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Monday, 1 Adar II, 5784
  |  March 11, 2024

“I Was Iowa’s Jewish Problem”

In a letter passed on to COLlive.com by his family, imprisoned Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin accuses goverment officials in Iowa for plotting against him to fix "the Jewish problem." Full Story

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Thank you, Rabbi Sholom Mordechai HaLevi ben Rivka, Sheyichye
December 9, 2010 6:58 pm

Bs”D Thank you, Rabbi Rubashkin, for rteaching me what it means to be a Yid, and for reminding me to be proud to be a Jew. We are different and need to be separate, and that is our G-dly inheritance. I grew up with “I pledge allegiance”, “Oh say can you see”, and “Four score and seven years ago”. However, on that fateful day of the raid, as black as Tish’a b’Av, I stood and watched for hours as black-clad, bald-headed, weapon wielding, and smug-faced “Americans”, gripped with a mission, tore down a Yiddishe corner of America with chains and… Read more »

Another message to "Sha Still"
December 5, 2010 12:47 pm

It saddens me to read what you have written. You are very mistaken about not only Sholom Mordechai’s character but also about what he is saying in his letter. Sholom Mordechai and his family are super-extraordinary people who are totally committed to their Avodas Hashem. Further, they not only make it their avoda to be simchadike every minute of the day (this is never easy even in the best of situations, and they had nisyonim before the raid, which they accepted with gratitude and grace); they also make it their business to ensure that other people are simchadike as well.… Read more »

Free Sholom Mordecha NOW!!!
December 5, 2010 5:43 am

R. Sholom Mordechai, our brother, don’t despair! Yidden in every corner of this dark golus are davening for you every day and night! May you be blessed to dance with us in Yerushalayim l’alter mamish!!!

To Sha Shtill
December 5, 2010 12:41 am

What you write is factually wrong, disgusting, and ossur al pi halacha. It is an issur of Oinoas Devorim. The makor comes from Iyov when his friends said similar things during his suffering. We aren’t allowed to speak like that to a person in suffering. especially in this case when Sholom mordechai is 1000% right. The Rebbe said that America’s shlichus is to promote freedom. Unfortunately anti semitism exists in america and there are lawmakers that agenda anti semitic bias. The Rebbe never condoned anti semitism in any way shape or form as was clearly what was done to SMR.… Read more »

Beautiful!
December 5, 2010 12:14 am

Really inspiring and beautiful! Sholom Mordechai Halevi, I am truly inspired by you! May Hashem grant us Moahiach Tzidkeinu, Bimhaira Biyameinu, AMEN!

To # 13
December 4, 2010 10:52 pm

What planet are you from?

I agree
December 4, 2010 8:43 pm

Sha Shtill was completely out of place in stating his comment…
Made me sick to hear someone comment like that!

To #13
December 4, 2010 7:38 pm

I agree with #19. SMR is teaching us a very valuable truth that has played itself out again and again in history to the naive of Jewry. I know it hurts to hear the truth, Mr Sha Shtill, and I hear your fear but hiding from the truth is not going to change it.

to sha shtill
December 3, 2010 3:52 pm

how dare you sit and judge sm/
you are sitting in freedom and luxury and yet you sit and critisise the words that he says?
the rebbe said you can never judge those that came out of the holocaust and are no longer frum…after everything he has been through he remains a chossid, a yid, a believer and you come and knock what hes saying??!
how dare you??!!

metzamrer
December 3, 2010 2:24 pm

May God bless this man that he sees the light of day outside of prison grounds as a free man in a manner of lemato meiasara tefochim bimeheiro mammash

Melting pot
December 3, 2010 6:28 am

Beautiful sholom mordechai! In the kur habarzel on behalf of gantz klal Yisroel. May he go from the meitzar to the emmiser merchav now!

PS just thought I’d mention that the Rebbe reffered to the melting pot concept when talking to mayor dinkins. The rebbe said said new York should be like a melting pot that we should no longer distinguish between ‘Negroes and White people and hispanics’. The rebbe repeated this idea a few times. Check it out on YouTube.

What is the meaning of SMR?
December 3, 2010 1:40 am

Behashgocho protis, Reb Sholom Mordechai is commonly referred to by this abbreviation. In parshas Vayeishev, when Yosef tells his dreams and his father criticizes him, the posuk then adds “v’aviv SHAMAR es hadavor.” Rashi explains, that he was “waiting and looking forward to when it will come true”. Yaakov knew that it would happen, but it would take time. And time it took. Yosef endured much. He was singled out amongst his “brothers” (the Forward, Hecksher Blabla, etc. etc. etc.). They threw him in a pit (character assassination, campaigns, boycotts, etc). From there he was sold as a slave (ankle… Read more »

An unbelievable Yid!
December 3, 2010 1:02 am

Reb SM is amazing. I read all your letters very carefully, they are so inspiring, so jam-packed with words that are pouring out from Yechida shebenefesh.

We are all davening for you and working begashmiyus to try to help! I am confident you will go out soon and it will be an amazing giluy.

Hashem Yerachem!
December 3, 2010 12:46 am
Sha Shtill
December 3, 2010 12:45 am

I know you are hurting and are desperate, but are we really helping you by being a vehicle to put down the community that you lived in? I can’t recall the Rebbe ever using such language to criticize our host country and states. By opening your mouth to complain and decry your situation you run the risk of getting the same treatment as Yosef. Additional time in prison, until you come to truly rely on HaKadoh Baruch Hu with a sense of humilty and acceptance with joy of whatever Hashem gives you.

we are davening for you !!!!befrat ,
December 2, 2010 11:35 pm

thank you and please continue to write to us these inspiring msg.s for me its a clear perspective away from the muddle of this world

Speak, dress, & behave with Jewish pride!
December 2, 2010 10:50 pm

What SMR says is so true. It’s so embarrassing to hear kids trying to emulate those, who after all, do not wish us the best. And it’s sad to see kids copying those whose behavior toward us and others don’t make them worthy of the ultimate compliment of copying their ways. People, please get some self respect and be proud of who you are!

Address for SMR
December 2, 2010 9:26 pm

Sholom Rubashkin 10755-029 FCI Otisville Federal Correction Inst. P.O. Box 1000 Otisville, NY 10963 Chevre write weekly, he enjoys every letter he receives and don’t underestimate how much strength it gives him. Unfortunately he can not respond to all the letters he receives none the less write. May Hashem answer his heartfelt plea and of all those davening for his release and may it be bekarov Mamash. SMR keep on writing your letters they are uplifting, warm, inspiring and touches all that read it. May we share besuros tovos bekarov. Trach gut vet zaun gut and all obstacles will fall… Read more »

somone
December 2, 2010 9:03 pm

anyone know how to write to sholom m the adress or some thing please

Unbelievable!!
December 2, 2010 7:24 pm

the world around us is tricky and its so easy to get caught up with out realizing it. SM sees things clearly from the neshama’s perspective.

Comment for Sholom Rubashkin
December 2, 2010 6:29 pm

Request (1) Please forward to Sholom’s family and to himself all the comments of support that are posted here, (2) please post an address by which we can write letters to Sholom Rubashkin.

Rabbi Sholom – youre incredible! You have been chosen by Hashem to do a very special shlichus in prison, and you have hundreds or fans that admire you and love you for your Emes and Bitachon.

Reb Sheit
December 2, 2010 6:26 pm

SMR certainly has alot of time to come up with these sermons. Go Sholom!

wow
December 2, 2010 6:23 pm

very inspiring

WE WILL PREVAIL!!!
December 2, 2010 5:51 pm

Every word written on your letter is full of truth.
Thank you for the answers that you provide us. They purify our hearts and Neshama and clarify our minds: who are we, jews, what are our goals??
May Hashem send you a Geula as great as the Bnei ISRAEL and the Maccabis(COANIM).NOW ITS YOUR TURN shalom mordechai ALEVI!!!
WE WILL PREVAIL!!!!!

Amazing! Bless you!
December 2, 2010 4:48 pm
WOW!
December 2, 2010 3:58 pm

Sholom Mordechai Halevi,

It’s not fair! We should really be writing to you and inspiring you!

The Aibershter who knows you’re right, should hear your pleas and take you out of golus way b4 Chanukah ends!

May the Aibershter give you only happy years with much health,wealth and prosperity!

I’m always so touched by your inspiring letters.

wow
December 2, 2010 3:50 pm

I’m impressed that he has such emunah and bitachon during his time of crisis.

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