“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” —Psalm 33:12 There are moments in history when the spiritual destiny of a nation stands at a crossroads.

The family of Israel Baline came from Russia and settled in New York City in 1893 when Israel was five-years-old. He was one of eight children born to Moses and Leah Baline. His father, a rabbi, died ...