The Kosher Bookworm: A father’s legacy

As a proud graduate of The Rabbi Jacob Joseph Schools, both elementary and high school, the Bunim name was always in our household. Their presence at many of our school functions was a part of the RJJ legacy and a living legacy to what was the “mama yeshiva’’ of America.

Longtime members of the Young Israel movement, the Bunims were there whenever the need arose during some very difficult and challenging times. The passing a month ago of Rabbi Amos Bunim, of blessed memory, brought to mind one of the earliest inspirations that ultimately resulted in my attending Yeshiva University.

Rabbi Bunim graduated Yeshiva University, magna cum laude, in 1950 with awards in Talmud, political science and Latin. In 1952 he earned his semicha from HaRav Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l, who was to become his lifelong mentor.

In his eloquent tribute to Rabbi Amos Bunim, my good friend Rabbi Yair Hoffman noted that Rabbi Bunim’s “respect for Rav Soloveitchik knew no bounds…. he was tremendously hurt when others mischaracterized him as supportive of modern innovations in Torah tradition. He would often explain that he was present when Rav Soloveitchik explained a certain point and those who characterized his view as left-wing were grossly in error.”

Rabbi Eli Herzberg, one of our community’s most distinguished educators, and Rabbi Bunim’s long time neighbor in Far Rockaway, in his tribute to Rabbi Bunim detailed the close relationship that Rabbi Bunim had with his legendary father, Irving Bunim, z’’l, whose legacy documented in the bestselling biography “A Fire in his Soul” [Feldheim, 1989].

Wrote Rabbi Herzberg, “Perhaps it is most appropriate to conclude with the words that Rabbi Bunim wrote about his own father, Irving Bunim: ‘My father was my Rebbe, mentor, and guiding force of my entire life. My soul was and continues to be bound up in his soul. Our deep relationship brought purpose and meaning to my life.

“His love for me extended beyond the parameter of father for son. He was always there when I needed him and always gave me support. He gave me inordinate strength and courage.”

I trust and hope that in light of Rabbi Amos Bunim’s passing his biography of his father will be brought back into publication so as to give a new generation the opportunity to be inspired by the Bunim example of exemplary service on behalf of their faith and their people.

What Rav Soloveitchik said of his father can also be said of the son Rav Amos z”l. “He and his words radiated light, spiritually and physically. He worked for a great ideal and gave himself completely, as a catalyst who guided a movement and was in turn guided by it. He never spoke of himself; he was humble, yet energetic and productive. He had a great sense of harmony and kindness and never tried to dominate a situation.”

I wish to conclude this tribute essay with the following that was penned by his good friend, HaRav Yechiel Yitzchok Perr of the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway :

His personal friendship,

His passion for integrity

His ‘old fashioned’ view of Torah values & behavior,

His absolute loyalty to every nuance of the teachings of the Gedolim of his time

His genuine love for Klal Yisrael and its Torah,

His deep humility and modesty will never be replaced.

Upon this sheloshim I am certain that all of Klal Yisrael joins together to say to his family, our neighbors:

May they take great comfort and true pride in his great legacy. May the legacy of his life’s work serve as a blessing to them, to us, and to all generations to come.