The Mir Yeshiva’s escape to Shanghai - a New Perspective based on recently discovered publications

The Mir Yeshiva’s escape to Shanghai - a New Perspective based on recently discovered publications

originally written for and published in Ami Magazine

Six million - the impossibly horrific number which has come to represent the devastation of the Holocaust, represents six million individual people’s life stories which ended in tragic, vicious and preventable deaths. Each one of the deaths is a culmination of an infinite number of divinely led circumstances which led to their fate, a combination of hate and evil of the perpetrators and indifference and the turning a blind eye of the multitude of bystanders who refused to extend help to the helpless victims. Conversely, every Holocaust survivor’s life is a combination of an eternal string of miracles that led him to his survival and often occurred with the aid of countless people along the way who chose to assist, even in the most minor ways.

One of the most notable and well known stories of survival during the second world war, was the ordeal of the Mirrer Yeshiva and their eventual arrival in Shanghai where they resided through the end of the war. With the invasion of Poland by the Germans in 1939, the Yeshiva moved east towards Lithuania. The yeshiva first re-established itself in Vilna and then in Keidan, Lithuania. With the annexation of Lithuania to the Soviet Union, the Yeshiva was again forced to move and split into 4 sections which continued their studies independently in 4 different Lithuanian Towns. In the summer of 1940, it became known to students in the Yeshiva that visas were being given by the Japanese consul in Lithuania, Chiune Sugihara, and as a result, most of the Yeshiva students requested and received visas from Sugihara. Late in 1940, the Yeshiva students traveled via the trans-Siberian railroad to Vladivostok, Russia; followed by a trip by sea to Tsuruga, Japan. By March 1941, the Yeshiva reunited and operated in Kobe, Japan. A short time later, the Japanese expelled the Jews from Kobe and resettled them in Shanghai, China, then under their control.

While the story of the Mir Yeshiva’s survival has been told, researched and written about numerous times, A group of publications I discovered recently tells the story from a very different perspective, from the eyes of the supporters and activists on their behalf in the United States during this horrific period. An often overlooked horror during this dark period in world history is the despair following the often futile attempts to aid. Many times the wanted result was beyond the reach of the few and far between heroic figures who devoted their life in their attempts to assist those in need. While the Yeshiva trekked around the world facing closed doors in every direction, there was a small but selfless group of people in the United States that put every effort into assisting the Yeshiva in whatever ways possible. 

This group of people, from at least as early as the mid-1930s, formed a group titled the board of Directors and Ladies Auxiliary of the Mirrer Yeshiva, based in New York. In December of every year, they would organize a dinner to promote awareness and raise funds for the perpetually destitute Yeshiva. In honor of each of these dinners, they produced a journal which included up-to-date information about the activities of the Yeshiva and its graduates, messages from the Roshe Yeshiva, discussion of activities and funds raised on behalf of the Yeshiva and articles describing the uniqueness and importance of the Mir Yeshiva. In a recently acquired library, I came across a run of these annual journals from Dec 1936 thru Dec 1941, containing much hitherto long forgotten and unresearched information relating to this crucial period in the Yeshiva’s survival. These journals, in English, Yiddish and Hebrew detail the efforts, urgency, despair and selflessness of the individuals involved in their attempts to assist the Yeshiva throughout the entire exile period. Within, we find additionally complete lists of the Yeshiva students during their different exiles, as an attempt to locate American relatives of the students who can sign affidavits to obtain American Visas. 

The members of this organization include some of the most prominent names of American Jewry of the day. Irving M. Bunim (philanthropist and lay leader), Rabbi Simcha Soloveitchik (son of the Beis Halevi), R. Hirsch Manischewitz (Manischewitz Baking Co), R. Zvi Hirsch Masliansky (Famed American Maggid), Gedaliah Bublick (Yiddish writer and Zionist leader) and Harry Fischel (businessman and philanthropist) can be found between the scores of names of directors and members of this organization. An equal portion of the volumes contain the names and activities of the Ladies Auxiliary committee, led by Mrs. Rose Meltzer, as well as articles by Mrs Meltzer describing the activities of the committee. Under Mrs. Meltzer’s guidance, the Ladies Auxiliary organized societies supporting the Mir in various American Cities, popularizing a campaign where women would give donations to the Yeshiva during Candle Lighting on Friday Nights. 

Below are selected excerpts from these journals that can shed some insight on the activities of the American supporters during this period and their devotion to the Yeshiva in the period leading up to the war. The first journals appeared during the relative stability of the late 1930s but still a period of extreme financial hardships that was the lot of most of the Jews in Eastern Europe during this period. As the situation in Eastern Europe deteriorated, the contents of the journals took on a keener sense of urgency and hovering despair. A glimpse into some of these journals' contents gives insight on the activities of this select group of people whose life revolved around the support and survival of the Yeshiva. 

From the Sunday, Dec 20, 1936 banquet journal, Hotel St. Moritz, New York City

“The spiritual situation in the Yeshivah is superb, but its financial situation is dire due to the great costs to support the many students arriving to the Yeshiva from throughout the world. It is heartening to see that our brothers from a distance are honoring the Yeshiva by ensuring their survival and ability to continue its work, the holy work of spreading Torah throughout the Jewish People. Due to the current dire situation, there is no possibility that the Yeshiva will survive off the local torah supporters, our only hope is to bring sustenance from afar, from our brethren in America.” - from a letter by Rabbi Chaim Oizer Grodzinsky printed in the Journal, dated 10th of Kislev, 5697

From the Sunday, Dec 18, 1938 banquet journal, Hotel Sharon, New York City

“In a little village that lies in the depths of Eastern Poland, stands an old, world famed Mirrer Yeshiva. A white brick building of simple structure, yet noble in appearance, that has for numerous decades produced the greatest Rabbis, teachers and Scholars of the generation. Within the 4 walls of this Yeshivah sat and studied those who became the leaders of Jewry, scholars and Rabbis who became the recognized authorities of Jewish religious custom.

Generations have passed and the Mirrer Yeshivah still stands as a center of Torah and Jewish learning and in her large Beth Hamedrash there sit and study those young men who are destined to become the leaders and religious guides of Jewry in this generation. The Yeshivah numbers no less than 500 students and amongst them are young men from almost every country in the world, students who have graduated from English, American, Canadian, French and German universities, young men who have received their doctorates in medicine, philosophy, physics, mathematics, young men who have left promising business careers and have travelled from all corners of the globe to drink from the fountain of Jewish knowledge at this great center of Torah in Mir. There are about seventy German refugee students who have fled to Mir to take refuge in the warm hospitable Jewish Student Brotherhood which is the Mirrer Yeshivah. - By an American Student in Mirrer Yeshivah

From the Wed. Dec 20, 1939 banquet journal, Hotel Sharon, New York City

“28th of Heshvan 5700:

The tumultuous days that transpired were brief but the enormity of the troubles make them feel like scores of years have passed us. All that I can write in my letters will only be like a drop in the ocean relative to our reality, thus I will restrain myself from writing of the past and discuss the present.

With vivid miracles we managed to save from the great horrible upheaval 300 students from our Yeshiva and are here in Vilna. But upon arrival, we have not found solitude despite our many hopes. Firstly, the Yeshiva students are residing among gentiles, penniless and hungry for bread. Do not think that hungry for bread is being used here as an exaggeration, the students are literally hungry for bread. It would be superfluous to say how the hunger and troubles that befell the students has affected their health. Even the angels in heaven cry over the lot of the Torah of the Yeshiva and any heart that witnesses it will melt from the sight of the troubles. 

The very basic necessity of the Yeshiva now will cost more than $2500, and alas we have only debts and no money at this time. Therefore, the Yeshiva is under extreme pressure, who knows what will become of us in this condition, heaven forbid, the students can become ill and how will we have the funds to heal them? May our father in heaven see our suffering. “ From a Hebrew letter from Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel published in the Journal”

“Today, the Yeshivah Building in Mir is locked. Today, the Jewish Community of Poland is destroyed. It is certain that in the main hall of the Yeshivah, the communist heresy is being propagated. It is certain that the pages of the Yeshiva’s sefarim are being used to wrap salted fish. The tragedy is so great, that no words can properly describe it. Our only hope is that the student body has mostly reached Russian territory and thus alive. We can be assured that these Bene Torah will not succumb to the pressure of any regime. A Mir Yeshivah student is a stubborn man. They will prevail in the land of destruction until the opportunity arises for them to reach Eretz Yisrael. A great treasure is being held ransom, 500 lions, when will they be redeemed?” - from an article in the Journal 

“A CRY FOR HELP:

The war has brought destruction to Polish Jewry and has torn the greatest Torah centers from their century old sites and forces them into Exile. The Mirrer Yeshiva, the largest and oldest, was forced from Mir intol Vilno, and according to the last cable report is being reestablished in Kaidan, Lithuania. Large sums are necessary for the reestablishment of these great Torah treasures. The union of Orthodox Rabbis has initiated a national campaign for the resurrection of these Yeshivos. We urge all friends of Mirrer Yeshiva to lend their cooperation in this national Torah and nation saving emergency campaign. Do your share, the SOS is out. Listen to it with your ear and heart. 

Rabbi Eliezer Silver, Rabbi Israel Rosenberg, Rabbi Chaim Bloch, Hirsch Manischewitz” - Announcement appearing in the Journal

“27th of Heshvan 5700: 

In general, the future of the Yeshuva is unknown, as to settle in Lithuanian is impossible under any circumstance and to move the entire Yeshiva to America is untenable, therefore we want and are trying to obtain certificates to reach Eretz Yisrael. In Eretz Yisrael there can naturally be as well the foreign students, as to create various branches for the foreign students in different countries is not beneficial to the wellbeing of the Yeshiva. This process though will take a very long time and is unpredictable, therefore we must at the same time work on obtaining affidavits to reach America, which necessitates $8 per person monthly guarantees. Is there a method to obtain this? In brief, all our options are reliant on the efforts of the supporters in America, and if our supporters will relapse who knows what will become of us? It is naturally understood, that whoever has the capabilities to assist us is the one on whom the obligation prevails to assist.” - From a Hebrew letter from Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel

“The Mirrer Yeshiva has been a spiritual lighthouse to world Jewry throughout the past one hundred and twenty five years. To this day the Mirrer Yeshiva is considered the Maginot Line of Jewish spirit and tradition. Behind this spiritually fortified line, our persecuted people and securely face every destructive onslaught. As such it deserves the staunchest support of every Jew who cherishes the preservation of his people.”  - Rabbi Nissan Waxman, Journal editor

“We can truthfully say that in a great measure the existence of the Mirrer Yeshiva must be credited to the herculean efforts of our Ladies Auxiliaries. The Women of our Auxiliaries, and of all other Auxiliaries, have accepted as a divine right the duty of watching over the students of Torah lest they suffer provation.The “rendezvous for Torah” the home of Mrs. Golding, brought the first meeting and the first results, and from there was born the thought that the Ladies Auxiliaries of Mirrer Yeshiva must supply bread for the students. And they supplied the bread. Mrs. Meltzer worked tirelessly to advance the cause of the Yeshiva. House to house canvas for members did not seem difficult for her. Her fertile mind conceived the idea of a “Perpetual Tablet” which was placed in the Yeshiva and used to Commemorate the names of the Yeshiva supporters… Remarkable to note is that during the recent period when the fae of the Yeshiva was in balance, when it seemed that the dark forces would envelope the century old Torah light, these Auxiliaries did not lose faith or hope. They held their meetings and sequestered their funds. When the happy tidings of the Yeshiva reestablishment came by cable, they were immediate in their aid and perhaps saved hundreds of students from actual hunger.“ - Journal Article

“Some of the recent arrivals from the Yeshivah have left for Boston to study in a newly organized Yeshivah under the guidance of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, Chief Rabbi of New England. We wish them good luck and our congratulations for not having lost any time in getting back to their studies of the Torah. “ Journal Announcement 

“Important to all members and friends of the Yeshiva: You can create a perpetual memorial for your beloved ones with the establishment of a spiritual memorial in the Mirrer Yeshiva. The Yeshiva enters into an agreement in which your wishes will be fulfilled.“  - Journal Advertisement

From the Wed. Dec 18, 1940 banquet journal, Hotel Sharon, New York City

“Allow me to extend to all the friends of the Mirrer Yeshiva gathered here tonight, not to make merry and seek pleasure, but by their presence to help the Mirrer Yeshiva in its zero hour” - Morris Steinberg - treasurer and chairman of the Dinner Committee

“It is true that we are a people accustomed to be smitten and survive great historic shocks, but it must be remembered that whenever a misfortune overtook our brethren in a country or even in a part of the world, there have always been other countries who opened their gats to receive the persecuted and resettle them within their borders. Even During the darkest days of the Auto Da Fe there was the great Moslem world which stretched out its helping hand to our people in the hour of need. Now however, it is an entirely different picture. While there are more than eight million Jews entrapped in a net of horror and left at the mercy of the wickedest of the earth, there is absolutely no corner of the globe open for them and no people in the universe to offer its hospitality”  - Rabbi Nissan Waxman, Journal editor

“The tragedy is even deeper than it appears because of our lack of understanding of all this and the dearth of true Jewish leadership. The self-appointed vociferous Jewish leaders are everything but Jewish in character and spirit. Hence, their complete bewilderment and their groping in darkness in this day of trouble and rebuke.“ - Rabbi Nissan Waxman, Journal editor

“Our people live because of their faith, a faith maintained and nurtured in the synagogues and Yeshivoth of the centuries. These institutions proved the eternity of the race. So unswerving was their faith and so profound their belief in justice and truth, that they existed under the most trying circumstances. The spirit they exemplified always manifested itself in the life and tone of the nation, which looked to these institutions for the courage to endure and carry on. Many of these institutions are now in Lithuania, exiled and existing through miracles… Is it possible that these institutions which have given us, and continue to give us, lessons in courage and faith, do not in their most trying moments, deserve the faith and loyalty which they may expect from us? Will American Jewry soft-pedal their moral obligations to these Yeshivoth? Will they be guilty of gross neglect and resign themselves to the thought that these Yeshivoth can not exist?”  - Pincus Schoen, exec. Secretary, Mirror Yeshiva

“In this trying moment Rose Meltzer has doubled her energies for the Yeshiva. Her usual work which has always taxed her strength, is not sufficient, in her opinion to meet the emergency needs. She has increased her activity. Every minute of the day and part of the night is used to visit every friend and supporter of the Yeshiva. Hours are spent with each in earned solicitation for the help which should be given readily. Where once her appearance and friendly greeting was sufficient to bring favorable response she must now spend hours in exhortation to convince her friends and supporters of the Yeshiva that the Mirrer Yeshiva still exists and carried on, but that immediate help is necessary to keep body and soul together” - Journal article

“It is obligatory for every God-fearing Jew to absolve himself from all other occupations and focus exclusively on the suffering and wailing brethren which are living in constant fear…. Each and every day, their survival is a miracle brought about by the graciousness of Hashem . We have no other occupation and we shall not get distracted even for a moment, we need to just focus and how to save them”  - translated from the Hebrew letter from the Va’ad Bene Hayeshiva

“Regarding the Yeshiva, there are no words to describe the chizuk. All the members study day and night, all as one are focused on the holy spring (the Torah). I believe that never in history has there been such achievements in greatness and devotion to study. From a distance, it is impossible to understand even a fraction of this. May Hashem help us find for them sustenance and fulfill their many needs as our costs have risen to unimaginable heights, more than twice the previous expenses”  -  from a letter of R. Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir dated 11th of Heshvan 5701.

“If a dollar will only yield us 2 loaves of bread and we will be forced to survive on bread alone, we are ready to undertake all the suffering in the world in order that we can still cling on to the Torah” -  from a letter of R. Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir dated the 3rd day of Hol Hamoed Sukkot, 5701 (1940), addressed to R. A. Kalmanovich.

From the Wed. Dec 10, 1941 banquet journal, Broadway Central Hotel, New York City

“The war struck them mercilessly. Along with other Yeshivahs, the Mirrer Yeshiva with its more than 400 scholars and universally acknowledged to be the greatest was compelled to flee, and the first exile to Vilna, Lithuania was begun… It was decided to attempt a transfer of the Yeshivah, en masse, first to Japan as a temporary place of refuge and then to obtain visas for other countries that might offer permanent refuge. The venerable Dean, Rabbi L. Finkel cabled to Rabbi Kalmanowitz, the President of the Yeshiva, that they had decided to migrate. The problem of money was a difficult one. Each student needed approx. $200 for the journey to Japan and as 300 students were ready to leave, the task was a gigantic one, but it did not deter Rabbi Kalmanowitz and the friends of the Yeshivah.

Visits to Washington to try to secure visas were made, telegrams and telephone calls to relatives and friends to be ready to help their relatives, appeals to landsliet to help their friends… One group, unfortunately was stranded in Vladivostok and again herculean effort was expended until they were admitted to Japan and China… The Dean himself, Rabbi Finkel, could not receive an American visa, and fled to Palestine taking with him about 10 students who wanted to be with their spiritual leader… America was combed for relatives and friends to send affidavits. Pleas were made to the Secretary of State and the Visa Division in Washington to recognize the individuality of the group, their persecution as religious and political refugees and to effect an expedition of their visas. But the issuance of the visas was slow and tedious and to date, more than 30 have arrived in this country. 

About a month ago, word was received that Japan has insisted on the evacuation of the group and another exile commenced. Through the generous assistance of the JDC the entire group was transferred to Shanghai, China. The first cable sent deplored the inhuman conditions under which they existed, and they were sleeping on the synagogue floor and that many had become ill. “  - Pincus Schoen - executive secretary of Mirrer Yeshiva

“Under divine providence and thru a miracle, the world renowned Yeshiva of Mir, was able to save itself with the greatest portion of its faculty and student body. More than 300 actually were saved. About 250 are at present in Shanghai and the remainder about 50 in America, Canada and Palestine. The moment that these had set food in the country in America was a happy one for us. It has never occurred to us that we would see the day that students of Mirrer Yeshiva so deeply rooted in the sacred walls of the imposing building in Mir, would set foot in America. When we first saw the arriving students at the railroad station we felt a pang in our hearts. One could detect the suffering that was engraved in those faces, one could see that the pain of separation from their colleagues and Rabbis had left its mark on these unfortunate wanderers. We were sorry for the bewilderment and could note that their sudden transposition had affected them and they were groping for something to grasp. Our task is clear cut. We must make them understand that we are sympathetic and that we are ready and willing to understand and help them.” - Rose Meltzer - President of Ladies Auxiliary

“HELP SAVE A LIFE Give an affidavit to bring a student from China to America - No red tape - Confidential - no financial obligation. Please leave your name with any officer of the Yeshiva and our representative will call with full particulars. HELP SAVE A LIFE”  - an advertisement in the journal

“No words can describe the devotion and achievements that are taking place in the Yeshivah. The students are suffering greatly, but despite this, the internal energy is great. The worries we had for our spirituality in Shanghai have turned in to a blessing, as the deplorable conditions around us  have caused us to isolate ourselves and immerse ourselves in our studies. “ - from a Hebrew letter from R. Chaim Shmuelewitz in Shanghai to Rabbi Avraham Kalmanovitch, 16th of Cheshvan 5702. 

“We have received news via cable that have shaken me to the core. The descriptions of the horrid conditions which the students in Shanghai are facing and that 35 students are hospitalized and the balance are in imminent danger of getting ill. Being that all the students are residing in one synagogue and they have no ability to obtain housing. As is known, Shanghai is in constant danger of an epidemic, particularly for refugees that are residing in deplorable conditions”  - From a Hebrew letter from R. Eliezer Yehuda Finkel in Jerusalem to R. Avraham Kalmanowitz, Parashat Nitzavim 5741.