November 10, 2004
Dear YNJ Parents and
Friends,
I
am greatly pleased to inform you that the Yeshiva of North Jersey will be
renamed The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey. The rededication will take
place at our annual dinner on Sunday evening,
January 9, 2005 . This
event is long overdue. Without the
foresight, wisdom and efforts of Aaron Rosenbaum and his wife Rosalind, the
Yeshiva of North Jersey would not exist. This
is not an exaggerated statement. Every
person involved with the development of YNJ would readily agree that Aaron was
the driving force to create our yeshiva in
Bergen
County
. For
those of us who witnessed YNJs birth and development, Aaron was
affectionately known as Mr. Yeshiva.
For those who became associated with YNJ only recently, I would like to
share a few insights into Aaron and Rosalinds endeavors.
Aaron and Rosalind have been active in the Yeshiva for more than 60
years. It is their lifetime work.
They sent their first child to the Yeshiva of Jersey City (renamed the
Yeshiva of Hudson County and subsequently renamed the Yeshiva of North Jersey)
in the early 1940s. They quickly
became involved in the leadership of the school.
The flourishing of the Yeshiva in
Union City
and the establishment
of
Rogosin
Yeshiva
High School
was the result of their efforts.
In the late 1970s when the demographics of
Hudson
County
no longer included many Jewish children, Aaron
had the vision to begin a branch of the Yeshiva of Hudson County in
New Milford
. He did so despite the
protests of those who preferred that the Yeshiva of Hudson County simply close.
Without a true facility (it would be fourteen years before a permanent
home would be established in River Edge), with limited financial resources, and
with just a handful of supporters, Aaron
worked every day to see that YNJ would succeed.
When I became principal in 1983 of a small YNJ of 79 children located in
the basement of the Teaneck Jewish Center, Aaron was a daily visitor.
His encouragement, support, wisdom, efforts to pay the bills, and his
endeavors to establish a permanent home were vital.
Aarons continued close
involvement, talents and encouragement enabled YNJ to develop into the prominent
Yeshiva that it is today, housed in a wonderful facility.
Aaron and Rosalind inspire everyone with their optimism. It
is an optimism born of faith. G-d
will help is Aarons motto. Aaron
and Rosalind always have looked to the children of the Yeshiva to see a
promising future. Their ability to
find the good in everyone, to cherish the beautiful neshamos entrusted to
the Yeshiva, and to encourage educators and parents have been an immeasurable
source of strength for YNJ. Their
own children, the Senter, Scharf and Rosenbaum families, have continued their
dedication to YNJ and Klal Yisroel.
For those of you who stand firmly in the chain of the mesorah,
grasping the hands of your children who hold the promise of a future link in
that chain, please know that you also are grasping the hands of Aaron and
Rosalind Rosenbaum.
Sincerely,
Rabbi
Shmuel Goldstein, Dean
