In tribute to Rav Chaim Dov Keller ztz"l, rosh yeshivah of Telshe-Chicago

As the magazine prepared to go to press, we learned of the passing of a giant.

Rav Chaim Dov Keller, rosh yeshivah of Telshe-Chicago, wasn’t just a tower of clarity and truth in the beis medrash; he was among the first English-speaking gedolim who took that message to the people. From behind the microphone, in his major addresses at the Agudah convention and elsewhere, and at the writing desk, the Rosh Yeshivah articulated the Torah position on issues of the day.

It was he who brought the spirit of the beis medrash into the pages of the Jewish Observer, using a language and style that was contemporary, crisp, and so effective. He was that rare figure who could deliver in-depth shiurim on the sugyas of Shas, and also captivate young academics and searchers from a world beyond the beis medrash.

The yeshivah he led created a model Torah community. Its alumni have made their marks across the world as bnei Torah, sincere, erliche Yidden, and most of all, people who live according to the hallmark of Telshe — those who create a kiddush Hashem.

In a future issue, we will pay full tribute to the Rosh Yeshivah.

Yehi zichro baruch.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 824)