Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth-El in Edison, New Jersey and is the author of Theological and Halachich Reflections on the Holocaust, among other books. He serves on the New Jersey State Holocaust Commission and chairs the Holocaust Commission of the New York Board of Rabbis.
Chanukah, is a minor holiday in our calendar that has been made into a major holiday by Hallmark and Mattel toys over the years. Nevertheless, even …though Chanukah is a minor holiday like Purim it has a very and important lesson for us particularly as Jews in America today. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg]
Israeli Soldiers Are the Modern Maccabees Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Israel, Jewish Religion, OpinionBy Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg EDISON, New Jersey — The chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, claimed that Jews were murdered in the Holocaust not because of their Jewishness. “This is explained in many Jewish books,” Abbas said. “They say that Hitler killed them because of their Jewishness. Not so. They (the Nazis) fought
P.A.’s Abbas Tells Terrible Lies About the Holocaust Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Middle EastTry as we might, we cannot turn back the hands of time. But there are a few things we can do. We can face the world with our eyes open, and never allow ourselves to become accomplices by apathy again. [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Prayers for Ukrainians and an Appeal to President Zelensky Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, International, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionI personally feel no guilt for having the God-given privilege of being alive. I mourn for my grandparents, uncles, and aunts who perished at the hands of Nazi maniacs; often weeping for not having experienced their love. I cry in anguish when reminded that 6 million of my brethren, young and old, left this earth via gas chambers and crematoriums. I sense the pain of my family and friends who saw their elders shot before their very eyes and their babies hurled against brick walls and bayoneted. I experienced deep anger when I viewed the numbers branded on the arm of my father, of blessed memory. Yet I thanked God for sparing the lives of my beloved parents. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
A Child of Survivors Speaks Out Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, LifestylesIt’s our responsibility as citizens of the world to continuously hope for a better future. Our world is filled with prophets of doom and they are especially to be found in the Jewish world where many who should know better see a dark cloud for the future of American Jewry, European Jewry and the Jews of Israel. The danger is that all of these can turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Don’t listen to the prophets of doom Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, LifestylesSo many of the Holocaust survivors who I grew up with have passed away. They were all so important to me and they conveyed a special feeling that no others could. To the second and third generation I seek to offer this comfort: [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg]
From One 2nd Generation Survivor to Others Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, LifestylesAs the winds of Europe carried the stench of burning flesh, where was the world’s conscience? The ovens of Auschwitz no longer burn, yet several burning questions about the Holocaust or World War II still remain. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Do not ignore lessons of the Holocaust Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, International, Jewish History, USAShould Orthodox congregations permit Zoom services? There is debate over whether this is permissible under Jewish law (Halakhah). I am not a major Torah scholar and do not pretend to be one. The answer needs to come form the rabbinic sages of our time. However today these answers must address issues of life or death. [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Orthodox debate Zoom gatherings on Shabbat Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
This new groundbreaking work helps a generation of Jews, many of whom have felt incapable of expressing prayer when speaking about the evils and horrors of the Holocaust. At last, somebody has come up with a way to help survivors, the children of survivors, and ordinary thoughtful people who have felt as if they were wandering in the wilderness of silence. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
A Siddur for the Holocaust Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiThe idea of a Holocaust Haggadah is fabulous; we have a Tu’B’ Shevat Seder Haggadah, why not one on the Holocaust—especially since Yom HaShoah occurs within a week after Passover ends? Historically, the Passover Haggadah provided a practical template how to convey the meaning of Passover; Rabbi Rosenberg’s Holocaust Haggadah aims to create a practical syllabus on how to make the Holocaust relevant to the themes of Passover and redemption. For the children of Holocaust survivors (like myself), we must find new and creative ways to preserve the sacredness of Jewish memory. This is similar to the way the retelling of Passover serves to challenge new generations with the seminal thoughts since the time when the traditional observance of Passover ceased with the destruction of the Temple. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
A Holocaust Haggadah To Help Preserve Memory Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiSo many of us are stuck, unable to move forward. And yet, we must.
Perhaps we can learn how from Father Abraham. In the Torah, we read of the Akeda, the story (Gen. 22) of the binding of Isaac. It begins with the words: Vay’hi achar had’varim ha-eyleh (And it happened after these things). The Rashbam comments: Kol makom sh’ne’emar achar had’varim ha-eyleh, m’chubar al haparsha shel’mala (Every place where the Torah says, “After these things,” it is connected to the text above it). [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Moving forward while presidential politics remain stuck Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, USAOn November 9th 1938, mobs burned synagogues, destroyed Jewish homes and businesses, vandalized Jewish hospitals, orphanages and cemeteries, and dragged thousands of Jewish men, women and children into the streets, where they were beaten and humiliated. The Germans later called this night “Kristallnacht” – The Night of Broken Glass – because of the tons of shattered glass that scattered throughout German cities, after it had taken place. The Jews began to call that date the beginning of the Holocaust because of the tremendous violence, which started on that night and grew even more dreadful as time had passed. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
The world must remember Kristallnacht Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, International, Jewish History, USABy Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg EDISON, New Jersey — I begin with a question that Jews have been asking for millennia. Why do they hate us? This year we saw a surprising rise in anti-Semitic attacks in America—attacks that never happened before on American soil. Rav Moshe Feinstein—the prime decisor of Jewish Law of the
Why Do They Hate Us? Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USAPeople are worried about jobs, rallies, protests and yes riots. The real question now: is it more important to open up the world than to live? Is it worth partying on the beach, drinking alcohol en masse at a bar or living for a future time? Young people are dying and many are killing their parents by bringing the virus in their homes. Wake up. It is your life. Do not take it for granted. And this advice applies to people of all faiths. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Let go and Let God Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion