Message from the Hecht family:
For over a year, research has been underway for a biography about Rabbi Yaakov Yehudah “JJ” Hecht, Z”L.
In addition to his unique relationship with the Rebbe, Rabbi Hecht was a pioneer of numerous Jewish outreach programs, an outspoken Jewish activist, and dynamic community leader.
From his beginnings in Brownsville to his pulpit in East Flatbush, from his hours spreading Yiddishkeit on the radio to his iconic place near the Rebbe at Lag B’Omer parades, the book will explore the life work of Rabbi Hecht and the legacy he left behind over twenty eight years ago.
Thousands of pages of correspondence, hundreds of audio hours, and a variety of photos and videos comprise the basis of the research. Additionally, interviews are being conducted with dozens of individuals who knew, worked with, or were affected by Rabbi Hecht.
If you had a professional relationship or personal encounter with him, if you have photos, videos, audio, or correspondence, please contact JJHechtmemories@gmail.com to share with the family, and, if appropriate, the public.
Thank you.
Bring that this work is some 25 years late, please do not tarry in publishing it since I am in a hurry to learn of this chossid, how to become the Rebbe’s soldier. Please do hurry.
BSD 18 Elul, 5778
Since the Rebbe made me into the Chossid that I am today and my many years of learning in Hadar HaTorah and my connection to Rabbi JJ Hecht a real lot with a lot of sage advice and great guidance from Rabbi Hecht, it is very hard to put into words how much Rabbi JJ Hecht means to me !!!!
Thank you Rabbi Hecht for making Camp Emunah! I don’t think I can thank you enough. Emunah is my home forever!
With Shimon Sabol working on this, it is bound do be a master piece you don’t want to miss! Good luck
The true Yoreish!
Lamdon, Yirei Shimayim, Askan and a true friend to so many!
Ideal man to spearhead this project.
Just merely “a book” can be written about Rabbi JJ Hecht ??? I would rather think, a complete set of 10 books can be written and said about the life of Rabbi JJ Hecht, of blessed and righteous memory. And still scratch the surface of who he was.
In English. Make the biography in English.
There is enough material without any new stuff! Just publish
What a giant! This will have to be a series! While I did not have any personal interaction with Rabbi JJ Hecht, I was too young. I went to Camp Emunah for 10 years, my daughters go now, so we have benefited from his amazing work!!
What השגחה פרטית! I just listened to a speech Rabbi Hecht ע״ה
gave in 770 of the “last will and testament” he received from
the פריערדיקער רבי. Powerful beyond!
Rabbi Hecht ate, slept, and breathed REBBE continuously!!!
A chossid in every sense of the word! Truly an honor and delight to have known and seen this dynamo of a chossid in action! A blessing to all of us!!