Rav Shammai Zahn nurtured a generation of Sephardi gedolim whose influence was felt all over Europe and beyond. A reunion of memories after six decades
Talmidim remember Rav Shammai Zahn ztz”l
They were a group of several dozen Moroccan teenagers on an open lorry, traveling down an English highway, singing aloud in the August sunshine. Arriving in the beautiful Lake District National Park, they’d find a scenic but sheltered spot and set up their tents for camp. Leading the group was a middle-aged, European-born rosh yeshivah, with a long beard, big smile, and overflowing heart. Of course, he would help his boys pitch the tents. He had bought them the army surplus tents and sleeping bags. He would take care of their summer fun, the same way he took care of their learning, their davening, their growth, their occasional homesickness, their clothing, their Yom Tov invitations, and even their pocket money.
When we meet a small group of these Moroccan alumni of Sunderland Yeshivah, 60 years later there is still an outpouring of gratitude and closeness to their rebbi and mentor, Rav Shammai Zahn ztz”l, who passed away in 2001.
“I tell my grandchildren, I owe my life to him.”
“I can never, ever, have enough hakarat hatov.”
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