The frum kehilla in Zurich, Switzerland, welcomed Gedolei Eretz Yisroel in early November for a series of meetings and asifos on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah. 

The first event took place at the home of famed philanthropist R’ Dov Sternbuch z”l, whose almana graciously opened her doors to continue her husband’s legacy of hachnasas orchim and hachzakas Torah. Leading rabbanim from the kehilla addressed the assembled participants, calling for a renewed dedication to the lomdei Torah of Eretz Yisroel.

Harav Dov Landau shlit”a addressed the gathering via video from Eretz Yisroel, stating: “The lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel are under siege. Budgets have been cut with cruelty, and the Olam HaTorah stands in danger. But Torah in Eretz Yisroel is the heart of Klal Yisroel — its light protects the entire world. Whoever gives beyond his means will be zocheh to brachos beyond measure.”

Other speakers included R’ Reuven Wolf of Lakewood, representing Keren Olam HaTorah, and R’ Avraham Moshe Sternbuch shlit”a, who spoke about the moral responsibility to sustain limud torah: “When an avreich in Eretz Yisroel struggles to buy bread and milk, we cannot remain silent. Supporting Torah is not a luxury — it is our duty, our survival.”

The crowd was visibly moved when Rav Shimon Galai shlit”a delivered stirring divrei chizuk: “Every generation faces those who try to silence Torah. But we gather here to declare that Torah lives, and we live with it.”

The event concluded with an address by Rav Baruch Soloveitchik shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Toras Zev, who reflected on his father’s lifelong devotion to tzedakah and Torah and urged participants to follow his example by supporting the lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

The next morning, following Shacharis in Zurich, the Gedolim delegation departed for Geneva to continue their mission to Switzerland.