Etel Tzerna Hodakov

A tribute to Rebbetzin Ettel Tzerna Hodakov, Z”L

Originally published in Hamodia

Rebbetzin Hodakov was born to R’ Meir Shmaryohu and Rochel (nee Ziv) Schochet HY”D during Chanukah, in the year 5670 (1910) in the city of Telz. She was the 3rd of four children, and outlived all of her siblings. Her parents were killed by the Nazis, Yemach Shemom.

Her older Brother was Rabbi Dov Yehuda Schochet z”l, who had been a Rov in Basel, Switzerland, and of The Hague in Holland, before moving to Toronto, where he served as a Rov and Mechanech for many years. Her older sister, Fruma Leah z”l, lived in Yerusholayim, with her husband Rabbi Yosef Holtzberg z”l, a well known Mechanech who taught in the Bais Yaakov Seminary in Yerusholayim. Her younger sister, Chana Chaya Henna z”l was married to Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Blau z”l, a Rov in Boro Park for many years who was also known for the many Seforim of Rishonim including the Ritva and Meiri that he published from manuscripts that he searched for and uncovered.

Not much is known about her childhood, adolescence, and early adult years. She was part of a generation and culture that did not talk much about themselves and their accomplishments. When her children and grandchildren asked, she was reluctant to speak, saying that she doesn’t like the idea of telling about her own activities, and merely shared that she had taught and directed Mosdos Chinuch in Lithuania, she gave Shiurim in Yiddishkeit to adults and children in Austria, and was active in the ladies’ organization in Riga.

A certificate from the Yavneh Institute of Lithuania in Kovno dated the 15th of Tamuz 5697 (1937) testifies that for two years she directed a Jewish kindergarten in Ponivesh, for a few years she taught in a school in Kelm, and for three years she was the Judaic principal of the girls’ orphanage in Kovno, where she also taught Limudei Kodesh and Ivrit. The certificate praises her pedagogic skills, her exceptional personality, and her faithful devotion to her holy work that benefited her students and brought joy to their parents.

Latvia

In the month of Ador, 5699 (1939) she married Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, himself a lifelong expert on Chinuch (at age 18 had established the Torah V’Derech Eretz school) in Riga. Rabbi Hodakov was one of the leaders of Tze’irei Agudas Yisroel in Riga, and was the head of the official government-run office for Jewish education for all of Latvia. He stood at the forefront of the fight for Torah observance, using his government position to strengthen Torah learning and observance even in the non-observant community. (The effectiveness of his work can be evidenced by the hatred with which they wrote about him in their newspapers).

On several occasion, his work had brought him in contact with the sixth Chabad Rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz ZT”L, who led and organized the massive network of underground Chadorim, Yeshivos, Mikvaos and Shuls throughout the former Soviet Union. Beyond their “professional relationship”, the Rebbe concerned himself with in his personal life as well, and went so far as to help arrange the Shidduch with Rebbetzin Hodakov.

(In 1950, Rabbi Hodakov became the personal secretary of the Rebbe).

It is interesting to note the reverence which Rebbetzin Hodakov herself showed the Rebbe, considering that she did not come from a Chassidishe background at all. She respected and revered Tzadikim and Gedolei Yisroel regardless of which “sect” they belonged to or led, and by example taught her children to do the same.

In a letter to her parents she writes: “We just returned from a visit with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It is a tremendous Zechus to be received by him. He seems tired from the many visitors. The Rebbe made a very strong impression on me. First, Mordechai visited with him alone for about half an hour, and then I was called in as well and we were there together for about ten minutes. He blessed us with health and Parnosoh… He wished us Mazel Tov, saying that now he can verbalize what he had been thinking at the time of our wedding. He had wanted to attend but was not feeling well… Usually his secretaries type the letters and even sign on his behalf. Sometimes the Rebbe signs it himself. On occasion of our wedding we received a letter of greeting entirely handwritten by the Rebbe himself… I cannot describe how proud and honored I feel that he made an exception to receive me, since it is rare that he should receive women…”

In 5700 (1940), the Rebbe prepared to travel to America. When applying for visas and travel permits, he included the Hodakovs as necessary members of his entourage.

To a great extent, the fact that they were leaving to America was kept secret, and those who did know thought that it was simply a trip that would last for a few months, using accumulated vacation time from work that he had never used. Ostensibly, his journey would be of benefit for Jewish education in America as well as for his position back in Riga. From letters written during that time period, it is unclear if the Hodakovs themselves were aware that they were making a one-way trip to America.

They traveled by plane to Sweden, and then by boat to America, arriving on the 9th of Ador Sheini. Ultimately, this trip to America saved their lives. The relatives they left behind did not survive the war.

America

Immediately upon arriving in America in 1940, Rebbetzin Hodakov continued her involvement in Chinuch, teaching many Talmidos in the Bais Yaakov High School and Seminary in Williamsburg. She was one of the first teachers in Beth Rivkah Schools, where she taught elementary, high school, and seminary and was involved in the institution’s development and expansion.

She was always interested in hearing news from her former students, and some corresponded with her on a regular basis for many years after they had graduated and even moved to other countries, and they made sure to visit her when they came to New York.

A few years ago, in a very competitive real-estate market, Rebbetzin Hodakov dedicated the home in which she and her husband lived for many years to serve as a dormitory for students from out-of-town, attending Bais Rivkah. Her commitment to the well being of Jewish girls lives on.

And, her teaching spread beyond the classroom. With a reputation as an inspiring and powerful speaker, as she was often called upon to address gatherings of women on various occasions.

She had an excellent command of Yiddish and Lashon Hakodesh, and over the years wrote numerous articles in the Yiddish-English magazine “Di Yiddishe Heim” and the monthly children’s magazine “Shmuessen Mit Kinder Un Yugnt”.

She was meticulous in all things she did, paying attention to every detail. She put her entire being into every class she taught, every speech she made, and every article she wrote. She took care to send bar Mitzvah and wedding gifts to friends and relatives even if she was not attending the Simcha, and the gift was always accompanied by a well thought out, beautifully written note of greeting and blessing. Even in her later years, her penmanship and prose were remarkable.

When she was in her seventies, she came across a manuscript of a Yiddish translation of “Der Rav” (a book about R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, originally written in German by Naftali Hertz Ehrman) that she had begun working on about forty years earlier. (By then, the book had already been translated into English and published by Feldheim). With the encouragement of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, she started work on it again. The heart and soul she invested in every detail of the process is evident in the outstanding quality of the final product. When a certain medical issue once arose, the Rebbe wrote to her that the merit of her having published the book “Der Rav” would stand her and her family in good stead.

Rebbetzin Hodakov was an intelligent, exceptionally perceptive woman. She was blessed with a good memory, and sharp wit. Once, the phone in the house rang very late at night. Someone needed to urgently speak to her husband, Rabbi Hodakov, but felt a bit uncomfortable calling at this hour. When Rebbetzin Hodakov answered the phone, the caller asked “Is it too late to call?” to which she immediately replied “It is too late to ask!”

Throughout her life, she was satisfied with her lot and made do with what she had. She would often say that you don’t need anything new or fancy. As long as it is “rein un gantz” (clean, and whole), it is good enough. When she taught in Williamsburg, she would often walk from her home in Crown Heights, because even the price of a trolley ride was considered a luxury, an unnecessary expense.

In those years, the financial situation was so difficult, that a principal of one school specified in her teaching contract that he was committing himself to the educational part of the contract, but he does not take the responsibility to pay her salary! But teachers were needed, Jewish girls were waiting to learn, and she did what needed to be done.

In later years she would reminisce about how times were so difficult that they were embarrassed to eat their meals on Sukkos. Like other who did not have their own Sukkah, the Hodakovs ate their meals in a communal Sukkah where everyone can see what everyone else is eating. Since they could not even afford chicken, Rebbetzin Hodakov would make two types of Gefilte Fish; regular fish, and then she fried some to make it dark and look like meat-Latkas (“di zelbe yenta, in andere kleider” she would sometimes quip).

Here is another very telling anecdote:

A grandson who was present in her home on Purim observed that she was taking what seemed like too much time with her Mishloach Manos. She never had a “theme” for her Mishloach Manos, nor did she prepare many baskets for anyone who might come. Rather, as was more common not so long ago, when someone delivered Mishloach Manos, she would take some things out of theirs and exchange it with some items of her own. To the grandson this seemed like a simple task; take out one item, replace it with another. But for Rebbetzin Hodakov it was a more involved process, because she wanted to make sure that she was returning a Mishloach Manos of equal value to that which the person had sent to her.

Rebbetzin Hodakov is remembered as a woman who carried herself in a dignified, even regal manner, aware of her status as a true Bas Yisroel.

Although her body was weakened, her mind was clear to the very end. She took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of her Ainiklach, and cared for their well being, thinking of them when she davened, said tehilim, and when she lit her Shabbos candles.

She passed away on the 20th of Sivan, at the age of 96. On the way to the cemetery, the funeral passed by the Bais Rivka campus. In a fitting tribute, the faculty, students and parents who had just concluded their graduation ceremonies were able to pay their respects to this teacher, mechaneches, and role model from a past generation. She was laid to rest in the Old Montefiore cemetery, in close proximity to the Lubavitcher Rebbes and Rebbetzins.

Her own grandchildren serve as Mechanchim, Mechanchos, Rabonim and Shluchim in various communities, carrying on the family tradition. May she be a Gute Beter for Klal Yisroel.

• * * * *

The Hodakov family is interested in hearing from anyone who has any memories or anecdotes to share about Rabbi or Rebbetzin Hodakov. Please contact them at 718-756-5329 or E-mail: HodakovFamily@hotmail.com.

Courtesy of Lithuania Internal Passports Database, 1919-1940 at JewishGen.org

T], Berel Leib single Meyer Shmuel 26-Jul-04 Telsiai

488027/2647 proficient in Talmud His mother's name was Rakhel SOCHETIENE / [SHOKHET]. Internal Passport Application LCVA/1386/1/14256, 14647

24 Aug 1927 Telsiai Telsiai Telsiai SOCHETAITE / [SHOKHET], Eta Cherna Meyer Shmuel born in 1909 Telsiai

790798/3703 student Her mother's name was Rakhel SOCHETIENE / [SHOKHET]. Internal Passport Application LCVA/1386/1/14382, 14743