Keren Olam HaTorah’s mission to the United States reached Chicago on Tuesday, June 9, a city whose deep appreciation for Torah was reflected throughout a full day of gatherings and divrei chizuk.

The first gathering was held at the home of the late R’ Yaakov Rajchenbach z”l, hosted by Mrs. Rajchenbach and her sons. R’ Moshe Rajchenbach noted the special meaning of gathering in the home of his father, who had been among the early supporters of lomdei Torah and mosdos haTorah in America. He cited the Torah’s description of the Gedolei Yisroel as “einei ha’eidah,” the eyes of the community, who help Klal Yisroel understand how to view difficult times and how to respond.

Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband, who learned in Telshe Chicago as a bochur, reflected on the city’s remarkable growth as a makom Torah. He recalled the efforts of its great gedolim, including Rav Avraham Chaim Levin zt”l, Rav Chaim Dov Keller zt”l, and Rav Chaim Schmelczer zt”l, who built the Torah institutions upon which an entire kehilla flourished.

Chicago, Rav Ausband said, understands what Torah and bnei Torah contribute to a city. He asked the audience to consider the consequences if the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel were weakened. Quoting the Nefesh HaChaim, he explained that even one person learning Torah can bring refuos and yeshuos to someone far away. He then recalled how the Alter of Slabodka fasted and davened when people attempted to steer the young Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l away from yeshivah. Had they succeeded, he said, the Torah world might never have known the Rav Aharon who built Kletzk and transformed Lakewood into a center of Torah for American Jewry.

Rav Yaakov Hillel spoke of the opportunity now given to Yidden in chutz la’aretz: to sustain Torah directly, with love and sincerity. He stressed that this responsibility also calls upon lomdei Torah to learn with greater hasmadah.

The visiting gedolim later addressed a gathering at the office of R’ Yossi Meystel. Rav Dovid Zucker, Rosh Kollel of the Chicago Kollel, spoke of the achrayus created by the delegation’s visit. Rav Hillel reminded the baalei batim that parnassah is the kli through which Hashem provides, while Torah must remain at the center of a Yid’s life. Rav Ausband added that when people give for Torah even when it stretches them, their support becomes a living declaration of Kiddush Hashem.

In the afternoon, the rabbanim visited the Kohn family for an asifa held in memory of R’ Yoni Kohn a”h. Rabbi Nosson Muller urged those present to answer now the question they would soon face during Ne’ilah: What did you do for the olam haTorah? Rav Ausband spoke of R’ Yoni’s life of chesed, while Rav Hillel offered chizuk and brachos to the family.

The Chicago visit concluded with a major asifa at Ateres Ayala, attended by nearly 1,000 bochurim, yungeleit, rabbanim, and baalei batim. Rav Dov Landau, speaking softly in Yiddish, quoted the Gemara’s description of Klal Yisroel as “rachmanim, bayshanim, v’gomlei chasadim.” A Yid cannot remain indifferent to the pain of another Yid, he said, especially when the olam haTorah is enduring tzaros. He assured the crowd that those who support Torah are zocheh to extraordinary brachah.

Rav Ausband concluded by addressing the younger attendees. Even one unable to contribute financially, he said in the name of the Chofetz Chaim, can offer a heartfelt krechtz over the pain of Torah and its learners. Before the Ribbono Shel Olam, that sincere sigh carries immeasurable value.