ר׳ יוסף שלמה כהנמן

ר׳ יוסף שלמה כהנמן (1886–1969), universally known as the Ponevezher Rav, rebuilt one of Lithuanian Jewry’s great Torah institutions in Israel. Born in Kuliai, he studied at Plungė, Telz under ר׳ אליעזר גורדון and ר׳ שמעון שקופ, Novardok, and Radin under ר׳ ישראל מאיר הכהן and ר׳ נפתלי טרופ. After marrying Feige Rubin, he became rabbi of Vidzy and founded a yeshiva there. In 1919 he succeeded ר׳ יצחק יעקב רבינוביץ as rabbi of Panevėžys, where he created a nationally important yeshiva, schools and an orphanage. He represented Jewish interests in the Lithuanian Seimas and helped lead Agudath Israel and the Vaad HaYeshivot. Abroad when war began in 1939, he remained in Mandatory Palestine and attempted to rescue Lithuanian Jews; his family, students and institutions were largely destroyed in the Holocaust. In late 1943–44 he re-established Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, then built a wide educational complex and Batei Avot for refugee children. Tireless international fundraising made the campus a symbol of Torah reconstruction. His Talmudic teachings and addresses were collected posthumously. He died in Bnei Brak in 1969.