All for the Boss

by Ruchoma Shain

The bestselling classic that has touched the hearts of readers the world over, is now newly revised and expanded. This is the inspiring story of the life and impact of R' Yaakov Yosef Herman, a Torah pioneer in America, told by his loving daughter. This powerful book will enchant and uplift, and will take the reader back in time to glimpse a portrait of the great personalities of yesteryear.

Genres: Jewish, Biography, Nonfiction, Judaism, History

446 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic in the English-speaking Ultra-Orthodox world; it's been around for decades, and hundreds of people have read and loved it. Now that I've finally read it too, I can say decidedly: it's with good reason.

This is the biography of Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman who lived on the Lower East Side in the early 20th century. Jews were assimilating en masse back then, but he with his staunch Torah lifestyle and home open to all Jews was able to stave off some of that trend. Reading it made me wish that my father could have been one of the children he influenced.

The book is written by Rav Herman's youngest daughter, and in the first chapter, called "The Pinch," she discusses how he'd give her an affectionate pinch on the cheek, but never a hug. That actually turned me off on my first attempt on this book (about 5 years ago), but this time, I pressed on, and it was well worth it. The second chapter, "Recollections," is about the Rav Herman's own early life, which was certainly not easy and showed how he got to be so strong-willed. At the end of the fourth chapter, "Papa Corners the Market," which is about the open house he kept for Jews of all types, I absolutely loved him. So of course, I welled up when he died at the very end.

For frum Jews, this is an absolute must-read. For irreligious Jews who think Orthodox Judaism is too strict - read this and discover the love within the strictness. And for non-Jews who want to learn about Orthodox Jewish life, forget Chaim Potok or any fictional depiction of Jews. This is the real thing, a Jew who lived his life for "the Boss."

[LM · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER! If you are Jewish or have a mild interest in reading a biography
about a tzadik (rightous Jew) you must go get this now. It is big and intimidating, but the
whole thing flies. Ruchoma Shain is an incredible story teller. She wrote the biography of
her father, R' Yaakov Yosef Herman, in such a personal way just by describing her
relationship with him . The way she captured his spirit is amazing.
It was especially interesting to compare things from Up From Orchid Street which I
around the same time. Both were written about at the same time
period on the lower east side. Characters from Up From Orchid Street were working on
Shabbos on Orchid street while R' Yaakov Yosef Herman was collecting money and
paying Jewish merchants on Orchid street to not work on Shabbos. Anyway this book
was amazingly written and about an inspiring family and anything I say about it doesn't
do the story justice.

[Talya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The uniqueness of this biography is that it tells the story of a simple Jew. One that didn't have any official rabbinical training because he had to fend for himself from the tender age of 13. Although Yaakov Yosef was blessed with great business success and became a rich man he remained a steadfast Jew. Against all odds and against the tide of religious desertion, he grew to incredible spiritual hights. Yaakov Yosef was close (DAVEK) to his creator and indeed there are many miracles that are told about him in the book. Some of the stories are very famous. In fact I heard/read some of them but this was the first time that I read their source.

[Sion · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am a soldier of the Boss, and I obey His commands". Yaakov Herman has an unbreakable faith and love for his God (the Boss).

As homeless thieteen year old child sleeping in a New York park, Yaakov Herman knew what he wanted to do with his life and did everything in his power to achieve.

An inspirational book for any religion and non religious people.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review TBA, but in the meantime - what's with the title? It's like three titles:

1) All For the Boss
2) The Life and Impact of R' Yaakov Yosef Herman, a Torah Pioneer in America
3) An Affectionate Family Chronicle

[Ahdee · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing she can capture the reader plus you can start in the middle

[Foxglove · Rating 1 out of 5]

A biography of a selfish sociopath who cared only for his religion over the mental health of his children, admitted to favoring his son over daughters and forcing his cultish beliefs on his children, like smashing his daughter’s doll.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, amazing, engaging. LOVED IT!

[Rivkah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read "All for the Boss" repeatedly, probably over 50 times in the last 20 years. This is an intriguing story about growing up in the U.S. in an Orthodox family in the early 1900s, and the challenges they faced.

This book gives you fresh perspective on your own challenges. There was a minimal Orthodox community, even in NY, when Ruchoma Herman (Racoma) was a young girl, so the challenges were everywhere. Food, education, friends, general surroundings...everything was quite different. Yes, we have new challenges existing as Orthodox Jews today, but how many of us would have survived in the 30s? Like R' Yaakov Yosef Herman, you had to be a warrior to survive.

All For The Boss also details Ruchoma's life in Mir, Poland, right before WWII, and the sacrifices they had to make for her husband to learn at the venerable Mirrer Yeshiva. The book extends the story into the early 70s, when Ruchoma and her husband make the decision to join the new community of Mattersdorf in Jerusalem, Israel.

I hope that, like me, you will find this book inspiring.

[Jacqueline Bocian]

LOVED this biography of an extraordinary man, an iconoclast of his era who brought stringent Jewish practices to the Lower East Side at a time when the Jewish population was increasing becoming Americanized and secularized.
Much of modern Jewish life can be traced to this man. He was a difficult man and yet a magnificent person who sought to completely fulfill the mitzvah of "hachnassat orchim," welcoming guests.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for any religious Jewish woman. It is well worthwhile to read about Reb Herman's influence on the practice of religious Judaism in the US and it is inspiring to learn about his "business" of welcoming hoards of guests.

[Krystyne Chava Canales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book. I love this book, as it inspires me in improving my middos.

[Nancy Greenfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very touching moments