Dr. Gershon Kranzler was the epitome of the Torah im Derech Eretz Jew, educated and sophisticated, yet brimming with perfect faith and dedicated to passing it on to future generations. He was famous and beloved as general-studies principal of the Bais Yaakov High School and then became a professor of Towson State University in Maryland.

Over the years, especially during the 40’s and 50’s, Dr. Kranzler wrote many warm and incisive biographical sketches of prominent and barely known personalities, from the pioneer “Shatnez Man” to the Stoliner Rebbe, as well as prescient analyses of the nascent and developing post-War Orthodox community in America.

This book is a collection of much of his finest work, most of which appeared in the Orthodox Union’s “Jewish Life” magazine. Dr. Kranzler was a keen observer and engaging chronicler. He looked for the good in people, but -- especially in those turbulent and traumatic post-Holocaust years -- he also sought to project how Orthodoxy would take root and blossom in America. That gives this book special significance, because it lets us compare ourselves with the visions and aspirations of the forebears, planters, and builders who are in great measure responsible for what we have become.

This is a remarkable book, at once charming, interesting, historic, and memorable.

Table of Contents 

• In Appreciation
• The Publisher's Tribute to Dr. Gershon Kranzler z"l
• Prologue

Part 1: Personalities and Institutions

• To the Late Master: Dr. Isaac Breuer
• My Neighbor, The Rebbe: The Stoliner Rebbe
• Farewell to a Great Jew: Rabbi F. Mendlowitz
• A Fount of Melody: The Modzitzer Rebbe
• The Lubavitcher Rebbe
• Our Favorite Mizrachinik: Reb Eliezer Shrage Gross
• Stowaway to Israel
• Hero of the Negev: Captain Issachar Greisman
• From Nitra to Westchester
• A Datcher in Williamsburg
• The Eleventh Plague
• Chassid From the Left Bank: Henoch Lieberman
• With Microscope and Inspiration: Mr. Joseph Rosenberger
• Jewish Community Research
• Chassidism Can Point the Way
• Blanka
• Torah Im Derech Eretz
• Boys Town of Jerusalem
• The Rebbe Would Not Sign
• Pioneers of a Revolution in Jewish Girls' Education

Part 2: The Community

• The Young in Triangular Perspective
• The Changing Orthodox Jewish Family
• The Changing Orthodox Synagogue
• The Changing Orthodox Jewish Community, 27 Years Later