a time when Orthodox observance was lax among Jews in America, Herman upheld his mitzvah observance even in the face of ridicule. He often said, "I am a soldier of the Boss, and I obey His commands". He spoke out publicly against mixed dancing and mixed beaches, and led public protests against Sabbath desecration by pushcart peddlers on the Lower East Side. For his eldest daughter's wedding in 1922, he took the unheard-of step of printing on the invitation: "Ladies, please come dressed according to the Jewish law". At the entrance to the wedding hall, he had one relative hand out shawls to women who were not properly dressed, while another relative passed out cards that read: "Men and women are asked to dance separately". Inside the hall, Herman posted a large sign that read: "All the food belongs to the Lord; after the brocho, to you". Many guests were affronted by such forthright requests, which were not widespread practice in Orthodox circles at that time. While Herman's scrupulous adherence to Jewish law sometimes frustrated his children, since their religious friends did not subscribe to the same high standards, they were nevertheless proud of their father's strength and commitment. Herman encouraged others to improve their mitzvah observance by providing a shatnez-checking service; arranging for the production of Cholov Yisroel (Jewish supervised) milk, eighteen-minute matzos and other kosher-for-Passover products; and anonymously printing Jewish calendars that listed candle-lighting times for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. During the Prohibition era, he produced kosher wine in his home to ensure that other Jewish families could celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays according to Jewish law. He was summoned to court for his winemaking operation, but successfully argued his case that he was acting solely for religious purposes. The judge dismissed the case, and Herman continued producing and selling wine at cost until the Prohibition law was repealed. At the suggestion of his father-in-law, Herman had undertaken formal Torah learning with private rabbis after his marriage. This enabled him to deliver beginning and advanced shiurim (Torah lectures) to men and teach religious subjects to Jewish boys in the synagogue after evening prayers. He was also asked to give private mussar talks to yeshiva students. Witnessing the paucity of advanced Torah education in New York City in the 1930s and 1940s, Herman encouraged promising American Jewish youth to travel to the great yeshivas of Europe. He sent approximately