How a Holocaust Survivor Inspired Today’s Rabbis

The stories of how Rabbi Yisroel Zev Gustman survived World War II and reestablished the Netzach Yisrael yeshiva in Jerusalem have inspired the new generation of Israeli rabbis. Meet Rabbi Kalman Flaks of the Simcha Center who teaches at Netzach as he shares stories of Rabbi Gutman’s miraculous and inspiring life.A licensed tour-guide and IDF reserve soldier, Rabbi Kalman (Keith) Flaks explains the history of the Ramailes Yeshiva in the once thriving Jewish community of Vilna. Rabbi Yisroel Zev Gustman was the last great rabbi of Vilna before the Holocaust. He was helped Jews escape the Nazis, was severely injured, and became a partisan fighter. After the war, he headed the Chabad – Lubavitch yeshiva in New York. He then made aliyah to Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood and reestablished the Ramailes Yeshiva in the historic Havatzelet House, an architectural gem built in 1925 for Gad Frumkin, one of the only Jews allowed to served on the Supreme Court during the British Mandate period.Today Rabbi Kalman Flaks teaches at the yeshiva and hosts tours and Shabbat events. For more information visit https://www.tourstoinspire.com/NOTES:* Rav Gustman: The youngest Dayan of Vilna and illustrious Rosh Yeshivah in New York and Yerushalayim by David Page, Artscroll Publications* Rabbi Gustman's Astounding Survival - Aish HaTorah* Kalman Flaks tour guide* Simcha Center Facebook page Get full access to Jewish History Moment podcast with Ben Bresky at benbresky.substack.com/subscribe