentioned to his colleague Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, she is not only a good wife she is a great team partner. The zechut he had to marry Rebbetzin Bracha carried over into their offspring Tehila, Elyorah Chaya and Hillel Elyahu, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The Rabbi’s fervor for spiritual growth and Talmudic studies was manifest in the lofty heights he reached. We marvel at the plethora of his achievements. He ultimately reached the pinnacle of success, Yoreh Yoreh Yadin Yadin, Rosh Yeshiva of Sephardic Studies at Reits, Av Beth Din of Syrian Beth Din, Dayan, Principal of Yeshivah of Flatbush, Ramaz upper school, Maybaum Chair Professor of Sephardic Studies Talmud and Halacha at YU Azrielli Graduate School and Professor of Education at the Teachers Institute for Women.
In October 2000, a second tidal wave gripped the Lieberman family, the brutal murder of Hillel Elyahu. Years earlier he met his future wife Yael in Israel. Their trajectory took them to Elon Moreh in the Shomron. As strong advocates and residents of Elon Moreh, they had established a loving family and a non-negotiable foothold in Eretz Yisrael, ensuring that the legacy of our Avot and Emahot would not pass into oblivion. They reinforce the unshakable connection of our homeland to its people. The apocalyptic act of evil committed by the Arabs turned their world upside down. Un etre vous manque et tout est depeuple. (Sometimes, only one person is missing, and the whole world seems depopulated.)
The Rabbi had been leading the Yom Kippur service when he received this news. Solitary in his lamentation he nevertheless kept his emotions in check. The news did not derail him from his Rabbinic responsibility, a true testimony to the grandeur and humility of an exemplary Rabbinic leader. Today the courage and strength of his character is manifest in his two grandsons, Moshe Yair who is currently serving in the Paratroopers and Yosef Yisrael who is serving in the Golani Brigade division of the Israel Defense Forces.
I wish to express my gratitude to the following interviewees who have willingly shared their personal connection to Rabbi Dr. Zvulun Lieberman zt’l, Rabbi Meir Goldwicht shlita. In Mesechta Avot it is written, “One who is rich is satisfied with his lot.” Rabbi Dr. Lieberman gave an alternate explication and expounded on this. “One is also happy when he sees the success of others.”
MEMORIES OF RABBI LIEBERMAN Z’TL
I met Rabbi Lieberman zt’l at Yeshiva University. He encouraged his students to check and investigate what was happening in Eretz Yisrael. “We need to feel that the diaspora is temporary, and understand that the real life is in Eretz Yisrael. If people internalize this message, they will develop the power and motivation to go to Israel in the future.”
Rabbi Dr. Lieberman made each of his students feel unique. They gleaned so much from his lectures. I admired his patience in listening to individuals. When the opportunity availed itself, I sought sagacious advice from my beloved colleague. He integrated the parashat into everyday mundane situations. We all miss him. His passing is a tremendous loss.”
Rabbi Ezra and Schifra Hanon remember, ”Ours was the first wedding in Congregation Beth Torah. The Rabbi was the Misadar Kedushin on Sept. 12, 1971. Our children prayed in Congregation Beth Torah. It received many awards for architectural beauty.”
Rabbi Ezra continued, “Rabbi Dr. Lieberman zt’l taught me how to endear children. His son Hillel Eliyahu came to Bet Knesset. I can recall Hillel at age 5 or 6 frolicking. He sat on the Rabbi’s lap for 15 minutes. This was his favorite introspection spot. Hillel was quite active.
We were guests at the Rabbi’s home several times. He taught my children at the Azrelli graduate school. He was truly a master teacher. He also cemented the relationship between my wife Schifra and me. Schifra was firmly planted in Ashkenazi traditions and mine are Syrian. Rabbi Dr. Lieberman fused the two families and societies. He emphasized the love of Jew for Jew.”
“The Rabbi was a Renaissance man, powerfully erudite in many fields. He integrated Sephardic traditions into Congregation Beth Torah and the committee abided by his decisions.”
“The Rabbi was a Renaissance man, powerfully erudite in many fields. He integrated Sephardic traditions into Congregation Beth Torah and the committee abided by his decisions.”
“Following the six-day war in 1967, he asked the following question. What do you think a normal warring victorious nation does after defeating its enemy? Israel sent milk into the Old City, Yehudah and Shomron for Arab babies. This shows the heightened moral conscience and integrity of the Israelis.”
“My siblings were so inspired by Rabbi Dr. Lieberman. My sister boarded the Zion ship departing from the US, destination Tel Aviv. She credits Rabbi Lieberman for giving her inspiration and love of Eretz Yisrael.”
Rabbi Ezra Hanon is the Health Care chaplain at NYU Coney Island Hospital. Schifra Hanon is Director of Pathfinders at the Yeshivah of Flatbush.
”Everyone was enamored by the Rabbi’s countenance. He ingratiated himself and inspired people—5 through 95 years old. He engaged the students and every morning he would get on the PA system. May his memory be a blessing.”
Mr. David Dweck, one of the founders of Congregation Beth Torah said, “I moved in 1968 to the Avenue J area. We were praying in the basement of Club 100 with a small minyan. From its inception, Rabbi Dr. Lieberman was the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Torah. Abie Tawil was getting bar mitzvahed. I marvel at the fact that the Rabbi, Ashkenazi from birth, had to think outside of the box. He adjusted so masterfully to the Sephardic customs and rituals. People sought his counsel. On holiday evenings he invited people from the block to an intimate reception for a Sefer Torah reading after synagogue services. I purchased permanent seats for my family. The congregation grew by leaps and bounds under his leadership. The aura of ongoing Torah classes and minyanim created such a spirit of congeniality, thanks to the Rabbi’s initiative and toil.”
David continued, “He was such a template. Whenever I asked a question, I received an answer on the spot. The congregation honored him. They always gave him the respect he deserved. They escorted him up to the podium. The Rabbi was so lovable. His passing has left an inexplicable void within us.”
“Beloved Rabbi Dr. Zvulun Lieberman zt’l, it has been nine years since your passing. You transformed the month of Tevet into tovot. You gave us the courage to access the sparks of G-dliness within us. You celebrated our successes and your humility generated such charisma. I can recall when I visited you at NYU Hospital, the Haitian nurse remarked “I want to adopt the Rabbi as my father. He is the best patient ever.”
“When I gaze at your portrait in Congregation Beth Torah I am reminded of your inimitable smile, heartfelt compassion and Torah words of Emet. You shepherded your family, congregants and students for over six decades. You fled from honor, never seeking the limelight, no special privileges. You were the candle that ignited thousands of neshamot. You saw the intrinsic beauty in every Jew. In the zechut of your self-sacrifice may we be zocheh to witness the ultimate geula and once again be in your presence.”
Rabbi Dr. Zvulun Lieberman is survived by his wife Rebbetzin Bracha, his brother Judge Paul, Esq., his daughters Tehila and Elyorah, his daughter in-law Yael, grandchildren and great grandchildren both in Eretz Yisrael and in the diaspora. Yehi Zichro Baruch.
I wish to thank Rabbi Azancot for preserving the legacy of Rabbi Dr. Zvulun Lieberman zt’l. May the Rabbi be blessed.
Gail Peltzer is a community member.
