LIFESTYLE → ON SITE Issue 1000 · February 21, 2024

Glass Act

Reb Ahron Hoberman embraces a unique, ageless art, finding deeper meaning amid a striking light show

Glass Act
Photos: Avi Gass
Stamped in Color

Young Ahron Hoberman scampered about near his father’s seat in shul, as little folks will do, while the venerable Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky ztz”l davened nearby. Reb Yaakov would come periodically to visit his son Reb Shmuel’s Philadephia Yeshivah, and was a familiar sight to Ahron, as his father, Rav Zev Hoberman, was a rebbi there at the time.

“Reb Yankef,” as he was affectionately known, had a soft spot for children, and he liked to knip Ahron’s cheeks, so Ahron felt pretty heimish with the prestigious Torah Vodaath Rosh Yeshivah and American Jewry’s spiritual guide.

It was Succos, and Reb Yaakov had brought his esrog to shul in his trademark style: in the original cardboard box it had been shipped in, with the postage stamps still stuck on. Ahron, who had a stamp collection, was immediately drawn to the colorful Israeli stamps.

Opting for the direct route, Ahron approached the gadol hador and asked him whether he could have the stamps on his box.

Continue reading with Mishpacha.

Create a free account to keep reading.

Everything you need to stay close to Mishpacha.