Aish/Discovery Releases “Inspired Too — Kiruv Across America”

Inspired Too is premiering this weekend. Aish has also set up a great site, Kiruv.Com, with a wealth of Kiruv material.

By Yosef Gesser

It has been a little over a year since Aish HaTorah released its highly acclaimed film “Inspired,” which was seen by thousands in major communities nationwide. The film featured several prominent baalei teshuvah from a variety of backgrounds who related how they became connected to Yiddish-keit. These individuals testified that despite the success they had attained in their careers, they had become disenchanted with the path their lives were taking and had begun searching for more fulfillment in life.

These in-depth interviews, which included well-known personalities such as Rabbi David Gottlieb and Rabbi Leib Keleman, who have had an enormous impact in bringing others closer to Torah, clearlt demonstrated how receptive secular Jews are to learning about Judaism. It opened the eyes of the target audience — people who are frum from birth (FFB) — and made them aware of the latent potential of our as-yet-nonobservant brethren, what their mindset is and how the frum world can play a vibrant role in reaching out to them.

“Inspired Too — Kiruv Across America,” the sequel to the first “Inspired” presentation, is the brainchild of Rabbi Yitz Greenman, the executive producer of the film. Rabbi Greenman reports that “Inspired” was enormously successful in conveying the message that kiruv is both doable and effective. Yet many people question if they are capable of doing it.

The new presentation will address that question by telling the other side of the story. It will focus on the perspective of numerous individuals who grew up in the Torah world and have actively taken the step of reaching out to their estranged fellow Jews.

Viewers will have the unique opportunity to see and hear first-person accounts from people like themselves, from their own communities, who have hands-on experience in doing kiruv. They will learn that these people derive satisfaction not only from having effected positive changes in the lives of fellow Yidden, but in their own lives as well.

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, who co-produced the film, is a well-known figure in the Torah world and as a senior lecturer for the celebrated Discovery Seminars has had a tremendous impact on thousands worldwide. He is keenly aware of the tremendous strides Aish and other kiruv organizations have made in bringing countless people into the fold over the last thirty years, since the advent of the teshuvah movement.

Yet, despite the success that he and other kiruv activists have had, Rabbi Salomon bemoans the fact that so much more remains to be accomplished in order to reach the more than five million secular Jews in the United States and more than ten million worldwide who are ignorant of their heritage.

Rabbi Salomon is greatly optimistic about the impact the new presentation is expected to have on the tens of thousands of frum Jews who are needed to address the spiritual conflagration that plagues Klal Yisrael. In his words, it will be “more dramatic, emotional, much funnier” than the previous film. Attendees should be prepared to “laugh a little and cry a little, and bring a box of tissues,” he says. Above all, the film “will awaken people to do something to assist their brothers and sisters spiritually.”

Rabbi Salomon is quick to point out that this call to action regarding kiruv doesn’t mean viewers are being asked to dratically go out of their way to influence other Jews. It could be as simple as speaking to a neighbor or someone next to you on line at the store.

“People can be moved to get involved if they see it as part of their calling,” says Rabbi Salomon. “The kiruv organizations can’t do it alone.” One of Aish/Discovery’s senior lecturers who is featured in “Inspired Too” is Rabbi Eliyahu Bergstein. Rabbi Bergstein is a veteran marbitz Torah, having taught in yeshivos in Brooklyn and delivered shiurim for baalei batim prior to getting involved in kiruv at the suggestion of a rabbi he met while visiting Edmonton, Alberta, Canada several years ago. He originally undertook to teach the popular Torah Codes class, which led to his teaching other classes for Aish/Discovery.

In view of his background, he is in a unique position to understand why some members of the heimishe olam may not react positively to overtures encouraging them to get involved in kiruv. His response reflects the reality that there are enormous advantages for them in doing outreach.

One reason, Rabbi Bergstein explains, why some in the frum olam may be hesitant to talk to others about Yiddishkeit is that they are afraid of being asked questions they are not capable of answering, such as those pertaining to deep theological issues like the existence of G-d, Creation, evolution and proofs that the Torah is true. Rabbi Bergstein says such questions are rarely asked. Secular Jews by and large ask questions that are much more elementary and that the average frum individual is generally equipped to answer.

In the event that advanced inquiries are raised, one can respond, “I don’t know the answer, but I will be more than happy to look into this and get back to you.” Such a response is very appropriate since, in addition to ultimately providing an answer, it demonstrates that the frum individual is taking a sincere interest in this person and his inquiry and is willing to pursue the matter.

Secondly, in the event one doesn’t know how to respond, he should view the question as a valuable opportunity to find out the answer for his own benefit. Utilizing such an opportunity to add to one’s own storehouse of Torah knowledge is an illustration of the well-known principle “Mitalmidai yoser mekulam,” meaning that questions from one’s students serve to stimulate his own growth in Torah and ruchnius, says Rabbi Bergstein. When one is forced to focus on yesodos of Yahadus such as Torah min haShamayim, the role of Torah sheb’al peh, and the meaning of Shabbos, he gains a sense of clarity. There are valid, compelling answers to challenging questions.

Rabbi Bergstein offers another powerful motivation for people to engage in outreach by offering a perspective of Chazal concerning kiruv and influencing others. “Kol hamekayem nefesh achas b’Yisrael ke’ilu kiyem kol haTorah kulah — Anyone who spiritually saves one Jewish person is credited as having fulfilled the entire Torah” is one such statement.

Additionally, in our times, when people are constantly searching for segulos for effecting refuos, finding a shidduch, obtaining parnassah and yeshuos in numerous other areas of nisayon, our Sages offer timely advice which may not be familiar. The Gemara in Bava Metziah 85a relates, “Kol hamelamed es ben am haaretz Torah, afilu Hakadosh Baruch Hu gozeir gezeirah, mevatlah bishvilo,” meaning that teaching someone who lacks Torah knowledge has the power to nullify evil decrees.

This is based on a passuk in Yirmiyahu 15: “V’im totzi yakar mizolel kefi si’hiyeh, yashuvu heimah eilecha…” This indicates that one who brings out the best in someone who is spiritually lacking will be like Hashem’s mouth, as it were; he is, in effect, viewed by Hashem as His “spokesman” in leading that person to Torah, and as such, is worthy of Hashem’s blessings.

Some people may be reluctant to teach others, wondering how far-reaching the results will be. They may wonder if it’s worth their time and energy. To counter this erroneous perception, Rabbi Bergstein cites the first perek of Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer, which describes how Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, a young man ignorant of Torah in his late twenties, approached Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai to teach him such basics as Shema and tefillah.

The future Rabi Eliezer, however, was not satisfied with this, for he aspired to greatness in Torah. Rabban Yochanan persevered in teaching him and Rabi Eliezer eventually became his prize talmid.

While the growth of Rabi Eliezer is naturally impressive, it is especially significant that Rabban Yochanan, the Gadol Hador, didn’t delegate instruction of such an elementary nature to others but undertook the task himself. From this we see the value of such an agenda, says Rabbi Bergstein. If someone desires to learn, we must accommodate him.

Another individual active in kiruv whose activities serve as a source of inspiration for others is Mr. Jonathan Ehrman of Passaic, whose valiant efforts are spotlighted in “Inspired Too.” To illustrate the influence a layman can have on people’s lives, he relates the story of a young man, then a student at Einstein Medical School, with whom he was learning a number of years ago on a one-on-one basis at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan.

Thanks to his influence, the young man gradually starting keeping mitzvos and eventually fully embraced a life of Torah. Ultimately, he married a young frum woman who was also a student at Einstein. Today he is a doctor who lives in Monsey with his wife and six children, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Ehrman.

Openings for kiruv are readily available, points out Mr. Ehrman. Whether you are on line at the store or on a plane flight, you need to cultivate the mindset that Hashem is sending you opportunities every day. It can take the form of an invitation for a Shabbos meal; or it can be as simple as being stopped before Chanukah by a secular person who asks where to purchase Chanukah candles, and taking advantage of the situation to give a brief dvar Torah and other information about the upcoming festival.

Mr. Ehrman relates that members of the Passaic community have been very active in reaching out to unaffiliated Jews in the area. Ultimately, their contributions became part of the Project Inspire initiative that has been launched by Aish HaTorah in many communities nationwide.

Mr. Ehrman notes that his work to propel others along the road to Yiddishkeit has contributed greatly toward making him a better Jew and has provided chinuch opportunities for his childen, who have surely gained from sharing their Torah knowledge with guests who visit their home on Shabbos.

The new film will include a message from Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim. The Rosh Yeshivah’s participation in this project drives home the importance he attaches to kiruv rechokim.

A message will likewise be offered by Harav Noach Weinberg, founding Rosh Yeshivah of Aish HaTorah and the guiding force for all of its programs worldwide.

The producers point out that there is an element of koach hatzibbur at work when people view such a presentation together. This gives them the opportunity to discuss the inspiration and ideas they have gleaned and galvanizes them for action.

To purchase tickets for the film or to volunteer to assist at screenings, call 1-800-SHABBAT (742-2228).

Don’t miss this special opportunity to be “Inspired!”