One can only speculate as to the dramatic impact an actual trip by Rav Chaim Ozer to America would have had

Title: Rav Chaim Ozer’s (Almost) Trip to America

Location: Vilna, Poland

Time: 1923–1924

This column is drawn from the acclaimed and highly recommended book on Rav Chaim Ozer, newly published in Hebrew: Rabbeinu Chaim Ozer Rabban shel Kol Bnei Hagolah, Volume 2, by Rav Dovid Kamenetsky.

One of the many topics discussed at the first Knessiah Gedolah of Agudas Yisrael, held in Vienna during the summer of 1923, was the dire financial straits of the many mosdos haTorah throughout Eastern Europe, still reeling from the utter devastation wrought by the travails of World War I.

At the ninth session of this forum, Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung proposed to have Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzenski of Vilna, along with the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, personally travel to the United States to secure desperately needed funds, as well as to establish a long-term fundraising apparatus on behalf of Europe’s yeshivos. The trip was to be organized by the Central Relief Committee (a.k.a. "the Central Relief"), the American Jewish organization that was doing all it could to alleviate the financial hardships of brethren in war-torn Europe.

Although Rav Chaim Ozer was in constant contact with the Central Relief, and he personally oversaw both the fundraising and distribution to many of the yeshivos, his weakened condition and ill health kept him from personally undertaking the arduous journey to the United States. Shortly after the Knessiah Gedolah, on November 11, 1923, Rav Chaim Ozer penned a letter to the Central Relief explaining his reasons for not being able to go, adding that this would apply for the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Meir Simcha as well, and describing the adverse conditions of the rehabilitation efforts undertaken for the yeshivos.

To the esteemed and honorable dear friends, distinguished Torah scholars, exceptional individuals and people of stature, the directors of the Central Relief Committee — may G-d be with them and grant them life,

After inquiring after your well-being: I received your first letter on time, and today the second letter has reached me. Even though I hurried to reply via telegram, I still wanted to elaborate further in writing and in detail.

Your honorable proposal — that a delegation of five renowned rabbis travel to America to establish a solid foundation and a lasting endowment for Torah, both in the Land of Israel and in the Diaspora — is certainly correct and important in and of itself. If it were truly possible to bring it to fruition, surely many would rise to support this effort and help establish a permanent fund for the sustenance of Torah institutions, Talmud Torah schools, and yeshivos. But what can we do when the individuals you have selected and called upon to go are essentially unavailable due to the nearly impossible conditions involved?

The great Kohanim — the distinguished Torah giant Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and the righteous genius Rav Yisrael Meir of Radin [the Chofetz Chaim] — are elderly and frail (may G-d prolong their days and years), and it is practically unthinkable for them to make such a journey. The righteous Rav Yisrael Meir told me two years ago, on multiple occasions, that he would have run like a deer to America for such a great cause, were it not for the burden of old age.

As for myself, with all my desire and deep longing to be among those who help this great endeavor — because I firmly recognize that, in our times, this is truly the foundation for the revival of Torah in the Diaspora — educating the young children and establishing the four cubits of halachah are the pillars of the House of Israel. I certainly would have fulfilled your noble request concerning this sacred matter, which I never put out of my mind and which I always contemplate.

But what can I do, my friends? My weakening health and the worsening of my condition over the past year — general weakness and various ailments — prevent me, in any way, from making such a trip during the winter months. Perhaps, with time, G-d willing, my condition will improve, and I will do my utmost to fulfill your good desire regarding this great matter. But at present, I cannot.

Meanwhile, the situation of the yeshivos and Talmud Torah schools is very distressing. If the monthly financial support — the budget for the months of September and October — continues to be delayed, we are left operating on credit and seeking temporary solutions through loans and advances. Even though there is delay, we continue to hope.

We at the Committee for Aid to Religious Institutions are doing all we can and striving to meet the needs of Torah institutions in the city and region — the Talmud Torahs and small yeshivos, and the Ramailes Yeshivah, which is under our auspices. We are exerting all our strength for the cause of the yeshivos. But if this situation continues much longer, a crisis is imminent, and the institutions are facing the threat of closure.

Even in the smaller towns, there is great competition from the “Yiddishist” groups, who are currently managing to obtain support from the People’s Relief and other organizations of the Polish public schools, where education is free. If we do not urgently expedite assistance, the danger is great.

I know that you yourselves understand the value of the great and holy work in which you are engaged, and that you will not withhold any effort to push forward — joining forces and renewing your strength to continue this vital mission. I do not know what was achieved through your efforts for the Torah institutions during the High Holy Days. Certainly, you will seek additional avenues in the coming days to sustain the institutions in both the Land and the Diaspora, for there is no alternative source or means.

Be strong and of good courage, honored friends, for the sake of our people and our holy Torah. May G-d be with you, mighty warriors, and may His will be fulfilled through your hands. With eager anticipation, I await your response — to hear all the good that is with you and to be updated on the situation in detail.

May you continue to strengthen yourselves in upholding the pillars of the altar. May the pleasantness of Hashem be upon you, and may He establish the work of your hands — forever. I esteem and honor you, and inquire after your well-being with all feelings of respect and appreciation.

I bless you with all good — forever — and with the blessing of “He who upholds the Torah.”

Chaim Ozer Grodzenski

A couple of weeks later, Rav Chaim Ozer called a general gathering of rabbis and roshei yeshivah in Vilna to discuss the situation, and who should be dispatched to the United States to save the yeshivos. Rav Chaim Ozer proposed that Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, Rav Shimon Shkop, and Rav Yechezkel Livschitz of Kalish should make the trip in lieu of himself and his senior colleagues.

Rav Chaim Ozer then dispatched another letter to the Central Relief, disclosing the resolutions of that meeting, and included his proposal for the upcoming trip. He added that a corresponding group of rabbis from Lithuania would also join the proposed trip. The Chofetz Chaim signed this letter as well.

In the interim, the Central Relief invited Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohein Kook to join this delegation, as he would represent the yeshivos in need of financial assistance in Eretz Yisrael. Rav Kook wanted to join Rav Chaim Ozer in this mission, so he sent him a letter inquiring after his travel plans. The latter replied days later, on December 14, 1923, once again elaborating on his unfortunate inability to join the mission.

To the honored and esteemed Rav, the great Gaon, etc., His Honor, our teacher and master, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohein Kook, may he live and be well,

Greetings and blessings to Your Eminence, may you live long. Your esteemed letter regarding the journey to America reached me in due time. I delayed responding because I did not have a definitive answer. In truth, the matter of traveling for the benefit of the Torah institutions — the yeshivos in the Holy Land and in the Diaspora, which are facing a terrible crisis — is very necessary. However, it was made on a condition that the great Torah leaders — the illustrious Gaon, Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, may he live and be well, and the righteous genius, the Chofetz Chaim, may he be well — would make the journey.

Last week there was a gathering of yeshivah heads here, led by the righteous Rav Yisrael Meir HaKohein, may he live and be well, and I spoke with him about the journey. He told me it was not possible. And indeed, it is unthinkable to consider such a journey for the elders, may they live long lives, may G-d prolong their days and years. As for me, considering my own weakened health, such a trip during the winter is extremely difficult.

This is the same response I gave to the Central Relief Committee. The gathering of yeshivah heads here chose two leading rabbis: The great rabbi and gaon, Rav Zalman Meltzer of Slutsk, currently residing with his son-in-law [Rav Aharon Kotler] in Kletzk; and Rav Shimon Shkop, rosh yeshivah in Grodno.

Today I received a telegram from the Central Relief Committee; they are waiting there for a delegation, and they hope Your Eminence will participate in this as well. According to what I’ve heard, Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein has already traveled to America. May Hashem be with them to bring success in establishing a firm foundation for all the yeshivos and Torah institutions throughout the Jewish Diaspora.

With respect, friendship, and honor,

Chaim Ozer Grodzenski

In a subsequent flurry of correspondence between Rav Chaim Ozer and Rav Kook regarding this travel proposal, Rav Kook mentions that the Central Relief Committee notified him that they understood that Rav Chaim Ozer was still considering making the journey himself. Rav Chaim Ozer clarified that despite his frailties, he was willing to make the sacrifice on behalf of the yeshivos, but would only possibly do so during the summer months, as the winter weather would make it impossible for him to travel with his physical limitations.

Rav Chaim Ozer noted that he thought it was futile to attempt to fundraise during the summer, as everyone is away on vacation, and it would be a challenge to meet with potential donors. He then informed Rav Kook that this specific challenge could be alleviated by making the trip during Elul.

Rav Kook then informed both Rav Chaim Ozer and the Central Relief that he believed Rav Chaim Ozer’s presence would be crucial for the mission’s success, and that the entire operation should be pushed off to the summer for that very purpose. He added that his own participation was contingent on Rav Chaim Ozer joining this noble journey, so convinced was he of the importance of Rav Chaim Ozer’s presence.

An unfortunate tragedy caused Rav Chaim Ozer to ultimately shelve the idea of traveling to the United States. Rav Chaim Ozer’s wife, Rebbetzin Leah, passed away during the winter of 1924. Thrown into mourning, and now a widower, Rav Chaim Ozer was in no condition to consider the journey.

In the end, Rav Kook, along with Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein of Slabodka, and Rav Avraham Dovber Kahana-Shapira (the Dvar Avraham) of Kovno, made the historic journey in the spring of 1924.

Rav Chaim Ozer’s participation was a public proclamation, published in the Yiddish paper Der Morgen Journal:

I was glad to hear that, thank G-d, you have already arrived safely in America to work together with the great rabbis and the dear Jews of America, in order to strengthen Torah and Judaism in the Land of Israel and in Europe. You are fortunate to have merited this great mitzvah — to be the representatives of all the rabbis of the entire world and of the holy Torah.

Our generous brothers, the Jews of America, whom Divine Providence has destined to be inscribed in holy letters in the hearts of all Jews and in the pages of eternal Jewish history, will surely provide the proper answer to the question the holy Torah is asking them: “Will this be a time of expanding and glorifying the Torah, or G-d forbid, a time of its destruction?”

The Holy One, blessed be He, has placed the keys to our spiritual treasures in the hands of our brothers, the Jews of America. All the holy Torah institutions that are barely surviving — they are in the hands of American Jewry. We are all hoping that our American brothers will save the sacred yeshivos and Torah institutions from the great destruction that threatens them.

Now is a time of emergency. Terrible and dangerous influences are beginning to take hold, threatening to tear the younger generation away from the Master of the Universe and from the holy Torah. And we are obligated to save this young generation.

I would have considered this mitzvah the greatest of my life — to work together with you, with all my strength, to save the holy Torah. But I am weak and ill, and the difficult misfortune that has befallen me has prevented me from participating in this most sacred mission.

However, you are well aware of the situation here and everywhere else. The poverty is dreadful. All the holy yeshivos and Torah institutions are entangled and drowning in debt, and their very existence is in daily danger. Our only hope is that you will succeed in creating the necessary fund for the sacred organization, Central Relief, which is reviving Torah every day in every land.

Chaim Ozer Grodzenski

One can only speculate as to the dramatic impact an actual trip by Rav Chaim Ozer to America would have had for both the yeshivos in Europe and for American Jewry as a whole.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1070)