Share Your Spirit – Pesach 5770

Dear Kosher Spirit,

Imade the Zucchini Parmesan Latkes from the Chanukah issue of Kosher Spirit and they were really incredible. I also made a separate batch without flour for my husband who is on a gluten-free diet and they came out delicious, too.

Thanks,
C. Lipskier

Remembering Rabbi Berel Levy ob”m on his 23rd yarzheit (5 nissan)

Rabbi Berel Levy, my Zaida. A loving and doting grandfather, one who was fully involved in all aspects of the lives of his grandchildren – particularly with chinuch, where his primary concern was for his family to lead a life of Torah and Yiras Shomayim – al derech Yisroel saba.

We looked up to him with reverence and awe. When he would walk into a room his presence alone would inspire us to act differently.

My family had the zechus and unique opportunity to host our Zaida and Savta every year for Pesach. Watching him lead the Pesach Seder at the head of the table, reliving the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim, is a memory I will forever cherish. Waking up on a Shabbos or Yom Tovmorning to the singsong of Zaida learning Gemara at the dining room table was an example to us of the importance Torah learning should have in our lives.

Zaida’s uncompromising stand on matters pertaining to Yiddishkeit, particularly in the kashrus field, were legendary. His Mesiras Nefesh to bring our brothers and sisters of Klal Yisroel closer to Torah and mitzvos (up to the point of traveling to Russia in the height of the Communist era notwithstanding the dangers involved), are important lessons for us grandchildren to internalize and inspire. Baruch Hashem, we have the zechus to have our Savta (yblc”t) among us who was the helping partner in all of Zaida’s accomplishments. May she be zoche to live to 120 healthy years and experience only nachas from us grandchildren.

Shlomo Gartenhaus
Menahel, Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Shmayahu
Toronto, Canada