Colors: Blue Color

Rabbi Dr. Chaim Joshua Meskin was born in 1904 in Shadove, Lithuania, into an illustrious rabbinical family headed by my Zaide, Harav Yaakov Hacohen Meskin. Rav Chaim studied in Ponevezh while living in the home of his maternal Zaide. He eventually joined his family in America, where he pursued his studies at the New Haven Yeshiva, from which he received a “Yoreh-Yoreh, Yoreh-Yadins’michah from two noted rabbonim of the time—Harav Sheftel Kramer and Harav Yitzchak Ruderman.

On Pesach, we relive our journey from Mitzrayim – meitzar yam, the narrow straits of the sea, symbolizing personal and national constriction. David HaMelech teaches us in T’hilim: “Min ha’meitzar karasi Kah – From the narrow place I called out to Hashem.”

In a joyous celebration of Torah leadership, bold vision, and the strength of community, the RIETS Evening of Tribute, held on March 25, was among the most successful in the Yeshiva’s history, drawing over 600 guests from around the world—including Torah scholars, alumni, community leaders, musmachim and students—and raising more than $3 million.