Answering the Call

A published tribute commemorating the recent 20th yahrtzeit of my Rosh Yeshiva and mentor, Rabbi Chaim Schmelczer, zt"l, recalled the ideology that he was taught and that he espoused: "One may not shirk any responsibilities in life — of a man to his wife, of a father to his family, an individual to his fellows, the obligation to improve one's surroundings in the city in which one lives… in the country in which you live, to improve the lives of Jewish People everywhere, and the ultimate responsibility: to establish the world as a vehicle for Hashem's rule."

In Parshas Noach, the Torah seemingly downplays the righteousness of Noach compared to our other forefathers. Our Rabbis explain that the Torah means to highlight Noach's failure to fulfill his obligation towards his fellow man by not inspiring his generation to repent and avoid the destruction of the flood. The Jewish principle of areivus, or responsibility for one another, is rooted in the understanding that we are all merely parts of a whole — one family, one community, one nation. A lesson of Noach is that our attention to this obligation can define our life's work.

Whether we count ourselves among the students, alumni, or the many dear friends of Katz Hillel Day School, we all share in the obligation to further the mission of KHDS — whether it be for the benefit of our children, our neighbor's children, or our children's children.

Maintaining the excellence that we strive for at KHDS and building a foundation for future generations is no simple undertaking, and can only be achieved through our collective generosity. Whether the gift is of your time, a monetary gift, or participating in the election process so that we may continue to benefit from government-awarded grants, each and every one of your much-appreciated contributions are critical to our ability to develop Jewish leaders for generations to come.