The Gedolei Eretz Yisroel leading Keren Olam HaTorah’s mission to save yeshivos, kollelim and avreicheim impacted by crushing financial aid cuts arrived in Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 10, for a series of gatherings and receptions at the homes of leading tomchei torah.

The day began with a breakfast reception hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Herzka. Mr. Herzka spoke of his family’s early connection to Torah in America. He proudly noted that his parents were among the country’s first kollel families, and Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l gave them a bracha that Torah would remain in their family l’dorei doros. That legacy, together with the influence of his rebbi, Rav Elya Svei zt”l, deeply influenced his commitment to supporting Torah across the world.

R’ Reuven Wolf then described the humble foundings of Keren Olam HaTorah three years ago, which has since grown into an international movement that has generated nearly $300 million for mosdos and lomdei Torah across Eretz Yisroel. He also recounted a call he had with Mr. Alberto Safra earlier that day, in which Mr. Safra expressed deep concern over the severe financial pressures facing thousands of yungeleit.

Rav Don Segal shlit”a invoked Moshe Rabbeinu’s call of “מי לה’ אלי,” urging attendees to step up at this critical moment. He compared today’s supporters to those whose names were recorded for eternity after helping rebuild the walls of Yerushalayim at the beginning of the Second Bais Hamikdash.

Rav Shimon Galei shlit”a, who came to the reception directly from the airport, said there is no fear that Torah will disappear. Hakadosh Baruch Hu has already guaranteed its eternity. The question is only who will be zoche to be counted among those who sustained it.

At another gathering at the home of Mr. Ruby Schron, the host recalled growing up in poverty on the Lower East Side during World War II. One Erev Shabbos, after his mother had managed to purchase only a single chicken, a needy person came to the door. She immediately cut the chicken in half and gave half away, teaching her son never to turn away a fellow Yid when he could help.

Mr. Schron also recalled how his rebbi, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, once urged him, Mr. Herzka, and others to assist mosdos facing major funding cuts. Rav Shmuel assured them that if they accepted the responsibility, Hakadosh Baruch Hu would give them the means to continue.

Rav Don explained that Hakadosh Baruch Hu rewards every effort made for Torah. At Akeidas Yitzchok, the Torah separately records that Avraham Avinu extended his hand toward the knife because even that single movement carried incalculable value. 

A third reception was hosted by Mr. Yaakov Mishan. Rav Avraham Salim shlit”a extolled the partnership between the lomdei torah and the tomchei torah. Rav Don stressed that the supporters must share the burden of the lomdei Torah, while Rav Yaakov Hillel shlit”a spoke of the privilege of Torah being sustained solely by Jews who cherish it. 

The final reception took place at the home of Mr. Zevy Kohn. Mr. Kohn spoke of the sacrifices made by the Gedolei Yisroel, noting that Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a had recently collapsed from exhaustion during a trip to America on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah.

Rav Yaakov Hillel, speaking at the reception, urged tomchim to recognize the opportunity placed before them, and Rav Yosef Chevroni described how much more painful the gezeiros against Torah are when they come from fellow Jews, as is taking place now in Eretz Yisroel.