Mrs. Devorah (Debby) Sherer a”h never sought the limelight, though she was married to a man who represented Orthodox Judaism to the world,
Photos: ArtScroll Mesorah Publications Agudah Archives
F irst in Russia then in the States Devorah Sherer was raised in a home imbued with Torah and dedication to the klal. It was the perfect preparation for the life ahead of her. Born to Rav Shimshon Zelig and Rebbetzin Chaya Chava Fortman she was transplanted to America at the age of three. Her father became the rav of Congregation Knesseth Israel — known as the White Shul — in Far Rockaway.
In 1943 when she was 18 she married Rabbi Moshe Sherer who was working in what was then called Zeirei Agudath Israel. As newlyweds the Sherers could barely afford to put bread on the table. The situation grew so desperate that Rabbi Sherer’s friends decided to help him open a lighting business. Meanwhile Rabbi Sherer’s activities had already been noted by Mike Tress who enlisted the help of Rav Aharon Kotler Rav Gedalia Schorr and other gedolim to persuade Rabbi Sherer to continue on at Agudath Israel. “We need you more than the lighting industry ” they told him.
“My grandmother could have put her foot down and insisted that my grandfather remain in business. After all they needed money for basic necessities — food clothing shelter ” says Shrage Goldschmidt Mrs. Sherer’s grandson. “She knew that giving up the business meant going straight back to poverty. But her attitude was that if Klal Yisrael needed her husband she wouldn’t stand in the way.”
A similar situation arose in 1951 when Devorah’s father Rav Fortman passed away. The White Shul turned to Rabbi Sherer asking him to assume his father-in-law’s role. Doing so would not only afford the Sherers a sure source of income but also secure them a prestigious position. However Rav Aharon Kotler once again advised the Sherers that he had greater plans for Rabbi Sherer.
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