28 Jul REMEMBERING A GIANT OF INSPIRATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH CHAYA SORA JUNGREIS GERTZULIN, DAUGHTER OF REBBETZIN ESTHER JUNGREIS A”H MARKING HER 10TH YAHRTZEIT
This week marks the 10th yahrtzeit of the legendary Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis a”h, a woman whose powerful voice, unwavering faith, and unconditional love for every Jew transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands around the world.
For more than five decades, the Rebbetzin dedicated herself to strengthening Jewish identity, bringing Jews closer to Torah, and reminding every person of the greatness of their own neshamah. Through her groundbreaking HINENI movement, internationally recognized lectures, bestselling books, and decades of inspirational writing, she became one of the most influential Jewish figures of the modern era.
Behind the world-renowned speaker and author was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest mission began at home. Her children saw not only the Rebbetzin who inspired packed audiences, but also the mother who gave endless love, guidance, brachos, and support.
To mark this special milestone, Ari Hirsch from The Jewish & Country Vues interviewed Chaya Sara Jungreis Gertzulin, daughter of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis a”h and a weekly columnist for The Jewish & Country Vues, to reflect on her mother’s extraordinary life, her lasting legacy, and the lessons she left for future generations.
In this heartfelt conversation, Chaya Sara shares personal memories of her mother as a parent and bubby, the story behind the historic HINENI event at Madison Square Garden, her mother’s childhood in Hungary and survival through the Holocaust, the inspiration behind her lifelong kiruv work, and the message she would want to share with Klal Yisroel today.
Ten years later, the impact of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis continues to be felt in Jewish communities across the world. Her call of “HINENI — Here I Am” remains a powerful reminder of our responsibility to answer HaShem’s call and strengthen the Jewish people.
Yehi zichra boruch.
As your family marks the 10th yahrtzeit of your mother, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, what do you miss most about her every day?
First, I want to thank you for this privilege of writing about my dear mother, Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avrohom HaLevi a”h, as we commemorate her 10th yahrtzeit on 19 Av,
Baruch HaShem, I am now a great-grandmother, yet I still miss my mother every day. I miss her sage wisdom and advice. I could ask Ima anything. From parenting, to teaching, to the perfect Shabbos recipe – Ima knew it all. I miss calling Ima and sharing good news. Whenever there was a simcha in our family, Ima would give the warmest mazel tov, as only a mother can.
I miss Ima’s brachos. Brachos that were not only given on Shabbos and Yom Tov, but whenever we spoke. Every time I visited, was another opportunity for a bracha. And, I miss Ima’s tefillos. There are times in life when we all need extra davening. I would call Ima, and she would say, “Chaya Sarale, I am opening my Tehillim right now. I am davening for you, for your children. B’ezras HaShem, it will be good.” Tefillos from a mother’s heart.
When you think back to your childhood, what is your favorite memory of your mother?
It was a magical moment, and I remember it well. But first some background info.
By the 1970s, my mother was a most popular and in-demand speaker. A kiruv pioneer who changed the lives of so many. The Rebbetzin took her battle against assimilation and intermarriage to the college campus. The ‘70s was a time of personal liberation. To many, going off to college was seen as a ticket to break free from religion. My mother realized that if these students were not reached, they would chas v’sholom be lost from Yiddishkeit. My mother even designed a HINENI van, painted with images of Har Sinai, the Aseres Hadibros, and the Shema. The van made a dramatic impact as it traveled from campus to campus.
But that wasn’t enough. The Rebbetzin saw the need to reach an even wider audience. She had a dream to make a mass event at Madison Square Garden. But how? The logistics were vast, the costs enormous. With great siyata dishmaya, she was able to convince several prominent individuals to help underwrite the event. And so, HINENI – A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING at MSG, became a reality.
The big day arrived. I remember it clearly. The crowd exceeded the Garden’s capacity. My mother begged security to let everyone in, and miraculously they listened. Even the floor around the stage was filled with people. And then, the room darkened. A spotlight shone over the stage; my mother walked out and began her message. “You are a Jew. You have created civilization. You have given birth to every ideal that has shaped mankind…. You have traveled the four corners of the earth. You have become a part of every people and yet have remained a people apart.”
The story of our people. A plea to commit to Torah. My mother closed by saying that there was one prayer that brings us back to the faith of our ancestors. A prayer that speaks to our mission in life. SHEMA YISROEL.
The Garden exploded with applause. There was not a dry eye amongst the thousands. I was so, so proud to be the Rebbetzin’s daughter.
For readers who may know her only as a world-renowned speaker and author, who was Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis at home as a mother and grandmother?
While my mother was the Rebbetzin to the world, to her children and grandchildren, she was Ima and Bubba. Ima, who helped
with homework and took us shopping. Ima, who never missed a visiting day in camp. Ima, who would take the red-eye after late
night speeches to be home to see us off to school in the morning. Ima who made family get-togethers and cooked up a storm for Shabbos and Yom Tov. Ima who made our home warm and inviting whenever I brought friends over. And Ima, to whom, following the birth of each of my children, I went “home” for some pampering.
As a bubba to her grandchildren, every birthday was remembered and celebrated. A bubba who found joy in taking her grandchildren on her speaking trips to Eretz Yisroel, Eastern Europe and even to American army bases.
I don’t know how my mother did it all.
Your mother inspired hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world. In your opinion, what made her message resonate with so many people?
My mother would often say, “Devarim hayotzim min halev, nichnasim el halev, Words that leave one heart enter another.” Her words were always from her heart.
Ima was never judgmental. Where others saw an unaffiliated Jew, a lost soul, Ima saw a pure neshama. Ima spoke to the pintele
yid within every Jew. She was able to reach people because of her unconditional love for all of Am Yisroel.
How did your mother become such a well-known and influential figure in the Jewish world? Did she ever imagine her workwould reach so many people?
My mother married my father, HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi zt”l in 1955. They began their married life as
a young rabbi and rebbetzin. They started off in Bethpage, then in 1963 moved to North Woodmere, communities of Jews who were mostly non-observant. They immersed themselves in a mission of kiruv. At the time, North Woodmere was not the vibrant,
growing Torah community, it is today.
My mother was the quintessential rebbetzin, reaching out to teach children, teens and women. Everyone loved her way of speaking. Her good name spread. One thing led to another. Shuls and schools outside the community asked her to speak at their events. One summer, my parents had the opportunity to meet Rabbi and Rebbetzin Klass, editors of The Jewish Press. My father
suggested my mother as a columnist. Thus began my mother’s weekly column, The Rebbetzin’s Viewpoint, which continued to
be published for decades. Her reputation as a speaker, writer and teacher widened.
When I think of the thousands upon thousands of lives Ima touched, I don’t believe she ever imagined her reach extending to the far corners of the world. As one rabbi who grew up in a secular home recently said, “Today, I have over 100 descendants, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom are leading full Torah lives. I think it’s fair to say that the Rebbetzin is their Bubby.” There are so many other stories just like this. Stories that would take volumes to fill.
Can you tell us about your mother’s early years? Where did she grow up, and how did those experiences shape the rest of her life?
My mother grew up in Szeged, Hungary, where her parents were the Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the city. At the time, Szeged was the second largest city in Hungary. My zeide, HaRav Avraham HaLevi Jungreis zt”l was involved in kiruv, and together with my
grandmother, Rebbetzin Miriam bas HaRav Tzvi Hirsch HaKohein zt”l, built a home open to the community. Growing up in a giving, kiruv home, left a life-long impact on my mother.
In March of 1944 the Nazis ym”s occupied Szeged. My grandparents’ home became the place where people came for chizuk during
those trying times. Soon after, my mother and her family were deported to Bergen- Belsen. Upon their arrival, my zeide gave
my mother an important job – to smile. He explained that when adults will see a young girl smile, it will give them a little hope and happiness, if just for a brief moment.
The wisdom of my zeide. To give a little girl purpose, even in the darkest of places. A lesson her father taught her – to bring joy
into another’s life, no matter where you are. That smile stayed with my mother throughout her life.
As a Holocaust survivor, how did her childhood experiences influence her mission to strengthen Jewish identity and faith?
As I said, my mother was in Bergen-Belsen as a young girl. She saw too many lives lost, including her grandparents, aunts, uncles,
and cousins.
She arrived to this country in her pre-teen years. It pained her to see so many Jews distant from their religion. Ima would invite
the children on her block into her home to join her family for Shabbos meals.
Years later, as a young rebbetzin, my mother felt that she had to do something about the tidal wave of assimilation. She would
often say that in Europe she experienced a physical Holocaust, and here in America, she is witnessing a spiritual Holocaust. A Holocaust of the soul.
Your mother was an extraordinary public speaker and wrote numerous bestselling books. Did anyone teach her how to speak and write so powerfully, and with such clarity and emotion, or was it simply a gift she developed over time?
When asked where she learned to speak so eloquently, to write so prolifically, my mother would smile and say that she was educated in Bergen-Belsen.
I was always amazed that my mother, who wasn’t born in this country, who lost years of schooling to a war-torn Europe,
who arrived in the US not having any knowledge of the English language, and never attended college, was able to become an internationally famous speaker and author. What she did learn was from my zeide, that the most important language is
the language of the heart. With his Yiddish and broken English, zeide was able to touch so many people. Her success as a powerful
speaker, lecturer and writer can be attributed to a combination of lessons learned, and talents, from Zeide and, of course, a gift from HaShem.
Was there a particular mentor, rebbe, or family member who had the greatest influence on her life and outlook?
Pirkei Avos teaches, “Da mey’ayin boso, Know from where you came.” My mother grew up in a home where the zeides, the family patriarchs were revered and honored.
My mother’s great-great-grandfather was the Menuchas Osher, HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi Jungreis zt”l, also known as the
Czenger Tzaddik. People would come from far and wide for his brachos and his amazing power of refuos. His passion to help others was legendary and passed down to his descendants. A legacy that shaped and guided every aspect of my mother’s life.
While the Menuchos Osher is the well-known patriarch of the family, the Jungreis family was also known for being a dynasty
of rabbonim in pre-war Europe. Prior to World War II, there were some 70 Jungreis rabbonim just in Hungary.
There wasn’t a class, lecture or speech in which my mother didn’t include stories and teachings from her parents, grandparents,
and prior generations, going back to the Menuchas Osher. She truly felt their presence in all her endeavors, and that it was the secret to her success.
My mother would teach that when we live a life of da mey’ayin boso, knowing from where we come, it helps us understand u’le-an ata holech, the direction we choose in life. This lesson was not reserved just for her classes but was brought home and inculcated in us children.
Your mother founded HINENI and brought
countless Jews closer to Yiddishkeit. What
inspired her to begin that movement?
As said earlier, my mother witnessed horrific events and mass murder during the Holocaust and then came to this country only to live through a different Holocaust, the Holocaust of assimilation. She would say that the world was silent and did nothing to stop
Nazi brutality, but we cannot turn a blind eye to this the spiritual Holocaust taking place in America.
My mother started HINENI – Here I Am. A name she chose because in every generation, our leaders, from Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov, to Moshe, Shmuel, and others, all answered HaShem’s call with HINENI. A word synonymous with commitment to HaShem. She would ask, who will answer HINENI in our time?
To make a visual that represented the message of HINENI, my father, who was quite artistic, created a design that became the HINENI medallion. The word HINENI was formed to resemble a rising flame. Reminding all of my mother’s words, “If you will it, the pintele yid, the spark within, will rise to become a powerful flame.” The medallion became a necklace that mother always wore, and so do us children.
She spoke to audiences ranging from
yeshiva students to college campuses and
world leaders. How did she prepare for
such different audiences?
It’s interesting. My mother didn’t prepare differently for any one audience. She would say that HaShem gave one Torah for all the
Jewish people. Her Torah teachings were the same, no matter who she was addressing. Ima never compromised herself or her teachings to appease her listeners. She spoke the truth; she said what had to be said and never sugar- coated her words. Oftentimes, there would be yeshivish, chassidish, traditional, and unaffiliated Jews at the same Torah class or speech. And somehow, my mother’s words resonated with them all.
No matter one’s standing, we all share common life issues. Issues for which the Torah has solutions. My mother was able to show how the Torah is our book of answers, no matter where we are in life.
Despite her worldwide fame, what qualities kept her humble and approachable?
Before every class or speech, my mother would say a small, silent prayer. “HaShem sefasai tiftach, u’fi yagid tehilosecha.” A personal bakasha, a request, asking HaShem to please put the right words in her mouth, giving her the ability to say His praise.
While the Rebbetzin had a larger-than- life personality, it was never about herself, but what she could do for others. My mother truly believed that her ability to reach others was a gift from HaShem. A gift that, together with z’chus avos, the merit of her ancestors, were with her.
Humbling thoughts.
What lesson did your mother emphasize most often within your own family?
When I think of lessons my mother taught us children, the first thing that comes to mind is kibud av v’eim, respecting and honoring one’s parents.
My mother taught us so much by example. I remember her starting off every day by calling Mama and Zeide, and then calling them again and again, just to say hello, and find out how they were.
Even though my mother lived in Long Island, my grandparents in Brooklyn, and her classes were mostly in Manhattan, she took every opportunity to visit Mama and Zeide, her beloved parents, on the way home. When they questioned her making the detours so often, she would tell them that Brooklyn was “on the way home” to Long Island. There was always that something they needed, and Ima was sure to bring it.
Before Yom Tov, our parents would take us to Mama and Zeide for a bracha. It was a busy time for a rabbi and rebbetzin of a growing shul, but this was important to my parents, and the family made the trip from North Woodmere to Brooklyn, no matter what.
When my mother would greet Zeide, she would kiss his hand, a sign of love and respect, and us children would follow suit.
Summertime also had its lessons for us. For many years, my mother would lecture at the Pine View Hotel in the Catskills. Ima made sure that her parents joined her for Shabbos. Even though Zeide had difficulty walking, when entering the large hotel dining room, he made it a point to stop at every table and wish all a Good Shabbos. At times it could take an hour until Zeide reached our family table. Ima would walk with Zeide, always with a smile and the utmost kavod, never rushing her father, never saying it’s hard for you and it’s really not necessary. It was something Zeide wanted to do and Ima respected that.
My mother would include stories about her parents and my father in her speeches. After they were nifter, each time she related a story or anecdote about them, she would mention their full Hebrew name, explaining that this was a kavod she could still give them.
Ima’s giving kavod extended to previous generations. At all family simchas, my mother would arrive with a shopping bag full of seforim authored by her zeides. She would place them on a table, inviting their neshamos to join the simcha, asking for their brochos from Above.
To this day, I meet people who tell me how they will never forget the kibud av v’eim they saw my mother extend to her parents. Ima didn’t have to sit down and teach us what honoring parents means, she lived it.
Did your mother ever share with you a dream or goal that she hoped the next generation would continue?
I was visiting with Ima a few months before her petira. I remember her saying, “I may be dreaming, but I’m not sleeping.” She told me a story of the “Shema Yisroel Tree”. A beautiful tree of Shema leaves. Over time, turbulent storms caused the leaves to fall off and blew them all over the world. Though they were trampled upon, they never forgot their roots. Ultimately, they made their way back to the tree. The Shema Tree. Shema. Our eternal song. My mother said the story of the Shema tree is the story of our people. We, too, have been blown around the world. We, too, have been trampled upon, crushed, even burned. And now, we are living in the most difficult and painful times. That was ten years ago, and her words feel even more relevant today. She shared that she was thinking of a mitzva that had the power to unite all of Am Yisroel. Something doable for everyone, no matter their background. Ima saw Shema as the answer. Shema, song of the leaves, song of our people.
When I shared this story with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, who authored the bio The Rebbetzin, he said “Shema was the bookends of the Rebbetzin’s life”. It began with Shema at Madison Square Garden, and her final dream was to bring Am Yisroel together with Shema. Shema, a way to connect our people with one another, a way to connect our nation to HaShem.
Shema, my mother’s dream to bring every Jew home.
What do you think people admired most about Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis?
My mother was always ready to give of herself to klal. After every class, every speech, she stayed on and on, often into the wee hours of the morning, until everyone who wanted to speak to her had their time. Not only was she there for others, but she was easy to talk to, so very relatable. She understood life and gave the best advice. She knew what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. People appreciated her kindness, wisdom, honesty and integrity.
My mother’s classes were always full. She made the Chumash come to life. A living Torah. Ima showed how our ancestors’ lives
and our lives are intertwined. She taught that we are the carriers of their spiritual DNA, and through Torah learning, we can find answers to life’s challenges.
People would walk away from my mother’s classes saying, “How did the Rebbetzin know just what I needed to hear.”
Is there a story about your mother that the public may not know but perfectly captures who she really was?
My mother was a big believer that if you take the first step, HaShem will help you accomplish what needs to get done. Ima was never intimidated to take the initiative.
Stacy was a young woman, living alone, with no one to turn to. When she was diagnosed with cancer, her friend reached out to my
mother and asked if the Rebbetzin could visit Stacy. Ima never met Stacy, but she was a fellow Jew in a time of need. Thus began their visits together, with Ima giving Stacy brachos and words of chizuk. When Stacy began losing her hair, my mother saw a need
for a good wig, and did something about it.
After making a phone call to explain the need, a wig dealer graciously offered a free hair piece. When I asked my mother who would style it, she answered, “HaShem has His ways of making everything work out.”
On her next visit to Stacy, my mother found herself waiting for the elevator alongside a young woman. Always friendly, my mother struck up a conversation.
“Hi, how are you?”
“I’m fine”, replied the woman, “and how are you?”
My mother answered as she always did,
“Baruch HaShem”.
“What does that mean? I never heard that before.”
Ima explained that that’s how Jewish people respond.
“Baruch HaShem. Thank G-d. Thank G-d I’m alive. Thank G-d for another day.”
As they entered the elevator, Ima explained that she was a Torah teacher, a rebbetzin, on her way to visit someone.
“And what do you do?” asked my mother.
“I’m a hair stylist.”
As soon as my mother heard those words, her eyes lit up. It didn’t take very long for Ima to explain the reason for her visit, and that the stylist was exactly who was needed at that very moment.
And so, Stacy got professional styling for her new wig.
A story that is so my mother. To be there for others. To never give up. To really believe that if you take the first step. HaShem does
the rest.
If your mother could speak to the Jewish world today, what message do you think she would want us to hear?
We are living in turbulent, frightening times. Day after day, another attack, another killing, another bombing, another anti-
Semitic rant, even by some of our elected officials. But already years ago, Ima would say to me that she sees it happening all over again. She would say that the world is burning and Am Yisroel is sleeping. We are doing nothing about it. Europe has become
“Eurabia” and the US is not far behind. And that was almost 20 years ago. How right she was.
Often, I’m asked, “What would your mother say about today’s stormy, chaotic times? Surely, your mother would have been able
to guide us.” I, too, ask myself: What would Ima have said?
Following the tragedy of 9/11, my mother began a coast-to-coast speaking tour, addressing that very need. Her overriding theme was Prayer Works. She visited scores of cities, sharing a message that was direct and passionate. A three-fold response, Introspection, looking inward, to see how each of us can better ourselves; stressing the importance of tefillah, prayer; seeking out
opportunities for chesed, giving of ourselves to others. and personal sacrifice for the sake of the Torah.
And then came October 7. A day of horrific terror. Since then, we, as a people, have been subject to countless acts of anti-Semitism worldwide. From defacing of Jewish property with swastikas and hate slogans, to verbal abuse, and even to numerous physical attacks. Shootings, stabbings and even murders.
It is said that in the days – and we don’t know how many those days will be – proceeding the arrival of Moshiach, our nation will see much suffering. I could just see my mother saying, if we listen carefully, we can hear the footsteps of Moshiach. My mother was nifteres the week of Parshas Ekev – the parsha we will read this Shabbos. Ekev can be translated as heel. Ikvesa d’Meshicha, the footsteps of Moshiach. My mother lived her life listening for those footsteps.
How do you and your family continue to carry on your mother’s legacy ten years after her passing?
A few months before my mother was nifteres, our annual HINENI dinner was a tribute to the Rebbetzin. She was quite ill at the time. Hundreds participated to honor their Torah teacher, their leader, their mentor, for 50 years of selfless giving. It was a truly emotional evening.
Part of my mother’s message was that her children, Rabbi Yisroel, Rabbi Osher, Slovie and myself “Are here to teach, to help, to
guide…” Baruch HaShem, all four of us are keeping our mother’s legacy of HINENI alive. There are in-person classes and Zoom classes. Classes on parsha, parenting, Yomim Tovim and Talmud, and special events programs. Classes for men and women. For
singles, couples, and families.
Shortly before my mother was nifteres, she asked me to please “Speak, teach, write.” For the past 10 years, I have tried my best to
honor her last wishes. And I’m proud to say that my writing is a regular feature in the JEWISH VUES/COUNTRY VUES.
As we commemorate her 10th yahrtzeit, what would you like readers to remember most about Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis and the extraordinary life she lived?
The Rebbetzin was passionate about everything she did. She lived her life with a deep ahava for HaShem and His Torah, for
family, for Am Yisroel, for Eretz Yisroel. I never saw my mother go on a vacation.
I never saw her take downtime, or mindlessly skimming through magazines. Every minute of her life was purposeful, every second accounted for. She knew that she was put on this world with a mission and used every moment of her life to try and accomplish it to the best of her ability.
Ima didn’t even like to take time out to sleep. We knew our mother was up at all hours of the night, be it writing, learning, davening, or on the phone with people from all over the world who knew that her listening ear, and
wise counsel was always there for them.
Often, after late hour classes or speeches, she somehow made time to visit her parents and the sick in hospitals. At times, out of concern, we would respectfully ask our mother to get some much-needed sleep. To which she would simply reply, “I sleep fast”.In the last year of her life, the Rebbetzin wrote her final message to Am Yisroel, Be a Blessing. That no matter where life takes us,
no matter what challenges we face, we can rise above them and bring blessing to others. Ima lived HINENI. Here I Am. HINENI to Torah and mitzvos. HINENI to family. HINENI to Am Yisroel. HINENI to Eretz Yisroel. My mother was zoche to write several books, The Jewish Soul on Fire, The Committed Life, The Committed Marriage, Life is a Test and Be a Blessing. In truth, she “lived” the titles of her books.
Yehi zichra boruch.