Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha
Rabbi Ben Hollander, zekher tzadik livrakha (may the memory of the righteous be for blessing) passed away in Jerusalem on 5 Adar 1, 5768
The family is sitting Shiva at his home, 7 Asher St, Baka, Jerusalem.
After attending Bucknell University in Central Pennsylvania, Ben earned his master’s degree in 1960 at New York University.
Ben came to Israel as a youth counselor in the early 1960s and met his first wife he met his wife, Judy zt”l. He studied intensively with the late Prof. Nehama Leibowitz who raised a generation of Israeli Torah teachers, and he later became her teaching assistant. Ben zt’l continued his studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he received a second Master’s degree in Bible and education.
Ben zt”l attended the Jewish Theological Seminary where he received his Rabbinical Ordination in 1968. After making aliya in 1972, Ben zt”l shared his knowledge with underprivileged children in the Negev development town of Yerucham and did national service as a teacher in the local high school. He later taught at the at the Hebrew Union College, the Hebrew University’s one-year overseas students’ program, Machon Schechter. and various Conservative and Orthodox schools and yeshivas.
During his lifetime, Ben made frequent trips abroad as scholar-in-residence, and taught in several American cities through video-conference for the Siegal College of Jewish Studies.
Ben zt”l is survived by his daughter Elana and his sons Elie, Dvir and Netanel and many grandchildren.
Ben Hollander zt”l recently wrote
“More fundamental than loving one’s neighbor is recognizing that whether one loves one’s neighbor or whether one dislikes one’s neighbor, one is connected to that neighbor by the fact that we all share a common Father, and a divine image… mutual understanding, tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence are not a matter of good will – or liberal thinking – but part and parcel of the human condition – not a matter of love but a matter of life… G-d created us equal, and in our striving for G-d like holiness, we cannot do less than recognize each other’s humanity…the hope that, from the recognition of the mutual interdependence of Adam’s descendents, will emerge ve’ahavta lereacha kamocha – a relationship of neighborly love”
see ( http://rhr.israel.net/striving-to-be-holy)
May Ben Hollander’s unifying message coupled with his activism for tolerance and understanding, and his teachings of pluralism and peaceful coexistence empower us toward a new and better future, renewing our faith in the religious and ethical dimensions of Human Rights and restoring hope for the future of all of G-d’s creations.
May the memory Ben be for a blessing for us all.
Please scroll to the bottom of the page to add your tributes of Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha
Recent Articles and Videos by Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha
Torah Thoughts From Jerusalem: video with Rabbi Ben Hollander, Rabbi Daniel Landes, Rabbi Einat Ramon
Vaera: Peace on Earth Good Will to Men
Qedoshim: Striving to be holy
When in power, show respect for others
Parashat Mishpatim
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- Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha - February 10th, 2008
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Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in in memoriam
- Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha - February 10th, 2008
- Rabbi Max Warschawski zt"l - September 14th, 2006
- Rabbi Max Warschawski zt”l and Rabbi Abraham Deutsch zt"l - December 31st, 1992
- The childhood of Rabbi Max Warschawski zt”l - September 1st, 1935
Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in Rabbi Ben Hollander
- Rabbi Ben Hollander zekher tzadik livrakha - February 10th, 2008
g-d just received another angel.
Ben Hollander was as special as they come.
I will miss him very much while cherishing the two few times we spent together
over the past many decades in Toronto, Israel or New York.
zekher tzadik livrakha
David Frieberg
nyc
רציתי לספר לכם עוד פרק נפלא בחייו של הרב בן הולנדר
כמורה בבית ספר תיכון בירושלים בשנות ה-70
אני הייתי תלמידתו בבית הספר התיכון הניסויי ירושלים כששכן ב”ליפתא” בואדי היפיפה במבואות ירושלים
במחזור השני להיווסדו, יחד עם מורים חלוצים כרב בן הולנדר,.
בן היה המורה שלי לתנ”ך, בן פתח בפני שערים ונתן בידי צרור מפתחות אותם אני נושאת עימי עד היום - למסורת היהודית. .
לפני נסיעתי כנערה למשלחת מטעם משרד החוץ לארה”ב ניגשתי אליו וסיפרתי לו שאמרו לנו שייתכן ונאלץ לעלות לתורה בבית כנסת רפורמי או קונסרבטיבי בחו”ל.
איך עושים את זה מה זה בכלל סידור שאלתי בבהלה?
בן המורה היקר, רב אמיתי אמר לי בחוש ההומור שלו: סיון סידור זה לא תורה מסיני, או בעצם אולי כן, תלכי לחנות זאת וזאת וקני לך סידור ואני אלמד אותך איך משתמשים בו. וכך רכשתי את סידור התפילה הראשון שלי ולמדתי מהלכיו. עד היום הוא נמצא בידי.
אצל בן כל קשר ליהדות היה כה טבעי, כה פשוט במובן הנפלא של המילה
כל כך קשה לחדור את הציניות של ילדים בבית ספר תיכון ישראלי אבל לבן באישיותו הנפלאה לא היה כל קושי
לעד אנצור זיכרך
מורי ורבי היקר
יהי זכרך ברוך
סיון
הרב סיון מס
תמורה - יהדות ישראלית
המכון הגבוהה להכשרת מנהיגות יהודית
רבנות חילונית
052 3366541
02 5636931
This is a tragic loss for humanity. Ben lived and taught all the virtues of Tikun Olam. As both a gentle and wonderful teacher and scholar and activist, who not only talked the talk, but acted on behalf of those who were unable to act for themselves, Ben graced our home one Shabbat when he was a Scholar in Residence at Beth Emet the Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois. I had the distinct honor to walk with him to synagogue and to drive him to the airport. This hour and one half of his undevoted time was precious. He will be greatly missed, by all whom he touched and especially those for whom he stood up to protect their rights. The epitome of a mensch. His memory will always be for a blessing.
Ben Hollander z”l was such a passionate and inspiring teacher. I received the email announcing his death and burial minutes before entering our sancturary to lead Ma’ariv service with our 4th-6th graders. I was struck and moved by the realization that, through Ben’s decision to spend so much of his energy teaching the next generations of rabbis for Chutz L’Aretz and Ba’Aretz, he was indirectly teaching so many others. I tried to imagine how many rabbis, cantors and educators Ben taught in his years at HUC-JIR alone, and then did the quick math that, through them, Ben taught hundreds of thousands of Jews who were their students. Every time I find myself quoting a nugget of RaShI gleaned from Ben, or an observation of the world heard from his lips, I realize how blessed we were to have him as our teacher. Even above his wisdom, though, was the gentle graciousness of his heart - he really wanted you to know that he cared about you.
I taught my 4th-6th graders about Rabbi Ben Hollander z”l, and we concluded our Ma’ariv remembering him in our Kaddish Yatom. We are poorer for his loss, but what a legacy he leaves behind! Al Yisra’el ve-al Rabbanan!
I was just informed of the passing of Rabbi Ben - a true menche and family friend!
If I am correct -Parashat Mishpatim? If so, I
read one part in particular that characterizes Rabbi Ben so well. It’s a suggestion from Ramban and interpreted in the Etz Hayim chumash,
“Our standards for how we treat others must be based not on
social-utilitarian concerns, the desire for an orderly society, but on the recognition of the image of G-d in every person and the presence of G-d in every relationship.” Rabbi Ben was a wonderfully warm and loving soul whose teaching skills were the most compassionate and welcoming. He is going to be missed.Our family will greatly miss him on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashana for our traditional lunch rendevous. G-d Bless!
Love and condolences to his family.
Fondly, Marlene Black Rattner
Toronto
In November 2001 when he was a visiting Rabbi at Agudath Israel Congregation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Ben Hollander officiated at my father’s funeral. Never having met him before, I will always remember his compassion and sensitivity when discussing my father’s life and what would be said at the service. He was certainly a special person who was well suited to his calling in life. There is a definite sadness in my heart on learning of his passing.
I had the honor to know Ben from his years in Toronto in the 70’s and to learn with him after I made aliyah, in Jerusalem at the Toronto study group he enthusiastically put together. At his Shabbes table my family and I benefitted from the hospitality of both Ben and Judy and listened and learned once again. He was a man who cared deeply about Israel and all of its inhabitants.He was passionate and funny,and always had words of welcome and warmth whenever we saw him. He was a great mensch. We will miss him. May his memory be for a blessing.
This is a tragic loss for humanity. Ben lived and taught all the virtues of Tikun Olam. As both a gentle and wonderful teacher and scholar and activist, who not only talked the talk, but acted on behalf of those who were unable to act for themselves, Ben graced our home one Shabbat when he was a Scholar in Residence at Beth Emet the Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois. I had the distinct honor to walk with him to synagogue and to drive him to the airport. This very special hour and one half of Rabbi Hollander’s time was precious. He will be greatly missed, by all whom he touched and especially those for whom he stood up to protect their rights. The epitome of a mensch. His memory will always be for a blessing.
It was an honor to be a student of Ben Hollander–a very special human being with very special qualities. His insights, knowledge, and authenticity made a profound impact on me. He will surely be dearly missed by me and by the many others who studied with him. May his memory be for a blessing. My condolences to his family
Linda Dale Bloomberg, Atlanta Georgia.
During my year-in-Israel class I was fortunate enough to live on Kaf-Tet b’November when Ben z’l lived there. We often walked to or from HUC together. I learned as much in those walks as I did in any classroom. Dignity, integrity, wisdom, kindess, compassion, deceny–one of the finest human beings I knew.
Josh Aaronson
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of my most revered former teacher Rabbi Ben Hollander z”l. He was one of the first teachers and remains one of the most memorable I have ever encountered He transformed an obscure world of Rashi Hebrew and obtuse answers to non-existent questions into a world of literary, moral, and ethical beauty. He reflected the beauty of Judaism in all that he did, and bestowed this beauty to everyone he met. My condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing. Richard Ettelson, Murrieta, California
For Ben:
You only had to meet him once to be enveloped by the light that shone from his eyes. He lived Torah, he breathed it, he taught it with passion and insight and love.
The stones of Jerusalem shall weep for this man who believed in peace. Like a prophet, he could see it, and so he lived his life drawing others with him on the uphill climb.
His lopsided kippah, his fanny pack, his smile. He taught me Rashi and opened my eyes to the depths of Torah and what it means to live it and breathe it in the land of Israel.
He comforted us the day after Rabin died. He offered us strength as we sat in silence aware that the dream of Zion restored was so far from real.
“Esau didn’t bite Jacob’s neck. Why did the rabbis have to do that? Va’yishakeyu it says! He kissed him! For once, let’s leave it at that. Read the pshat. Believe in reconciliation. Believe.”
Havdalah at your house was beautiful. The fire slowly burning out. For you, there was no havdalah. No separation between teaching and living, praying and walking, dreaming and comforting. All were avodat hashem.
I called you the day I was leaving Jerusalem at the end of my year at HUC. It was the last call I made before leaving. You said, “I’m so glad that I am the last person you are calling, and I hope I will be one of the first you call when you return.” And you always were.
Rest, dear, sweet, ever-friendly, always caring, tired but tireless Ben. May you rest in peace, enveloped by the Source of peace. We will carry on your work and remember you, always.
Reni