Another Window Closes

One day I had an epiphany. I dialed my close friend, the esteemed longtime director of development of Mir Yerushalayim, Reb Mordechai Grunwald. Perhaps he’d know of an “alter Mirrer” who could regale us with tales from the world of old and help broaden the connection for the tens of thousands around the world who follow the Mir mesorah.

“Dovi, I have just the person for you,” Reb Mordechai said excitedly into the phone.

When he told me that Reb Menashe Tzvi Winkler (long past the century mark) was still with us and living with his daughter in Lakewood, I almost danced with excitement. I knew of his story from the famous photo I’d seen of Rav Elchonon Wasserman davening at the Queens kever of his father, Rav Michoel Shalom Winkler, who had passed away suddenly while fundraising in America in 1932.

I was not aware that in addition to learning in Baranovich, Reb Menashe was also a talmid of Radin, Kamenitz, and Mir who had survived the war in the most miraculous fashion in his native Denmark. In 1955, Reb Menashe moved with his family to America, where he lived in Brooklyn until moving to Lakewood some three decades ago. With the kind assistance of his grandson, Ari Griver, I was able to visit Reb Menashe in February, an experience I’ll cherish for life. With his passing last week, I felt it was important to rehash just one decade in the storied life of this incredible man.