Keren Olam HaTorah’s mission to the US arrived in Passaic on Sunday, June 14, with the kehilla turning out in droves to welcome Harav Dov Landau and demonstrate its solidarity with the lomdei Torah of Eretz Yisroel.

The visit began with a donor reception at the home of R' Ezra David. Addressing the gathering, Rav Dov offered a heartfelt bracha to all those who have partnered with Keren Olam HaTorah, expressing his appreciation for their commitment to sustaining Torah during this critical period. He bentched the supporters of the Keren and all their families with abundant siyata d'Shmaya, and that they should be zoche to learn Torah with menuchas hanefesh and harchavas hadaas.

The reception also featured remarks from the host, R' Ezra David, along with R' Shimon Glick and R' Ralph Herzka, and generated significant pledges to the Keren.

The centerpiece of the visit was a large public asifa held at Yeshiva K’tana of Passaic, where young and old filled the hall, joined by many of the city's rabbanim and roshei yeshiva, including  Harav Meir Stern, the mara d’asra of the kehilla and famed rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic. 

The program, emceed by Mr. Barry Lebowitz, opened with Tehillim. Rav Eliezer Breslauer, Rosh Kollel Avreichim of Passaic and son-in-law of Rav Meir Stern, introduced Rav Dov Landau, who then delivered the keynote address.

In his remarks, Rav Dov described the extraordinary outpouring of support for Keren Olam HaTorah as one of the greatest forms of kiddush Shem Shamayim. The sight of kehillos across America rallying behind the lomdei Torah of Eretz Yisroel, he said, is a powerful demonstration of the centrality of Torah in every yid’s life. He urged every individual in attendance to establish a zman kavuah for limud hatorah, reminding them that there is no greater enjoyment in life than yegiah b’torah. 

The asifa concluded with spirited singing of "Achas Sho'alti.," and as the crowd sang the words "Shivti b'veis Hashem kol yemei chayai," Rav Dov clapped along joyously, visibly moved by the moment.