On Tuesday, March 17, the Sephardic Home for the Aged, located on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, was the setting for a special celebration which brought together many distinguished guests. Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar and Chief Rabbi Saul Kassin led the delegation of Sephardic rabbis, community leaders and activists. Rabbi Herschel Kurzrock and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, from the Rabbininical Alliance-Igud Harrabbonim, gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of esteemed Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shaare Zion, Rabbi Abraham B. Hecht.
Also in attendance were friends and family, including some of the children of Rabbi Hecht who live in proximity to the NY areaRebetzin Nechama Kantor, Rebetzin Esther Kaplan, both of Crown Heights and Mrs. Shoshana Fasten of West Lawrence, NY, Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht of Norwalk, CT, and many of Rabbi Hechts grandchildren.
Jack Avital, community leader and chairman of the Sephardic National Alliance, was instrumental in planning the event.
As one of the spiritual leaders of Congregation Shaare Zion for more than half a century, Rabbi Hecht had an enormous effect on the Sephardic community and the entire Jewish world.
In October of 1945, he was elected rabbi of the Beth Magen David Synagogue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. From that auspicious day forward, he rose in leadership within the Syrian community, simultaneous with its impressive growth, until he was universally acknowledged and greatly respected as rabbinic leader of all Syrian Jewish communities in America.
He authored Torah books and articles, too many to enumerate, and was consulted by chief rabbis and community leaders, as well as by Israeli prime ministers and political leaders from around the world. Countless presidents, American and others, and world leaders were hosted in his modest home and brought to Shaare Zion.
As a world renown articulate orator, Rabbi Hecht has spoken freely to all types of audiences, in synagogues and public forums, including the US Congress and at the United Nations.
In 1995, Rabbi Hecht, speaking to a group of rabbis, discussed the so-called Oslo Agreement, wherein Israel conceded holy territory to an enemy entity which effectively committed itself to nothing. Rabbi Hecht understood that the concession of land, and in effect Israels buffering zones, would translate into Jews being killed. Quoting Maimonides (Rambams) Code of Jewish Law, he criticized Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin for the irresponsible treaty.
Rabbi Hecht stated that Yitzhak Rabin might be the cause of Jews being murdered and that one who may cause Jewish blood to be shed is, citing the Rambam, defined as a rodeph, and that in the times of Jewish Kingdoms, was subject to improvised execution.
The secular media ignored the Rambam quote, theoretical in modern times, and reported that Rabbi Hecht issued a fatwa (a decree by a religious leader), against Rabin.
Colossally misunderstood, Rabbi Hecht had a personal apology hand delivered to Rabin, who was assassinated shortly thereafter. Remembering the so-called fatwa, the secular media, here and in Israel, pounced on Rabbi Hecht. Under pressure, the Shaare Zion Congregation compelled him to resign. The Israeli government, in turn, barred him from entering Israel. Slowly realizing the absurdity of blaming Rabbi Hecht, that bar was overturned at the Israeli governments own initiative but he never returned to his position at Shaare Zion.
In an emotional display, Jack Avital, Morris Bailey, Joe Cayre and Stanley Chera asked forgiveness, for themselves and on the behalf of many community members, from their life-long esteemed rabbi and spiritual leader, for not being there for him while this was happening. They invoked beloved memories and shared their expressions of appreciation to their rabbi and friend.
Michael New, Executive Director of the Sephardic Home, spoke to the crowd. Enthusiastic singing was led by Chazan Meir Levy, of the Ahi Ezer Congregation, which motivated spirited dancing around Rabbi Hecht by everyone there. The rabbi himself was enthused and raised his arms high above his head during the dancing. He embraced everyone there individually and had something special to say to each and every one in attendance.
At the dais, he was flanked by Rabbi Saul Kassin, Rabbi Yehuda Zvi Hercshel Kurzrock, Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, his son; and other respected dignitaries, including Jack Avital, Morris Bailey, Morris Mersh Franco, Joe Cayre, Stanley Chera, and David E. Cohen. Also in attendance were Rabbi Hanania Elbaz of the Ahi Ezer Congregation of Avenue X, and Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz of the Lebanese Congregation, and Rabbi Avraham Amar the spiritual leader at the Sephardic Home for the Aged and Chazzanim David Chera and Menachem Moustachi, Jojo Chehebar, Eli Gindi, Jacob Kassin and Avi Ben-Dayan.
Chief Rabbi Saul Kassin extended warm greetings to his colleague, extolling the many years of Rabbi Hechts service to the Syrian Jewish community and to the Jewish people.
The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Shlomo Amar, noted in his warm remarks that in reality he did not come to honor Rabbi Hecht but rather he, and everyone present were honored by being able to attend Rabbi Hechts 90th birthday gathering.
Everyone knows the achievements and accomplishments for Torah, Judaism and world Jewry that Harav Hagaon and Harav Hachassid Avraham Hecht Shlita has accomplished within his own community in America, as well as his exceptional leadership for Jews the world over. Here before us is a person of great kedusha and chochma (holiness and Torah wisdom). Rabbi Hecht spoke out on the issues of the day in support of the Jewish people of Israel with selfless devotion bringing the message of Torah to all, said Chief Rabbi Amar.
Rabbi Amar then blessed Rabbi Hecht to have many more years of nachat (fulfillment) and happiness from his community and from his family, his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren, until the imminent arrival of the Moshiach, Amen.
