Beloved by All

"No, no, no!" he told the caller. " How can you say you have no friends? I'm your friend."

The caller was sad and lonely. The speaker was Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov HaKohen Pam, Rosh Yeshivah of Torah Vodaath, where he taught Torah to thousands of talmidim for sixty-three years. After speaking to his "friend," the caller was less troubled, and surely less lonely.

Rav Pam blended wisdom and warmth, Torah greatness and the common touch, truth and kindness, He was the founder and moving spirit of Shuvu, and a guiding light of major organizations and institutions. It was natural that people sought his advice, assistance, and encouragement. Although his life belonged to Torah and talmidim, he found time to deal with important national and communal issues, and even the needs and problems of "ordinary" people -- because to him no Jew was ordinary.

The full-length Rav Pam biography, upon which this book is primarily based, was a best-seller, and leading rabbis and educators declared that it should be required reading. It is a textbook for a life committed to Torah and Klal Yisrael.

This new volume earns the same reception. Though geared for teenagers, it deserves the attention of all ages. It contains dozens of new stories and scores of photographs not included in the original biography. It offers a fresh look and a new perspective on one of the most beloved Torah leaders of modern times.

The book's subtitle best describes the Rosh Yeshivah: A Life of Kiddush Hashem.