More than 35,000 people gathered Thursday evening, June 11, in the municipal parking lot adjacent to Beis Medrash Govoha for one of the largest-ever public demonstrations of support for the Olam Hatorah in Eretz Yisroel. 

Despite the oppressive heat, the crowd filled the grounds and surrounding streets. Families, yungeleit, bnei yeshiva, and baalei batim stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the tens of thousands of lomdei Torah facing growing government pressure and severe financial hardship.

At the center of the dais sat Rav Dov Landau and the delegation of gedolei Yisroel visiting from Eretz Yisroel. They were joined by Beis Medrash Govoha's four Roshei Yeshiva—Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yerucham Olshin, Rav Dovid Schustal, and Rav Yisroel Neuman—as well as Rav Shlomo Kanievsky and numerous rabbanim and roshei yeshiva from across North America.

R’ Tzvi Belsky, one of the leading askanim of Keren Olam HaTorah, opened the program by noting that the enormous turnout reflected Klal Yisroel’s ahavas hatorah and concern for its lomdim. He conveyed the request of the gedolei Yisroel that each participant sponsor one month of learning for an avreich in Eretz Yisroel. The $276 commitment could be paid at once or divided into twelve monthly payments of $23, allowing every Jew to become a shutaf in sustaining Torah.

Rav Malkiel Kotler then spoke, stressing the obligation to uphold kavod haTorah at a time when kavod hatorah is being attacked. The sight of gedolei Yisroel traveling across the world in their advanced age to be mechazek lomdei Torah, he said, was itself an extraordinary expression of kavod haTorah.

Rav Dov Landau reflected on Lakewood’s central role in building Torah across America, tracing the flourishing of Torah on the continent to the vision and sacrifice of Rav Aharon Kotler. He urged the crowd to stand behind the bnei yeshiva and kollel yungeleit of Eretz Yisroel, while also being mechazek their own limud torah and tefillah.

As Rav Dov concluded, the crowd rose for an emotional rendition of “Zedim Hilitzuni.” Moments later, the atmosphere shifted to spirited dancing as tens of thousands joined in “Achas Sho’alti,” transforming the gathering into a powerful declaration of commitment to Torah.

Rav Don Segal followed, stressing that Torah is not a luxury, but the essence of life itself. By assembling in such numbers, he said, Klal Yisroel was declaring that Torah is essential and answering the timeless call of “Mi LaHashem Eilai.” He then led the crowd in “Tataleh Kum Shoin Aheim.”

Rav Yaakov Hillel followed Rav Don, speaking about lomdei Torah being mocked and persecuted in Yerushalayim. The gathering, he said, gave voice to Jews worldwide who stand with the roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, and bnei Torah on the front lines of the struggle.

Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband and Rav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber emphasized that the campaign was about more than just fundraising. Every contribution and every increase in learning represents a choice to stand with kedusha and join the battle for Torah’s future.

The program concluded with Tehillim led by Rav Shimon Galai, Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim led by Rav Avraham Salim, and Maariv led by Rav Yosef Chevroni. 

As the crowd dispersed, thousands stopped at registration stations throughout the area to become partners in Keren Olam HaTorah and support the lomdei Torah of Eretz Yisroel.