https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400366
Rabbi Meyer Fendel zt"l
My friend Barry Jacobson has written movingly about Rabbi Fendel zt"l, whose levayah will be today:
A very great man. Rabbi Fendel ran a top-notch school, as HANC excelled in both Limudei Kodesh and secular studies. The Rebbeim were literally from the gedolei hador and mechabrei sefarim on all shas. The English department produced many students who were accepted into the top universities in America. Superb teachers and lab facilities. The warmth of the school was an extension of the warmth and kindness of the Fendel home, where their Shabbos table was a Gan Eden on this earth. Everybody was welcomed with the happiest smiles, and beautiful melodies were sung till all hours, along with inspiring words of Torah, Hashkafah, analysis of current events and the situation in Israel. Always hosted Yontof mesibos, Chanukah and Purim parties and gatherings for students, friends and the entire community. Each person was special to them and kept in touch for the rest of their lives. No words to describe their true greatness and overflowing Ahavas Yisrael and Ahavas Torah. But every vort one might want to offer at the table was always analyzed for the ethical imperative. What can we learn about being a kinder, more sensitive person from the vort. He eschewed fundamentalist or extremist approaches, and always emphasized Darchei Noam. So many tens of thousands were impacted by his great work including succeeding generations of Jews and mechanchim who continued his approach. He was inspired by the Mussar Movement of Reb Yisrael Salanter, and later by Rav Kook.
In Reb Yisroel Salanter, Rabbi Fendel saw the importance of ethics and character development in many different middos. In Rav Kook Rabbi Fendel saw the importance of every Jew, no matter what his background or lack thereof. He saw how they all came together to rebuild Eretz Yisrael after so many years of Galut and suffering. And each person's effort was appreciated and made such an important contribution to the overwhelming success that Medinat Yisrael has become in so many areas. Economically, scientifically, educationally, militarily, and overall quality of life. He watched and nurtured the little State grow and grow in achievements, one by one, and that gave him much nachas. During the 73 war he and family were on Sabbatical and spent their time visiting and being mechazek injured soldiers. Couldn't do enough for every Jew. His wonderful family continues in his work which he shared with his wonderful wife, Goldie, who was the world leader in Hachnasas Orchim and Simchas Hachaim. May their memories be for a blessing, always.
Those of us who were lucky enough to be classmates of Rabbi Duv Fendel got an extra treat every Shabbos an hour before mincha, when Rabbi Meyer Fendel hosted us around his table for a gemara shiur. Following mincha we would go to a different boy's house for Shalosh Seudos, accompanied by beautiful zemiros and Divrei Torah and then daven maariv together. We always played ball together during vacations and organized our own year-round learning groups at nights, after school. West Hempstead was a beautiful place to grow up thanks to the vision and efforts of the Fendels. Those memories will never be forgotten, and these boys are still close friends 50 years later.
