The Speech That Created Shuvu
Children & shidduchim
Rav Avrohom Yosef Laizerson, one of the leaders of Chinuch Atzmai in Eretz Yisroel, came to an Agudah convention in America. At the direction of the gedolei haTorah he raised there the problem of educating the children of Russian immigrants who wished to study in Chinuch Atzmai schools.
Rav Pam was deeply troubled by the difficulties these children faced, and he gave the matter a central place at the convention. In a stirring speech, with tears in his eyes, he told the thousands of participants that the Russian children in Eretz Yisroel were not receiving enough attention, and that much more must be done. His simple, heartfelt words reached everyone in the hall. As soon as he finished, people came to him and asked, “What can we do?”
He formed a committee on the spot to organize rescue efforts, and it met that same night. In this way Shuvu came into being. Rav Pam remained its loyal patron until his final day.