| They Called Him Mike Reb Elimelech Tress - His Era, Hatzalah, and the building of an
American Orthodoxy
By Yonason Rosenblum
Description: Seldom does the mere mention of a nickname draw so many emotions
from so many people: gratitude, inspiration, idealism, dedication
of a life to service of the Jewish people. To everyone, Elemelech
Gavriel (Michael G.) Tress was Mike, from great rabbis and high
government officials to youngsters on the streets and survivors he
rescued from certain death. |
They Called Him Mike |
What made this man so outstanding, so winning, so idolized?
He was as charismatic and effective a leader as the fledgling
American Orthodoxy possessed, before or since. The cause of rescue
before, during and after the Holocaust will forever be identified
with Mike Tress, and the now-thriving Agudath Israel of America is
his legacy.
He gave up a prosperous and promising business career to devote
himself -- and all his resources -- to his people. His zeal was
infectious. His blazing oratory moved mountains. He would throw
off overwhelming fatigue and rise up like a lion to help everyone
in need.
This book is the story of an extraordinary human being and many
others, famous and obscure, who shaped their time. It illuminates
a Jewish America that is virtually ignored in the standard
histories, but that is vibrant in yeshivos and neighborhoods, and
most of all in proudly productive Jewish families that conquered
the melting pot.
It tells how Mike defied the establishment to save doomed Jews.
This is a captivating, intensely moving book. It is hard to put
aside -- and its subject is impossible to forget.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yonason Rosenblum is a noted editor and author who lives with his
family in Jerusalem. He is the author of Reb Yaakov, co-author of
Lieutenant Birnbaum, and is widely acknowledged as one the finest
writers in the Jewish world. |
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