Hineni, Changing Lives One By One

Founded in 1973 by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, the Hineni outreach organization has evolved into the most influential and internationally recognized Jewish educational network in the modern era. Inspired by the wisdom of the Torah as imparted by Rebbetzin Jungreis, alienated Jews from around the globe have flocked to her weekly classes for decades and it is there that the pintele yid (the Jewish spark) ignites into a flame. Some attend to seek guidance from the Rebbetzin about the challenges that life represents and others are not precisely sure what to expect. One thing is certain; no one departs unaffected.

Each year the organization recognizes those members whose personal narratives are nothing short of miraculous. Their individual trajectories to the acknowledgement of Hashem and a Torah life were motivated by an involved and loving Rebbetzin, the power of faith that she helped instill and the Yad Hashem (hand of G-d) in each of their lives. At the recent 2011 Hineni annual dinner, a captivated audience sat in rapt attention as several distinguished individuals spoke of the life altering transformations that they experienced as a result of Rebbetzin Jungreis’ influence.

Honored with the “Inspired Parenting” award was Jason M. Aryeh and his beloved daughter Katie, aged 9. After losing his adored wife Ann to cystic fibrosis in 2009, Mr. Aryeh first came to Hineni at the behest of a relative. “A year after my wife passed on, my brother-in-law from Denver, who is a wonderful guy, told me that when he came to New York for the first time 20 years ago he had heard Rebbetzin Jungreis speak and thought that I would enjoy her classes, so I took him up on his suggestion,” said Mr. Aryeh in a private interview.

Recalling the first time he attended the Rebbetzin’s Torah class, Mr. Aryeh said in a voice reverberating with great emotion, “It was absolutely uncanny. My jaw just dropped to the floor. Her perspectives on life matched mine to a tee. She challenges us all to be better people; to lead lives of the highest moral integrity. I grew up as a Reform Jew and wasn’t familiar with authentic Torah values but when I heard her speak I knew she was coming from the same place I was.”

The love of Mr. Aryeh’s life is his precious daughter Katie. As a motivated, exceptionally loving and highly involved father he expressed concern for how his daughter would be raised in the absence of her mother. “Ann, my late wife, was the most phenomenal human being that I ever met. She was my spiritual guru; who taught me deep and profound lessons while helping me to be a much better father in every respect. I was very worried about who would replace this magnificent influence in Katie’s life.”

After hearing the Rebbetzin speak, Mr. Aryeh asked for her approval to bring little Katie to the Torah classes.  “There is one thing when a child hears lessons from their parent, but I thought it would be an invaluable lesson for Katie to hear these pearls of wisdom directly from the Rebbetzin,” he said. The Rebbetzin was thrilled with the idea, and since that moment a deep and loving bond has been forged between her and Katie.

“Every night before putting Katie to bed, we talk about our day, and I try to instill in Katie the great lessons of life as taught by Rebbetzin Jungreis. What you get out of your life depends on what you demand of yourself and we must strive to be nothing less than spectacular human beings. Why should we have any vices when we have the ability to improve and reach our own personal potential each day? We must take stock of our words and deeds and ask ourselves how we can soar to highest ethical levels,” he said.

Not a believer in mere coincidence, Mr. Aryeh said, “I truly believe that my late wife, Ann, in collaboration with G-d, brought Rebbetzin Jungreis into our lives as our venerable spiritual mentor and moral guide. My relationship and bonding with G-d has been accentuated and reinforced through the Rebbetzin’s teachings.”

Overflowing with exuberance, Mr. Aryeh said, “I am very honored to have met and achieved such a close friendship not only with the Rebbetzin but with her wonderful daughter Slovie and her entire family, including her son Moshe. The love that the Rebbetzin and her family have for Katie is so genuine; so heartfelt and so comforting to the both of us.”

As for Katie, she has become “the sparkling diamond” at the Thursday night Torah classes at Hineni, helping to inspire an entire adult congregation in their quest for Torah knowledge. Each week, the Rebbetzin acknowledges Katie’s mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for Torah by saying, “In order to obtain permission to stay up so late on a school night and attend the Torah class, Katie makes a deal with her dad. She offers to relinquish her allowance so she may learn Torah and that’s exactly what we’re mandated to teach our children; to sacrifice, to give of themselves for Torah and thus, become giving and caring people.”

As she held the Rebbetzin’s hand tightly and carried her chumash, Katie said, “I love coming to the Torah class. I learn so very much from the Rebbetzin and feel so loved here. The people here are so nice to me and my favorite part of the evening is when I get to spend time with Barbara Janov, (the Rebbetzin’s executive director) in her office and we talk. She always makes me feel so welcome and gives me a kiss goodbye.”

“Katie and I feel so very blessed to have Rebbetzin Jungreis as an integral part of our wonderfully supportive family and we are deeply humbled by the honor bestowed upon us. I thank the ‘love of my life,’ my exquisite Katie, for earning us this uniquely special honor. Mere words don’t seem adequate enough to express our profound gratitude and undying loyalty to the Rebbetzin for all that she has done for us and for the entire Jewish nation,” said Mr. Aryeh.

Recipients of the 2011 Hineni Founders Award were yet another two people whose lives were irrevocably changed through Rebbetzin Jungreis’ personal involvement. It all began many years ago when Rebbetzin Jungreis met and befriended Rochelle Akrongold and Deborah Storch. Both of these “holy ladies” have since passed on but their lives are inextricably intertwined due to their final wish.

Mrs. Akrongold had attended Hineni programs for many years. When she was diagnosed with cancer, the Rebbetzin visited with her on a regular basis, providing chizuk (strength) and comfort. Despite her weakened condition, she mustered up all her energy to ask the Rebbetzin to find a nice Jewish girl for her son, Barry. The Rebbetzin never forgot this appeal and after multiple attempts to set Barry up with a potential spouse, nothing seemed to work. Since the Rebbetzin achieved great success in finding  Barry’s brother Bruce his beshert, Barry was determined to keep an open mind to any suggestions made by the Rebbetzin.

Several years ago a young man named Nathan Storch approached Rebbetzin Jungreis to tell her of the plight of his mother who had been diagnosed with leukemia and needed spiritual sustenance. The Rebbetzin immediately contacted his mother. Through a series of long and personal conversations an enduring friendship was created. Her final request mirrored that of Mrs. Akrongold’s when she asked the Rebbetzin to make sure that her children find Jewish soul mates.

In February of 2009, Mrs. Storch’s daughter Rachel, was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. When Rachel met the Rebbetzin in St. Louis at an event she was co-chairing for Aish HaTorah, it was then that the Rebbetzin proposed the idea that she meet Barry Akrongold who was a Harvard Business School graduate and a real estate and investment entrepreneur in New York City. Not at all prepared for such an offer, Rachel was ambivalent, but at the same time was reluctant to turn the Rebbetzin down, so she agreed.

Several days later, after some persuasion from the Rebbetzin, Barry called Rachel. The conversation left both with “good vibes” and the Rebbetzin advised Rachel to visit Barry in New York. “We clicked from the beginning,” said Rachel, also a Harvard Business school graduate. “We had a wonderful first weekend together. I came to New York a second time, and then Barry came to St. Louis.” The notion of abandoning her career in politics, her home and most of her family caused Rachel to do some serious thinking, but 11 months later Barry proposed and Rachel was ready to embark on a new life and career in New York. On June 27, 2010, Barry and Rachel married in St. Louis with the Rebbetzin’s son, Rabbi Yisroel Jungreis officiating. Accompanying the couple under the chuppah were pictures of their respective mothers whose lifelong dreams had come true.

“Rebbitzen Jungreis gets 100% credit for our relationship. She has fulfilled the wishes of two mothers,” said Barry. This tremendous simcha, however, does not stop there. On March 30, 2011, their first child, David Rachamim, was born. “We are eternally grateful to Rebbetzin Jungreis and Hineni for the precious gift of a Jewish family and for teaching us how to build a Jewish home,” they said.  “We thank Rebbetzin Jungreis and her outstanding family for bestowing  upon us the auspicious Founders Award. There is no other organization that does more to preserve and sustain the glorious heritage of the Jewish people as Hineni. We are deeply indebted to the entire Hineni family and encourage all Jews to attend Hineni programs and classes; to get to know the Rebbetzin; to delve into the wisdom of the Torah and to allow their lives to be enhanced in indescribable ways,” said both Barry and Rachel.

“Our mission at Hineni is clear and resolute. When it comes to Torah, there are no barriers.” The magic of Torah neutralizes all obstacles and dissolves all obstructions. We have kindled that light in myriad souls and with Hashem’s help, we will continue to create countless Jewish families who will live Torah Rebbetzin Jungreis concluded.
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Fern Sidman is the New York correspondent for the Israel National News/Arutz Sheva web site. As a freelance writer, researcher and investigative journalist, her articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines.