In an emotional evening, the zkan horabbonim of
Europe, The Av Beth Din of Holland, HaRav Meir Just, in the
name of the Netherlands Rabbinate endowed upon Mr. Aharon
Aronson of Amsterdam the honored title of "Chover."
The surprise announcement took place during a festive
seudah made by his son Reb Mottel to coincide with the
marriage of Reb Mottel's daughter, Devorah Aronson of Monsey,
to Avremi Wasserman of Lakewood, which he was prevented from
attending.
After a lengthy dvar Torah by Reb Mottel, Rabbi Just
delivered a heartfelt emotional droshoh describing the
Aronson family's achievements from after World War II until
today.
Mr. Aronson became the head of Agudas Yisroel in Amsterdam
and played a major role in the rebuilding of
Yiddishkeit in Amsterdam after the war. He was the
secretary of the Dutch Agudas Yisroel for over 40 years, a
member of the Vaad Hapoel Ha'olami and its European
Representative for International Affairs.
Mr. Aronson was rishon lekol dovor shebikedushoh
whether in chinuch - - personally employing
talmidei chachomim to learn with children and sending
them to yeshivos -- or in hachnosas orchim or in
gemilus chassodim. He, together with his aishes
chover, Brachah (Bertel), built a home that was a Jewish
fortress in the spiritual wilderness and its light of
Torah, avodoh, ugemilus chassodim shone and continues
to shine for more than 60 years, ad mei'oh
ve'esrim.
Speaking about Devorah's father, Reb Mottel Aronson, he
stressed the enormous chassodim and community work he
does for everybody and anybody in Amsterdam and abroad. Rabbi
Just said that he would suffice with mentioning his
tremendous efforts in rebuilding the shul, being a leading
force together with his father in the founding of the
cheder, and being the address where anyone --
frum or not -- can turn in time of need. Afterwards,
Rabbi Just bestowed the honored title of Chover on Mr.
Aharon Aronson.
The moro de'asra HaRav Lewis spoke, focusing on the
limud of Reb Mottel. He was one of the initiators of
shiur that Rabbi Lewis has been giving now for 14
years. The rosh kollel, HaRav Yaakov Shatz spoke in
praise of the middos of Reb Mottel stressing the
kiddush Hashem of hosting this beautiful seuda -
- a seudas hodo'oh honoring his daughter and son-in-
law though he himself was unfortunately prevented from
participating at his own daughter's wedding. Rabbi Nachum
Aronson, a maggid shiur at the Beis Soroh Schenirer
Seminary in Manchester spoke movingly about his brother Reb
Mottel and his achievements.
HeChover Aharon Aronson ended the speeches with heartfelt
thanks and appreciation for the great honor the Rabbonim
bestowed upon him.
