Mistaken identity - The Jewish Standard

I noticed that the article about Rabbi Abraham Zigelman included a photo taken at his installation in 1951 (“Too many funerals,” December 5). The caption said that it showed Rabbi Zigelman shaking hands with Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, who had ordained him.

Looking at the photo, reprinted above, I immediately realized that the person with whom Rabbi Zigelman was shaking hands could not have been Rabbi Feinstein. I have seen many photos of Rabbi Feinstein, and I once had the privilege of meeting him personally. Rabbi Feinstein was a relatively short man, while the person to the right of Rabbi Zigelman in the photo was a very tall man.

I also spoke to a friend of mine who used to live on the Lower East Side and knew Rabbi Feinstein very well. He confirmed that Rabbi Feinstein is the man standing to the left of Rabbi Zigelman in the photo.

Daniel Chazin, Teaneck

The photograph (“Too many funerals”) identifies Rabbi Zigelman shaking the hand of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was a very short man. Assuming he did attend the installation, I suspect he is pictured to the left of Rabbi Zigelman in the photo.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We were supplied the caption information, which clearly was wrong. We do not know whose hand Rabbi Zigelman is shaking, nor can we identity anyone else in the picture, so we ask you, our readers, if you know any of these other men. Please email your answers to jstandardletters@gmail.com

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