“Hebron is the heart of Am Yisrael,” stated Rebbetzin Jungreis, “in the merit of our Forefathers.”
(Photo: Rebbetzin Jungreis inside the Tomb of Machpela complex in 2004. Photo credit: David Wilder.)
The Jewish Community of Hebron mourns the loss of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis who passed away at the age of 80 yesterday, (August 23, 2016).
Rebbetzin Jungreis spoke at the annual Hebron Fund dinner in 2005 where she was honored with the Magen Hevron award.
David Wilder, veteran spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron called her “an educator deluxe, a lover of Eretz Yisrael and above all, a wonderful person. Passionate about Judaism, she brought multitudes of people back home to their faith, and to their people, in the US and abroad. I remember her in Hebron distributing her books to soldiers serving in the city. She always had a smile and a good word.”
Wilder interviewed her in 2004 about her life’s work and her thought on the city of Hebron.
“The Hebrew word “l’haber” is to connect. And Hebron is the connection of the people of Israel to the land of Israel,” Rebbetzin Jungreis stated.
“Hebron is the heart of Am Yisrael. When the 12 spies came to scout out the land of Israel, Caleb Ben Yefuneh did not fall into the sin of the spies because he went to Hebron. [Numbers Chapter 13]. Before the avoda would commence in the Beit HaMikdash, the Kohanim would ascend and look to see if the sun rose over Hebron. And only then would the avoda commence. [Mishnah Yoma 28a]
Everything is from Hebron because it is in the merit of the Forefathers. I always say why is Hebron a question mark and Tel Aviv is not? Hebron was purchased by Avraham Avinu with hard currency so that future generations would always know. It was the capital of King David.”
(Photo: Rebbetzin Jungreis outside the Tomb of Machpela at the site of the “seventh step.”)
In regards to her outreach to the soldiers, she distributed for free copies of her book to IDF troops stationed in Hebron. The Committed Marriage: A Guide to Finding a Soul Mate and Building a Relationship Through Timeless Biblical Wisdom, was translated into Hebrew as HaHayim B’Mehuyavut.”
“We give it away to all the soldiers in appreciation for their commitment. We honor you, we respect you, and Hashem should be with you,” she stated.
For full interview click here: http://bit.ly/estherjungreishebron
Born in Szeged, Hungary to the city’s Chief Rabbi Avroham Halevi Jungreis she later was an inmate of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp. After surviving the Holocaust, she immigrated to New York. Together with her husband Rabbi Meshuelem Halevi Jungreis, she founded Hineni, a Jewish outreach organization which has continued under her leadership until today.
In addition to The Committed Life, Rebbetzin Jungreis was the author of The Jewish Soul on Fire, The Committed Marriage, Life is a Test, Footsteps: Perspectives for Daily Life and spoke at countless lectures and classes in Israel, America and around the world.
To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact us:
United States contact info:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* Hebron in the Bible
* In Memorium: Founder of Hebron Fund Rabbi Yitzchak (Irwin) Pechman Mourned
* Jewish Community of Hebron Mourns Dr. Irving Moskowitz
