Kiruv Personified

Sitting directly across the table from me as I pose these questions is Rav Noach Weinberg, who in all probability is the most successful Rosh Yeshivah in the kiruv world during the past two generations. The questions are short. Yet the answers I receive during the subsequent ninety minutes of riveting conversation is the sum total of the Rosh Yeshivah’s accumulated wisdom and experience, including of course the Divine inspiration he has been granted, in handling much tougher questions than the ones I asked.

In trademark style, the Rosh Yeshivah answers with a parable, mixed with a personal story to illustrate.

On his arrival in Eretz Yisrael as an American yeshivah bochur, in a tan suit and white straw hat — “even Rav Hutner wore a blue suit and a white hat in those days,” says Rav Weinberg — he developed a close relationship with some older nephews, from his father’s first marriage, who were already living in Israel. In deference to their age, Rav Weinberg treated them with the respect due to one’s elders. In due time, he earned their respect in return.

“When I started making baalei teshuvah, they came to me and said: ‘Noach, what’s going on? There were big rebbeim that said they should put on their kever a sign that they’ve made five or ten baalei teshuvah. You’re making hundreds, thousands of baalei teshuvah? We knew you well back then … what’s going on? How’d you do it?’