Jungreis: A Life of Faith, Survival, and Jewish Outreach
The life of Jungreis was defined by a profound commitment to her faith and a resilient spirit forged in the crucible of the Holocaust. From her early years in Hungary to her influential leadership in the United States, she dedicated her existence to the preservation and promotion of Yiddishkeit—the traditional Jewish way of life and cultural identity.
Early Life and Survival in Hungary
Born on April 27, 1936, in Szeged, Hungary, Jungreis was the daughter of Avraham and Miriam Jungreis. Her father, an Orthodox rabbi, operated a shtiebel (a small, informal synagogue) within the city's Neolog, or Reform, community. Growing up in a scholarly environment, she was joined by her two brothers, Jacob and Binyamin, who both eventually became rabbis.
The trajectory of her life changed drastically during the Holocaust. Avraham Jungreis and other Jews from Szeged were deported in cattle cars destined for Auschwitz. However, a relative employed by Rudolph Kastner's office intervened, arranging for the cattle car to be opened during a transit through Budapest. The Jungreis family was transferred to the Kastner train. After several weeks of travel and a diversion to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, the train eventually delivered 1,670 passengers to safety in Switzerland.
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Establishing a Legacy in New York
In 1947, the family emigrated to Brooklyn, New York. It was here that Jungreis reconnected with a distant cousin, Rabbi Theodore (Meshulem HaLevi) Jungreis. The two married and settled in North Woodmere, New York, where they co-founded the North Woodmere Jewish Center, also known as the Orthodox Congregation Ohr Torah. Together, they raised four children.
The Hineni Organization
On November 18, 1973, Jungreis expanded her mission by founding the Hineni organization during an event at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum. The primary goal of Hineni was to promote Yiddishkeit across the United States. As the leader of the organization, she became known for her outspoken views, specifically her opposition to interfaith marriages and her criticism of secularization, which she viewed as a pathway to assimilation.
Later Years and Continued Influence
Following the death of her husband in 1996 (whose Yartzeit, or anniversary of death, occurred in Shevat, 5756), Jungreis remained active in education and outreach. She frequently collaborated with other leaders, serving as a guest speaker alongside Paysach Krohn at the annual Shavuot retreat hosted by The Gateways Organization.
Jungreis passed away on August 23, 2016, at the age of 80, due to complications from pneumonia while residing in Lawrence. She is survived by her children: rabbis Yisroel and Osher Jungreis, and Chaya Sara Gertzulin and Slava Chana Wolff.
Key Facts
- Born: April 27, 1936, in Szeged, Hungary.
- Survival: Escaped deportation to Auschwitz via the Kastner train to Switzerland.
- Organization: Founded Hineni on November 18, 1973, to promote Yiddishkeit.
- Community Work: Co-founded the North Woodmere Jewish Center/Orthodox Congregation Ohr Torah.
- Death: August 23, 2016, aged 80.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Life | Born in Szeged, Hungary; daughter of an Orthodox rabbi. |
| Holocaust Experience | Survivor of the Kastner train via Bergen-Belsen to Switzerland. |
| Key Institution | North Woodmere Jewish Center (Co-founder). |
| Major Organization | Hineni (Founder). |
| Core Mission | Promotion of Yiddishkeit and opposition to assimilation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the Hineni organization?
Founded by Jungreis in 1973, Hineni was established to promote Yiddishkeit, the traditional Jewish way of life, within the United States.
How did Jungreis survive the Holocaust?
While being deported to Auschwitz, her family was transferred to the Kastner train through the help of a relative in Rudolph Kastner's office, eventually reaching Switzerland after a stop at Bergen-Belsen.
What were Jungreis's views on secularization?
Jungreis was critical of secularization, as she believed it served as a form of assimilation that distanced individuals from their Jewish identity.
Who were the members of Jungreis's immediate family?
She was the daughter of Avraham and Miriam Jungreis and the sister of rabbis Jacob and Binyamin. She married Rabbi Theodore Jungreis and had four children: Yisroel, Osher, Chaya Sara, and Slava Chana.
Where did Jungreis live during her later years?
She resided in Lawrence at the time of her death in 2016.