num_pages: 428
description: Born in Volozhin, Lithuania, and raised in New York in a home steeped in Jewish values and tradition, Bunim dedicated his life to furthering Orthodox Judaism and Jewish education. He was renowned for his humor and humility, his diligence and devotion, and his unﬂagging support for his fellow Jews the world over. In the post-Depression era, the youthful. dynamic Bunim left his indelible mark on Young Israel, the nascent Orthodox synagogue movement whose roots were in his own Lower East Side neighborhood. There he delivered riveting lectures on religious topics and organized synagogue youth activities. A charismatic, inspiring speaker. Young Israel became a springboard for Bunim's World War 11 activities. Together with Rabbi Aaron Kotler, he built Vaad Hatzala into an ambitious rescue organization for victims ovfthe Holocaust. Already a public speaker of note, he argued effectively for an increase in U.S. immigration quotas, and battled American indifference to the plight of Europe's Jews, publicizing Nazi atrocities, fundraising indefatigably, and even negotiating directly with the Nazis to ransom Jewish lives. With the rescue of tens of thousands to his credit, Bunim turned his attention to Jewish education. His support was instrumental in the development of the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School and the founding of Beth Medrash Gavoha. cause of Torah Umesorah in America and Chinuch Atzmai in Israel, organizations which have created far-reaching networks of religious elementary schools, thereby providing a solid and lasting foundation for the education of future generations. Irving Bunim’s achievements for American Orthodox Jewry in particular, and for world Jewry in general, were unequaled. Amos Bunim graduated in 1950 from Yeshiva College of Yeshiva University, magna cum Iaude, the recipient of awards in Talmud, Ethics, Political Science, Latin and Service. In I952 he received rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University.
language: English
title: A Fire in His Soul: Irving M. Bunim, 1901-1980, the Man and His Impact on American Orthodox Jewry
titlecomplete: A Fire in His Soul: Irving M. Bunim, 1901-1980, the Man and His Impact on American Orthodox Jewry
genres: Nonfiction, Jewish
ratings_count: 9
publisher: Feldheim Pub