Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Letter 5 to rabbi Juda Mintz
The following letter was written to Rabbi Juda/Yehuda Mintz from Mark, a Jewish inmate at the Fort Dix Penitentiary...
Juda,
You are an inspiration to me. Watching the quiet way you keep services in task, while adding so much by introducing us to new songs and new styles of the traditional prayers. Bringing singing into the services is, in my eyes, your greatest gift to us. To hear the group singing with your voice carrying the tunes.
You are willing to help and teach anyone, anywhere. Without a doubt, the Sunday we arrived for a Hebrew lesson to find our usual room filled with Muslims cleaning up after a breakfast meeting. Within a few moments of our arrival, you changed a tense atmosphere into one of peace and brotherhood. Using a quiet and unassuming way, you got them talking and the line from the "Grace After Meals", "May the Merciful One create brotherhood between the children of Issac and the children of Ishmael."
Weeks later I am still being called brother by Muslims who were there that Sunday morning.
I will always cherish the memory of our time together. My thoughts will be filled with lessons from the Torah studied with you and watching the way you interact with people.
Hashem blessed me with your presence in my life.
-George
Juda,
You are an inspiration to me. Watching the quiet way you keep services in task, while adding so much by introducing us to new songs and new styles of the traditional prayers. Bringing singing into the services is, in my eyes, your greatest gift to us. To hear the group singing with your voice carrying the tunes.
You are willing to help and teach anyone, anywhere. Without a doubt, the Sunday we arrived for a Hebrew lesson to find our usual room filled with Muslims cleaning up after a breakfast meeting. Within a few moments of our arrival, you changed a tense atmosphere into one of peace and brotherhood. Using a quiet and unassuming way, you got them talking and the line from the "Grace After Meals", "May the Merciful One create brotherhood between the children of Issac and the children of Ishmael."
Weeks later I am still being called brother by Muslims who were there that Sunday morning.
I will always cherish the memory of our time together. My thoughts will be filled with lessons from the Torah studied with you and watching the way you interact with people.
Hashem blessed me with your presence in my life.
-George
Letter 4 to Yehuda Mintz
The following letter was written to Rabbi Juda/Yehuda Mintz from Richard, a Jewish inmate from Fort Dix Penitentiary...
Dear Juda,
As I am now preparing to leave this institution, before doing so I want to share some of my feelings with you regarding our relationship.
Although I have only known you for a relatively short period of time, you have made a profound impression on me and I am most grateful for having had the opportunity to make your acquaintance.
I'm certain that you have amassed an impressive list of achievements and have had a positive influence on the religious lives if many people throughout your many years as a pulpit rabbi. You are a very warm, candid and sincere person to whom people can easily relate and in whom people can easily trust. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience or knowledge of your pulpit achievements; I can only imagine how effective you were.
However, from what I've observed and learned about you in our brief period of acquaintance, I know that you are an exceptional individual. I consider it a personal honor to be able to say that I know you and consider you to be amongst my good friends. You have demonstrated some unique attributes that clearly differentiate you positively from others.
One of the things that impressed me most about you was your ability to communicate effectively with many diverse elements. You were not deterred by any pre-existing strife and managed to relate well with all elements. In an environment in which many people exhibit zeal and fanaticism, you stood out as the one who would tolerate all views and still maintain your sound religious convictions. At the time we first met, I myself had taken a firm position in this polarized community. However, soon thereafter, I realized the importance of tolerance and moderation. Your interpersonal skills are truly extraordinary!
I've also been most impressed with your leadership ability. Although you are not the dynamic politician who will stand on a soap box and rally people to a cause, you are very effective in getting things done and introducing innovative ideas. It's interesting to note that all diverse elements within the community have recognized and accepted your leadership. You've enriched our religious services with the introduction of more singing. More significantly, you've introduced a regular class (Ethics of the Fathers-Pirke Avot) which has been gaining an increasing following every week. This class is much more than an opportunity to sit together, learn and discuss topics. The subject matter deals directly with how we lead our lives. What are the behavior patterns and goals that we should strive for? What are the pitfalls to avoid? I can think of no discussions that are more important to this community then the above ethics. Yet, until you took the initiative, these discussions were non-existent here!
After your arrival here, people got to know you know you quickly. In a very short time you gained the trust and respect for others. This respect was not based on your prior achievements, but based on the type of person you are. I perceive you as the "mild mannered rabbi" who is understanding and compassionate to all yet still steadfast in your religious conviction and dedication to service others.
I take pride in stating that you were one of my friends here. I hope that our paths will cross again some day in the future. I pray that G-d grant you the strength and wisdom to succeed in any future endeavors. I know that you have the skills and dedication to bring any project to successful fruition.
Please never hesitate to call on me if I can help you in any way.
With deepest feelings of brotherhood,
Richard
A COPY OF THE LETTER BELOW...
Dear Juda,
As I am now preparing to leave this institution, before doing so I want to share some of my feelings with you regarding our relationship.
Although I have only known you for a relatively short period of time, you have made a profound impression on me and I am most grateful for having had the opportunity to make your acquaintance.
I'm certain that you have amassed an impressive list of achievements and have had a positive influence on the religious lives if many people throughout your many years as a pulpit rabbi. You are a very warm, candid and sincere person to whom people can easily relate and in whom people can easily trust. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience or knowledge of your pulpit achievements; I can only imagine how effective you were.
However, from what I've observed and learned about you in our brief period of acquaintance, I know that you are an exceptional individual. I consider it a personal honor to be able to say that I know you and consider you to be amongst my good friends. You have demonstrated some unique attributes that clearly differentiate you positively from others.
One of the things that impressed me most about you was your ability to communicate effectively with many diverse elements. You were not deterred by any pre-existing strife and managed to relate well with all elements. In an environment in which many people exhibit zeal and fanaticism, you stood out as the one who would tolerate all views and still maintain your sound religious convictions. At the time we first met, I myself had taken a firm position in this polarized community. However, soon thereafter, I realized the importance of tolerance and moderation. Your interpersonal skills are truly extraordinary!
I've also been most impressed with your leadership ability. Although you are not the dynamic politician who will stand on a soap box and rally people to a cause, you are very effective in getting things done and introducing innovative ideas. It's interesting to note that all diverse elements within the community have recognized and accepted your leadership. You've enriched our religious services with the introduction of more singing. More significantly, you've introduced a regular class (Ethics of the Fathers-Pirke Avot) which has been gaining an increasing following every week. This class is much more than an opportunity to sit together, learn and discuss topics. The subject matter deals directly with how we lead our lives. What are the behavior patterns and goals that we should strive for? What are the pitfalls to avoid? I can think of no discussions that are more important to this community then the above ethics. Yet, until you took the initiative, these discussions were non-existent here!
After your arrival here, people got to know you know you quickly. In a very short time you gained the trust and respect for others. This respect was not based on your prior achievements, but based on the type of person you are. I perceive you as the "mild mannered rabbi" who is understanding and compassionate to all yet still steadfast in your religious conviction and dedication to service others.
I take pride in stating that you were one of my friends here. I hope that our paths will cross again some day in the future. I pray that G-d grant you the strength and wisdom to succeed in any future endeavors. I know that you have the skills and dedication to bring any project to successful fruition.
Please never hesitate to call on me if I can help you in any way.
With deepest feelings of brotherhood,
Richard
A COPY OF THE LETTER BELOW...
Letter 3 to Juda Mintz
The following letter was written to Rabbi Juda/Yehuda Mintz from Eli, a Jewish inmate at Fort Dix Penitentiary...
July 13, 2003
Dear Rabbi Mintz,
I hereby give you this letter, upon my departing the Federal Correction Facility at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
I cannot say nor elaborate in these few lines what my coming to know you means to me. Especially our nightly sessions of studying the famous works of "Duty of the Hearts".
I cannot say nor elaborate on your profound impact on the Jewish community here at Fort Dix. I was watching you in amazement, when in your weekly discourses and lectures, how you were able to relate to each and every inmate from such diverse backgrounds to find the proper approach to each individual.
May Hashem be with you, in all your future endeavors. One thing is for certain, just as a prophet is not allowed to withhold his prophecy, so you Rabbi Mintz are obliged to continue enlightening Jewish children for many years to come with G-D's help.
Your dear friend,
Eli
Letter 2 to Rabbi Yehuda Mintz
The following letter was written to Rabbi Juda/Yehuda Mintz from a Jewish Inmate in the Fort Dix Federal Penitentiary...
Rabbi Juda Mintz,
Dear Rabbi,
In the short time that I have known you, I have felt blessed with your wisdom and companionship.
Throughout these difficult fourteen years behind bars, I have never had a close relationship with a teacher with such wisdom and the highest of knowledge. My hope is that Hashem will give you more and more wisdom, as falling rain may fall as a blessing upon those whom are thirsty and in need of this highest of water from heaven.
Life has shown me, in some very difficult ways, and sometimes in incomprehensible forms, that we must go ahead to discover that we can leap if we can walk.
It's true; the same sun which is here showing us his wonderful light, the same star that you will see no matter where you are. May this Radiant Marvel spill over your congregation, and may the Blessed One grant you welcome in the middle of Israel soon.
From deepest within me, is my wish the Lord will bless you and keep yours; may the Lord show his favor and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his kindness and grant you peace.
May your spirit and wisdom continue to sow the seeds of Love, and so may you harvest the food of hope which your community seeks. That the marvelous Tree of Knowledge continue extending its branches to the "Birds of Heaven" So that he may find shelter... That the "full moon" will cover your heart, and that every month becomes a promise of splendor and happiness.
Put Hashem and the blessing of His Angel before you to keep you safe and give you all his wonderful teaching . So that you may complete his wonderful teaching, so that you may complete your Radiant labor...
Hashem blessed you and all your new "herds" which is blessing with presence and great heart, that wonderful Tribe which will surely receive Milk and Honey as rain from the Highest...
May Hashem work marvelous wonders in your congregation and become like the Star of Israel.
Letter 1 to Rabbi Juda MIntz
The following letter was written to Rabbi Juda/Yehuda Mintz from a Jewish Inmate at Fort Dix Federal Penitentiary....
To whom it may concern:
It has been an extreme pleasure knowing Rabbi Juda Mintz. I came to the Federal Correction Institution at Fort Dix, New Jersey as a first-time offender in November 2003. I was extremely frightened of the unknown and had a difficult time coping with thoughts of my impending incarceration. I am 54 years old, and until committing a crime two years ago I was a respected businessman and involved in civic affairs where I live. In addition, I was highly respected and very involved in my Synagogue serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for 12 years, a member of the Executive Committee as a vice president for 5 years and as treasurer for 3 years. I have always considered that being a Jew and being involved in Judaism is an important part of my life as well as my family's.
Shortly after my arrival at Fort Dix I began attending Shabbat services. It was there that I met Juda Mintz. Upon entering the room in the chapel where the services are held, not knowing anyone there, it was Juda who welcomed me with a big smile, a warm handshake and a heartily "Shabbat Shalom". As I soon realized, Juda was the official Chazan for this small group of Jewish inmates. What a blessing!
It is Juda who holds this group together. In every sense Juda has been our Rabbi. He has been eloquent in leading Friday night Shabbat services and Saturday Torah readings and study. His continuous commentary has been instructional as well as thought provoking. His constant interpretation of the psalms during Shabbat services has demonstrated his sensitivity and compassion for his "congregation". Juda has introduced different melodies for many prayers and songs, explaining their origins. As we sing, it is his voice that rises above the rest in leadership. His voice will be sorely missed but I will forever hear it in my head. Juda's leadership during Torah Study has been incomparable. He carefully has explained the weekly Parsha and provokes highly intelligent discussion on its interpretation and meaning. He has shared with us many other scholars' writings on each Parsha. Juda also stays after each weekly Torah study or meets a few of us on Sunday mornings to help with our Hebrew reading. I have found this has greatly expanded my ability to read Hebrew at Shabbat services and Torah study. Juda is a skilled and patient educator.
For me, the traits that most exemplifies Juda's skills as a Rabbi have been on a personal level. Juda has been kind and compassionate in helping me deal with this most difficult time in my life. He is a good listener and always puts a positive spin on how we must make the best of this terrible situation. He is quick to point to passages in the Torah which have helped me realize that life will be better once I have dealt with this punishment for my sins. Juda has helped me with gaining a better understanding that we all learn from our sins and will be better persons someday. He has given me the ability to help my family deal with this situation.
Personally, I will greatly miss Rabbi Juda Mintz, but am very happy he will be leaving here to continue on with a most productive life for himself. I would be honored to someday have Rabbi Mintz as the spiritual leader of my congregation. He is a scholar, an educator and has pastoral skills that exemplify his care and compassion for his congregation.
Very Truly Yours,
Steven
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