Yerucham Gorelick
Encyclopedia
Yerucham Gorelick was a distinguished Rosh yeshiva
in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
(RIETS) for forty years (1943–1983).
In his early youth, Gorelick learned in the Lomza Yeshiva, and then spent ten years in the Chofetz Chaim's yeshiva in Radin
, where he learned with Rabbi Naftoli Trop
and Rabbi Moshe Landynski. Afterwards, he studied in Brisk
for five years under Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik until the outbreak of World War II
.
In 1938, he married a woman from Brisk, the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Yehudah Belkes, a lay leader of the community who owned a coal factory.
Rabbi Gorelick escaped with his wife and family to Vilna, and continued his studies there with Rabbi Soloveitchik in 1940.
He first served as rebbe at Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem
and involved himself in relief efforts. In 1943, Gorelik was appointed a rosh yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary where he taught Torah to thousands of students until his death. He served as rabbi in the Bronx, establishing: Beis Yaakov Beis Miriam in the Bronx; Yeshiva Gedolah L’Mitzuyanim of South Fallsburg, New York
; and Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
of Bronx, which later moved to its permanent home in South Fallsburg, New York
on the site of the former Laurel Park Hotel, which the Rabbi purchased on behalf on the Yeshiva. He left behind many writings in their original form, as well as a family of Torah scholars and roshei yeshiva. His son, Rabbi Zvi Abba Gorelick, continued as administrator of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
in South Fallsburg until his death on May 1, 2010.
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary , or Yeshivat Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan, is the rabbinical seminary of Yeshiva University, located in Washington Heights, New York. It is named after Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, who died the year it was founded, 1896...
(RIETS) for forty years (1943–1983).
Europe
Gorelick was born in Slutzk in 1911 to Rabbi Avrohom Moshe, the son-in-law of Rabbi Yerucham of Dubrov. Rabbi Yerucham of Dubrov, his namesake, was close to the Beis HaLevi, and earned the nickname, "Rav Yerucham Charif" (the Sharp One). Rabbi Avrohom Moshe served as rav in several towns in Poland. In 1927, when the Bolsheviks were persecuting the rabbis, the family immigrated to America, but Rabbi Gorelick stayed behind in Europe.In his early youth, Gorelick learned in the Lomza Yeshiva, and then spent ten years in the Chofetz Chaim's yeshiva in Radin
Radun Yeshiva
Raduń Yeshiva, originally located in Raduń, Poland , was established by the Chofetz Chaim in 1869.-Origins:In 1869 when the Chofetz Chaim returned from Vashilyshok to Raduń his first action was to establish a group to whom he could spread the knowledge of Torah...
, where he learned with Rabbi Naftoli Trop
Naftoli Trop
Rabbi Naftoli Trop was the Rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Raduń, Poland. He was a renowned Talmudist and Talmid Chacham.-Early years:...
and Rabbi Moshe Landynski. Afterwards, he studied in Brisk
Brest, Belarus
Brest , formerly also Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk , is a city in Belarus at the border with Poland opposite the city of Terespol, where the Bug River and Mukhavets rivers meet...
for five years under Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1938, he married a woman from Brisk, the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Yehudah Belkes, a lay leader of the community who owned a coal factory.
Rabbi Gorelick escaped with his wife and family to Vilna, and continued his studies there with Rabbi Soloveitchik in 1940.
America
In 1940-1941, Gorelick escaped from Europe to Japan. He arrived in America just before America entered the war in December 1941.He first served as rebbe at Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem
Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem
Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem, is one of the oldest existent yeshivot in New York City, and is renowned for being the institution led by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.-Location:The yeshiva has two campuses....
and involved himself in relief efforts. In 1943, Gorelik was appointed a rosh yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary where he taught Torah to thousands of students until his death. He served as rabbi in the Bronx, establishing: Beis Yaakov Beis Miriam in the Bronx; Yeshiva Gedolah L’Mitzuyanim of South Fallsburg, New York
South Fallsburg, New York
South Fallsburg is a hamlet in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 2,061 at the 2000 census and 2,121 according to a 2007 estimate.South Fallsburg is located within the town of Fallsburg on Route 42....
; and Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
The Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe, also known as Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, is a private Rabbinical college, or Yeshiva, located in a rural setting, in South Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York....
of Bronx, which later moved to its permanent home in South Fallsburg, New York
South Fallsburg, New York
South Fallsburg is a hamlet in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 2,061 at the 2000 census and 2,121 according to a 2007 estimate.South Fallsburg is located within the town of Fallsburg on Route 42....
on the site of the former Laurel Park Hotel, which the Rabbi purchased on behalf on the Yeshiva. He left behind many writings in their original form, as well as a family of Torah scholars and roshei yeshiva. His son, Rabbi Zvi Abba Gorelick, continued as administrator of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe
The Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe, also known as Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, is a private Rabbinical college, or Yeshiva, located in a rural setting, in South Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York....
in South Fallsburg until his death on May 1, 2010.