Monsey Memories: When Beis Medrash Elyon Honored Mr. Rosner

Yitzy Fried

As our readers already know, Beis Medrash Elyon, was, and continues to be, an institution in the Monsey community—and is in many ways the pioneer institution of the orthodox community in Monsey. This week, we go back to 1968, when the yeshiva honored R’ Joel Rosner, a philanthropist of Torah causes, as we read in a local newspaper at the time.

“Beth Medrash Academy of Monsey has announced plans for its annual summer banquet. The affair will be held at the Yeshiva of Spring Valley, Sunday, October 20. The dinner will commemorate the institution’s 25th anniversary.

“In recognition of his efforts on behalf of the Jewish community, Joel H. Rosner, was chosen as the 1968 guest of honor.

Born in Bukovina, Rumania, Mr. Rosner studied at the yeshiva in Charnowitz. His father, Yitzchok Rosner, was a Chassid of the late Viznitzer Grand Rabbi. Their home was a communal establishment where the grand Rabbi often visited.

Graduated from the Mulhouse University, Mr. Rosner left Romania four days before the Russians entered. He fled to Bulgaria, and then to the United States. From 1951 until 1965 he lived in Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Hebrew school, a ritual slaughterhouse, a synagogue and a mikvah in Sao Paulo.

Immigrating to America, Mrs. Rosner settled in Brooklyn, and in 1966, he moved to Irvington. He is a director of the Kirhazer Kehillah and an active member of the Ohel Shmuel Mesivta of Irvington (this was the Kashaer yeshiva, which was located in Irvington until a fire devastated the building).

He is president of Rosed Manufacturing Company, New York City.

Following the event, it was reported that Mr. Rosner described Beis Medrosh Elyon as “a place that we find inspiration and aspiration, genius and greatness, devotion and dedication.”