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June 04, 2009
Rabbi Abraham Avrech: Happy 90th
Baruch HaShem, my father reaches his 90th year today. Born in Poland, he came to America with his mother and brother Chaim z'l, when he was 4 years old. My grandfather, Reb Shmuel, z'l, was a shochet, ritual slaughterer and mohel, specialist in ritual circumcisions.
My father attended Yeshiva Chaim Berlin and then Yeshiva University where he was ordained as a Rabbi. He enlisted as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, 42nd Division, and served during World War II and the Korean War. “The Army is the best thing that ever happened to me,” my father said. Serving until mandatory retirement, my father was honorably discharged with the rank of Colonel.
My father is one of the Greatest Generation. His family was poor, but he said: “We didn't know we were poor, everyone was poor.”
All his life my father has served family, community and country with selfless devotion.
There is no greater role model.
My father is the little boy on the left. His brother, Chaim, on the right. The woman holding their hands is my great grandmother. Miriam, my grandmother is to the rear. This photo was taken in Poland. The men in uniform are probably relatives, but I don't know who they are.
My father was a star athlete. He excelled in basketball though he's only about 5'5. This is the Yeshiva University basketball team, 1938-39. My father, center, front row, right, holds the ball. Also holding the ball is Rabbi Irving Koslowe, z'l, one of my father's best friends. Rabbi Koslowe went on to be prison Chaplain at Sing-Sing prison. His first duty was to accompany Ethel and Julius Rosenberg to their executions. “She was the strong one,” he told me, “She was a true believer. Not an ounce of remorse.”
Chaplain Avrech leads Jewish services during the Korean war. I once asked my father of what he was most proud during his service in the Army. He told me that once he led Protestant services because there was no Christian Chaplain available. “I did a real mitzvah,” he said.
This photo is captioned: “42nd Division Helicopter Flying test run with Chaplain Avrech also of the 42nd Infantry Division. Photographer: Pvt. Joseph Deflora, 7 August '56.” As you can see by the coffin attached, this helicopter was designed to transport battlefield casualties.
Touching home. My father was a fanatic baseball player. A fast and elegant short-stop, he was so talented he was scouted by the majors. But because my father is Orthodox—Shomer Shabbos, Kosher food, etc.—my father declined an offer to try out for a major league farm team. This shot was taken in a Brooklyn park where Sunday baseball was a ritual. My father is scoring the winning run at the bottom of the 9th inning. It doesn't get any better.
My father worked at Yeshiva University for over 30-years. He was Director of Community Service Division and Director of Alumni. This shot was taken in the early 50's in his YU office. As a child, when my father took me to work I just loved watching him interact with students, Rabbis, and teachers. Every once in a while a student needed a loan. Most YU students were from modest homes. My father would shoo me out of the office when he made the interest free loans from a fund he administered. He didn't want to embarrass the student.
My parents' wedding, 1943. From left to right: Reb Shmuel z'l & Miriam Avrech, z'l, my father's parents. Center: My father, my mother Mina, z'l. Left: Genia, z'l, & David Keiler, z'l, my mother's parents. Right after the wedding—I mean the very next day—my parents were gone to Texas where my father took up his duties as Army Chaplain.
Happy birthday, dad. Ad Meah V'esrim, may you reach 120 years.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at June 4, 2009 08:06 AM
Comments
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May Hashem Bless Colonel Avrech for many, many more birthdays!!
Posted by: Lance at June 4, 2009 09:26 AM
Happy birthday, Rabbi Avrech! I hope you have a wonderful celebration, and many more to come.
Posted by: DrCarol at June 4, 2009 09:34 AM
Rabbi Avrech:
Bis 120...zolst leben un zein gezunt!
Great photos, Robert. Thanks for this peek into the family.
Posted by: Pearl at June 4, 2009 09:38 AM
A Happy Birthday to your father! May he live to be 120!
Posted by: robyn at June 4, 2009 09:38 AM
Happy Birthday, Colonel Rabbi Avrech!
May Hashem Bless you and the entire Avrech family for many generations to come!
Posted by: ProphetJoe at June 4, 2009 10:49 AM
Rabbi Avrech sounds like a man of profound character. In this glimpse you have given us Robert I can tell that he has done many good things that only he and G*d know about.
And the Protestant service! Is that where you got the idea in your book - the Hebrew Kid - for the Rabbi to perform the marriage for the gentiles?
Happy birthday Rabbi Avrech.
If the world had more people like you it would be a far better place...
Posted by: Bill Brandt at June 4, 2009 11:13 AM
Stories within photos. Very nice and you must be proud. Happy Birthday Sr. Avrech.
Posted by: Simon at June 4, 2009 12:25 PM
Great photos Robert. Our fathers really were part of the greatest generation because they were willing to (and did) shed their blood for the good of the entire world and not just for themselves. They had no illusions that evil had to be confronted and not accommodated.
I am sure the soldiers were very happy to have your father perform the service. My father once attended a service performed by a Lutheran minister during their trek through Belgium because no priest was available. He always joked that Martin Luther went through a lot of trouble for just a small difference between the services.
We don't get to pick our parents. But even if we could, I doubt you would have done better than the parents G-d gave you. May your father have many more birthday celebrations.
Posted by: Johnny at June 4, 2009 02:41 PM
What a remarkable and inspiring man.
Happy birthday, Rabbi Avrech! Thank you for all you've done.
Posted by: Katherine at June 4, 2009 04:22 PM
MAZEL TOV 90 times over!!
So says the Great White North!
Very best regards.
Mark
Posted by: Mark at June 4, 2009 05:20 PM
Wish him a very happy birthday and many more from a complete stranger.
And thank him from me for his long service.
You're a lucky man to still have your father around.
Posted by: pdwalker at June 4, 2009 08:12 PM
You forgot his greatest work: Raising a son as amazing as you.
Happy birthday, Rabbi Abraham!
Posted by: Jackie at June 4, 2009 08:42 PM
Oh wow--happy birthday! :) Ninety is a lovely number. Hopefully he is doing something fun to celebrate.
I actually have been meaning to contact him. For years I have been thinking that I should get a letter from him, certifying that my parents are Jewish. (He married them). Just in case I ever meet someone and get married. I expect that to happen at around the same time the Earth crashes into the sun. But hey, you never know.
I am planning on coming to the States in the fall (probably November) and want to fly down to Florida to see Pearlie. Let me know if there is anything I should bring for him.
Posted by: Gila at June 4, 2009 09:02 PM
Wow! Bli ayin hara. Biz ah hundred und tzvantzik, plus.
Posted by: kishke at June 4, 2009 09:11 PM
Great photos, by the way.
Posted by: kishke at June 4, 2009 09:12 PM
Dear Robert: I repeat everything PDWalker said.
If you don't mind my asking, how many of your relatives got out of Europe before the Holocaust and how many were lost?
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at June 4, 2009 11:32 PM
Robert, thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your father, especially - and then the rest of your beautiful family.
I was born in 1953 and often thank God for giving me the blessing of my parents. They are also part of the Greatest Generation. They didn't see sacrifice as a big deal. It was part of life. We have so much to learn from our father, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.
Wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Beth Barnat at June 4, 2009 11:52 PM
Robert's father is 90? Isn't he totally independent and active? עד מאה ועשרים. Thanks for the bio and pictures. He could have served as a consultant to Larry Gelbart on MASH. Interesting that you say that "everyone was "poor," yet at his wedding he and his family managed to dress like royalty.
Posted by: Rena at June 5, 2009 05:44 AM
Who says life in the clergy is boring? I wonder what your dad thinks about the Korean War basically restarting as Kim Jong Il has declared the peace treaty null and void.
Posted by: Jake at June 5, 2009 05:49 AM
Everyone:
Thanks so much for all your lovely and generous birthday wishes. My father read all the comments and he is deeply touched and he too told me to express his great appreciation.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 5, 2009 08:23 AM
Mazal Tov, Abe. Ad Meah Ve'Esrim im baryus gufa unehora me'alya. Continued nachas from the children and grandchildren.
Posted by: albert hollander at June 5, 2009 01:08 PM
Happy birthday to your father Many more to come. The pictures are terrific, especially the one taken in Poland. What a little cutie.
I can't believe I have never heard of the Rosenbergs. What a fascinating story.
Posted by: Alice at June 5, 2009 01:26 PM
Sorry to be so late to the party! I'm just retired and so far it's busier than working!
Anyhow, your Dad is a mensch! (Can a gentile say such a thing? Dad did his residency at Mt. Zion in San Francisco, so I learned a number of such terms.)
You are so blessed to still have him, Robert - I lost my own Dad at 86, last year on Mother's Day.
Many Happy Returns, and I pray that the two of you will both hang around AT LEAST until 120.....
Posted by: Earl at June 5, 2009 05:52 PM
Mazal tov to a great man. Ad 120!
Posted by: Rahel at June 6, 2009 02:32 PM
Mazal Tov! He is so cool!
Posted by: Jacob da Jew at June 6, 2009 06:46 PM
Mazal tov! Ad me'ah v'esrim. Now I REALLY have no excuse not to call him. (How did he celebrate?)
Posted by: alterbentzion at June 7, 2009 03:40 PM
What a post - Happy Birthday, Abraham!
It was a privilege to meet him a few years ago before Ariel's zt'l memorial lecture. His handshake is solid as a rock.
Posted by: Jeremiah at June 7, 2009 06:04 PM
Happy Birthday colonel Avrech
Robert
What a living legend your father is. If I live a life one tenth as interesting and as noble as your father I will consider it a job well done.
Posted by: Ted at June 8, 2009 06:19 AM
A very happy birthday.Thank you for all you are to us and for always answering my questions.
Posted by: Steve Wien at June 8, 2009 05:46 PM
Was wonderful coming across this celebration. I followed your example and remained a reserve chaplain and also retired at the rank of colonel. You have always been helpful to "the boys" and it is a distinct pleasure to be able to wish you the very best upon this most significant birthday!
Many more!
Marvin Schneider
Posted by: Marvin Schneider at June 29, 2009 06:12 AM