Satmar Rebbe: “80 Years ago our Parents asked, ‘Where Were the American Yidden?’”

By: Yitzy Fried 

At an chinuch gathering for parents of mesivta-aged bachurim in Monsey, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel addressed the event. 

Following his remarks on chinuch, the Rebbe turned to the matters consuming Klal Yisroel in these days; the situation of our brethren in Ukraine who find themselves in a dire state.  

“Both of these countries have a long history of persecuting their Yidden in the worst ways,” the Rebbe observed. “One million Yidden fled Russia and Ukraine prior to WWI, due to the terrible persecution.” 

“But in the last thirty years, beautiful communities have cropped up around Russia and Ukraine. .and now these Yidden find themselves in terrible danger… they must leave their homes, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They escape to neighboring countries, and must be fed and clothed there. 

“Rabbosai! The ground is burning in Ukraine! Eighty years ago, after the Holocaust,  our parents asked the question, ‘where were the American Yidden?!’ And the question is being asked again; ‘where are the American Yidden?! We are the American Yidden!,” the Rebbe thundered. 

“Klal Yisroel must not stand on the side, hearing the news…as though it pertains to someone else. We cannot be apathetic. Klal Yisroel must take responsibility… Klal Yisroel must help with whatever it can. 

“One who has compassion on others will merit that min haShomayim they will have compassion on us,” the Rebbe concluded.