Jerusalem - American Billionaire Donates 10,000 Suits to Yeshiva Students |
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Ira RennertJerusalem - A heartwarming act of charity was performed by the well known philanthropist Ira Rennert this Pesach. He has donated 10,000 new suits to yeshiva students all over the country, with each yeshiva receiving several suits to pass out to the needy students.
The initiative was suggested by Mr. Rennert’s rabbi, Rav Aaron Bina, the rosh yeshiva of Netiv Aryeh in the Old City. He had visited Rav R’ Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, who explained to him the rampant deprivation and penury in the Torah world. He mentioned that in one Bnei Brak yeshiva, they are only giving bread and water for breakfast and supper. The administration also asked the students who could eat at home for Shabbos to leave the yeshiva, because of the yeshiva’s dire economic state.
Unfortunately, the financial state of many Torah families is not much better than this yeshiva’s. The offer of the new suits for Pesach is therefore heartwarming news to many yeshiva students and their families.
Ira Rennert ranks #132 on Forbes Magazine’s list of World Billionaires
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1
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:24 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Are the suits going to heimshe mosdos?
2
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:25 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Tzaddik!!!
3
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:31 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Are the suits going to heimshe mosdos? ”
Heimshe? What is that? A new version of Yiddishkeit? Who would determine if you are "Heimshe"? Does this suggest that any other poor jew is not entitled to Tzidakkah if they are not "heimsh"?
4
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:37 AM Confused Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Are the suits going to heimshe mosdos? ”
What part of "Yeshiva Students" is hard to understand
5
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:46 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Is it possible for him to help these yeshivas start vocational programs so these talmidim will eventually be able to support their families?
6
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:45 AM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit.
7
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:43 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
He is Rav Mordechai Rennert, Rosh Yeshiva of Derech Chaim in BP's brother. Lost millions to the Rosho Madoff.
8
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:43 AM Phil Says:Report as Inappropriate
The name of the yeshiva is Netiv Aryeh, not Netiv Bina.
9
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:42 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I heard he lost about 200 million dollars by the big ganev and he still gives so much
tzedaka than he has a heart of gold, he also donates a lot of crowns for sefer torahs.
10
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM bein adam lachaveiro Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Heimshe? What is that? A new version of Yiddishkeit? Who would determine if you are "Heimshe"? Does this suggest that any other poor jew is not entitled to Tzidakkah if they are not "heimsh"? ”
why be so accusatory? perhaps #1 is in a "heimshe" yeshiva and wants to know if he will get a new suit himself?
11
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
very nice. but the article speaks of people needing food. that comes first. sponsor food for yom tov for 10 thousand. again, very nice and act of chesed
12
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:00 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Are the suits going to heimshe mosdos? ”
The term "heimeshe" is the most abused term in Yiddishkeit today. Even on VIN, they advertise for
"heimeshe" workers or "heimeshe" cooking. A JEW is a JEW...its not like at the brissen, the mohel designates some yiddin as "heimeshe" and the rest as non-heimeshe. If a yid needs a suit for pesach, who cares what nusach he davens in or ehether he goes to an orthodox or conservative shteibel.
13
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:55 AM gevaldig Says:Report as Inappropriate
show him the respect he deserves. by the way, will they check for shatznez?
14
Mar 20, 2009 at 08:53 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
truly a tzaddik and this after losing a couple of hunderd million dollers to the GANIF B. MADDOF hashem should bless him and his family l'olim vued (he is a cousin to rabbi mordechai rennert from yeshiva derech chaim in b.p)
15
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:10 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
no. 5 is right.
They should start training these young men to follow in the path of the tanaaim and be able to earn a living.
16
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:07 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ show him the respect he deserves. by the way, will they check for shatznez? ”
No, there is no time to check 10,00 suits for Shatnes and get them into the hands of the various groups that have agreed to distribute the suits to bochurim at kolels and yeshivot. Many have already been distributed and most will be gone by the first week of April. this man is such a wonderful tzadik and role model Lets not start nitpicking about such minor concerns as shatneis. If someone is worried about it they can take the suit to be inspected on their own.
17
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:37 AM netiv aryeh bochur Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ira Rennert supports kollels/mosdos from Bnei Brak to Golan to Eilat.....he has built many many shuls and mikvaos throught Israel and has donated through Netiv Aryeh over 100 torahs to families who have lost children in terror attacks or service in the army for their respective shuls. May Hashem continue to bless him and his family spiritually and materially
18
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:58 AM ali Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why dont you all SHUT UP!!! it is his money and he can do what he wants with it. I had enough of all yidden thinking they can decide what is right and whjat is wrong for people to give!!! How do you know if he gives money for food as well or not? STOP IT!!!! be happy we have such beautiful brothers like him and everyo other succesful person who gives so much!!! you are like the guy in R' Landaus shul who literallly throws the quarter you give him back in your face because he only accepts dollars!!!
19
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:02 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
PMO... You are an indiot! You don't realize that Ira Rennert already gives millions to Yeshivas of all type throughout Eretz Yisroel and America. When you get up to Shamayim I'm sure you will receive your share for being Mivazeh possible the biggest baal Tzadaka in the Jewish world. He supports thousands of poor people in Eretz Yisroel. Hashem should Bless him that he should be able to continue to help Klal Yisroel.
20
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:07 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Me keamcha yisrael!
Y do we have to find that bad in everything? He did a huge mitzvah!
21
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:04 AM Brisker Says:Report as Inappropriate
The focus of outfitting Talmidei chachamim and their families with decent clothing, reminds me of the Bais Halevi's comments in Parshas Trumah regarding the Aron. He says that we see that the aron was composed of three boxes within each other, made of gold, wood, and gold. He interprets this homiletically regarding supporting Talmidei chachamim who are the repository for the Torah (the wood = Eitz Hachayim). The scholar surely needs gold on the inside (food), but the Torah is teaching us that he also needs to be adorned/supported with gold for the outside, with respectable clothing and living quarters.
Kudos to Ira Rennert!
Yasher Koach!
P.S. From my personal observation in Yerushalayim, the suits are distributed in an admirable and very respectable manner.
22
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:41 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This was a very generous gift. I can understand that if people have threadbare clothing, they need clothes as well as food, and a new suit can be very good for self esteem.
What's very troubling is the article's statement that many charedi families are no better off than the yeshiva that can only provide bread and water. Why are things so bad. Is it time to figure out why these families cannot put food on the table? What are the charedi leaders doing about it?
23
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:34 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
TO be honest here, he has the money, and yes suits are also a need. It is embarassing for some people to go around with torn suits.
Some Bochrim will go in to shidduchim and might have a better feeling/chance in a shidduch.
I find when you give tzedakka u can decide what is important to you. This man obviously gives tzedakka nicely and bis 120 he should continue giving for anything he feels to give.
I find it always a big mistake when people are continuesly busy with jenems tzedakkahs, jenems spendings. E1 has their own cheshban and nobody, only H' has the right to criticise.
24
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:33 AM AuthenticSatmar Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ No, there is no time to check 10,00 suits for Shatnes and get them into the hands of the various groups that have agreed to distribute the suits to bochurim at kolels and yeshivot. Many have already been distributed and most will be gone by the first week of April. this man is such a wonderful tzadik and role model Lets not start nitpicking about such minor concerns as shatneis. If someone is worried about it they can take the suit to be inspected on their own. ”
Not wanting to take away from this guy's generosity, but your comment is plain stupid.
Shatnes is not a minor stupidity the way you make it sound. Asking if the suits are shatnes- free is extremely important. This is more so, since the recent discovery of large communities being accidentaly in trangression.
You however believe, that every chosid or "heimishe" is uneducated, and therefor asking about shatnes is stupid.
It's you who say there is only one kind of jew, with no difference about heimish, yeshivish, sefardi, moder orthodox, etc. Well, I have only one torah, and my torah says shatnes is important, and since there's only one jew, then yours says it too. If you will start picking about which mitzvis a relatively minor vs. those that are important, you have given others the right to seperate jew types. A "heimishe" yid treats all 613 mitvos equally - at least in theory maybe not in action. When a "heimishe" yid steals, he doesn't say that mitzvah is not important. He admits that he did an aveirah. You however, when you wear shatnes, just say that you can't believe god is busy with such stupidities. That's why there ARE different types of jews. You have done it to yourself. Its YOU who made different classifications of yiddishkeit.
25
Mar 20, 2009 at 09:32 AM hug a cactus Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
idiot! your post is proof that no matter what kind gesture is made by anybody, some bored moron will maliciously find fault in it! it happens to be he did find out which yeshiva it was that served bread and water and then made a sizeable donation. hug a cactus!
26
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Calm Down!
1, I assume Shatnez will be checked before wearing.
2, Some people need suits, they will be very happy.
My only minor concern is that a few to each Mosod leaves some that would want but do not get, very painful for the non recipient and for the decider of who gets.
27
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:48 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
....and there will always be that one who sees the glass half empty. sad sad.
Mr. Rennert is an amazing Baal Tzedaka - you owe him an apology. What right do you have to decide what he should do with his money? i think YOU should donate atleast half as much as he did!
Yasher Koach Mr. Rennert - Hashem should shower you with lotsa bracha! Kol HaKavod :)
28
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:27 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
so the kids eat bread and water but at least they will have a new suit. wow, priorities....
29
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:26 AM Gadolwannabe Says:Report as Inappropriate
Are any of the suits a color other than black?
30
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:20 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
youre a blabbering idiot, Irta Rennert every single pesach donate millions of dollars in a joint effort with a few other wealthy jews, to make it possible for at least 20,000 (yes twenty tousand) families in Israel to be able buy matzah and wine and food for pesach, this is just ANOTHER donation of his, what have YOU done??
31
Mar 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ PMO... You are an indiot! You don't realize that Ira Rennert already gives millions to Yeshivas of all type throughout Eretz Yisroel and America. When you get up to Shamayim I'm sure you will receive your share for being Mivazeh possible the biggest baal Tzadaka in the Jewish world. He supports thousands of poor people in Eretz Yisroel. Hashem should Bless him that he should be able to continue to help Klal Yisroel. ”
I realize that I should have been clearer. I in no way doubt his generosity, or his motives and I am aware of many of his other contributions and did not mean to take away from them. Looking back at what I wrote I do owe him an apology. I used this to illustrate a point and at the same time I took away from his generosity. That was not my intention, and again I apologize.
My point was that we should think more carefully about how our charitable funds are spent. Far too much is spent on frivolous things. When there are those who don't have food or can't afford rent, or can't afford for their children to go to yeshiva... the rest seems superficial to me.
32
Mar 20, 2009 at 11:27 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He is Rav Mordechai Rennert, Rosh Yeshiva of Derech Chaim in BP's brother. Lost millions to the Rosho Madoff. ”
you are mistaken. it is not his brother. its his uncle
33
Mar 20, 2009 at 11:26 AM Ish Pashut Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ira Rennert A TON of money, millions upon million, to so many causes around Israel and the US. This is merely a tiny bit of what he has done. A true tzaddik!
34
Mar 20, 2009 at 11:21 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I love it when people have tienos on other people's tzedakah.
35
Mar 20, 2009 at 11:12 AM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
I wrote this earlier but it didn't make it on here for some reason.
I apologize for denying this wonderful man his due for his lifetime of generosity. In making my point I took away from his merit and to him personally, I apologize.
The point I was trying to make was that was that in the same breath we talk about yeshivos that don't have food for the bochrim, we are talking about donating more material things. We give these things too much attention. I would like to see us give as much attention and honor to an individual who just goes to a market to buy food and brings it over to the yeshiva, or goes to a landlord of a stuggling family and just pays their rent for a month.... or maybe you just write a check to a yeshiva and tell them to take the amount off the tuition bill of parents who are behind on payments...
Again, the lifetime of charity this man has done is undeniable and deserves our utmost respect. My criticisms were about how our culture of materialism takes too much away from the needs of others.
Mr. Rennert has my most sincere of apologies for the way in which I illustrated my point.
36
Mar 20, 2009 at 11:07 AM Steven Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
How DARE YOU!!!! A person gives what they can, whether it be money, food or G-d forbit CLOTHING!. You remind me of a man who came to my door looking for tzedaka, at the time I was unemployed, but I was able to give the man a couple of dollars. He had the nerve to say to me "I didn't come here for a couple of dollars". I told him he was right, I reached out took back the few dollars I was able to give him and said, "It's also obvious that you didn't come here for tsedaka either"
We give what we can when we can. When you count other people's money, don't be surprised if Hashem decides that your own accounts need to be balanced differently. Remember, it's never our money, all comes from Hashem and he gives and takes at his will.
37
Mar 20, 2009 at 01:21 PM joseph Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Suits? Really?
While I do believe his heart is in the right place and he certainly deserves credit for his generosity, SUITS?
You find out that yeshivos are serving bread and water to bochrim (a VERY unhealthy diet by the way) and your first thought is "These guys need a makeover!"???
This goes back to the fools who give tzedaka because they like to see their names on things. How about you just send a check, or show up with bags of good, healthy food.
We walk in to buidlings of "charities" and see $200,000 art sculptures in the lobby... always with a plaque (thats cost alone could have a yeshiva for a few days) that says "Generously Donated By Yoyo and Yaya Somethingstein". Tzedaka starts with helping people in NEED. When all the NEEDS are taken care of, then you can start working on the WANTS. Nobody NEEDS a suit. ”
thank you for advising mr rennert haow and where he should give his money
however it is before pesach if you havent looked at the calendar and pesach has been a time for new clothing for the past hundreds of years
aadditionally it is important for the yeshiva students personal self esteem as well as the appearance of a yeshiva student to the outside world that is enhanced by a new suit
kol hakavod to mr rennert
38
Mar 20, 2009 at 01:37 PM cranberry stuffer Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is beautiful. Mr. Rennert, I am a big fan of yours!
39
Mar 20, 2009 at 01:47 PM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
Again, I will sincerely apologize... you can read my last 2 posts...
Joseph (#37) Purely on your statement, I am b'n, going to skip the new clothes for myself this Pesach and bring twice as much food to the non-profit convalescent home I support. I'd rather see people have healthy food to eat, and I'll put my money where my (big and sometimes inappropriate) mouth is.
However, I learned a long time ago that the clothes (black hat, streimel, bekesher... whatever) are just a costume we wear. It is the actions that count.
40
Mar 20, 2009 at 03:19 PM the educated Says:Report as Inappropriate
pmo.....half empty or half full.....i mean your brain
41
Mar 20, 2009 at 04:14 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
When a person does a chessed, say thank you and stop trying to teach him how to do it to fit your agenda.
When I was a kid we never got new clothes. The yomtov I loved was Pesach. Every year, a certain individual who was not rich by any stretch, would pick up me and my siblings and take us to a store to buy new suits for Pesach. It made me feel like a king and we never forgot his kindness.
42
Mar 20, 2009 at 04:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ira rennert lost millions this year including with Madoff. This shows what a big bal tzedaka Mr. Rennert is. Even when he is having hard times considering he was once 132 on Forbes list, he still finds the time to help others.
If we can only see nice stories like this on a daily basis on this site instead of the garbage and loshon hora it would be great!
43
Mar 21, 2009 at 04:21 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ no. 5 is right.
They should start training these young men to follow in the path of the tanaaim and be able to earn a living. ”
when they can revive the deas like the tanaaim were able to then they'l go to work
44
Mar 21, 2009 at 04:10 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
PMO, I appreciate you have the courage to apologize and correct yourself. Everybody should accept your apology. Kol Hakavod!
45
Mar 21, 2009 at 08:57 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ you are mistaken. it is not his brother. its his uncle ”
Ira Rennert is not his brother. He's also not his uncle. He's a cousin and he generously helps to support Derech Chaim among many other mosdos ha'Torah.
46
Mar 21, 2009 at 10:01 PM A bissel seichal and ahavas yisroel Says:Report as Inappropriate
Reading these comments, I cannot avoid help wondering how many of them are plain stupid and frivolous. Is this not supposed to be a forum for serious discussion
and well considered comments rather than an outlet for leyzonus, kine and ill-will
and narrow outlook?
47
Mar 22, 2009 at 12:35 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
HE GIVES AT LEAST 2MIL EVERY YOM TOV TO THE POOR OF EY
48
Mar 22, 2009 at 12:33 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ The name of the yeshiva is Netiv Aryeh, not Netiv Bina. ”
he used to be at yeshivat hakotel...there was some crazy thing with rav moti alon
and rav bina left to start netiv aryeh
49
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM MECHEL Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ No, there is no time to check 10,00 suits for Shatnes and get them into the hands of the various groups that have agreed to distribute the suits to bochurim at kolels and yeshivot. Many have already been distributed and most will be gone by the first week of April. this man is such a wonderful tzadik and role model Lets not start nitpicking about such minor concerns as shatneis. If someone is worried about it they can take the suit to be inspected on their own. ”
SHAME ON# 16 HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT SHATNEZ IS A MINOR MITZVOH IT SAME AS KEEPING SHABBOS!!!!
50
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:08 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Ira Rennert's house is listed at the largest house in America. What a Chillul Hashem!