Top Rabbis Endorse Charity Drive Honoring Late Rabbi Kanievsky

Prominent Lithuanian rabbis have endorsed a charity campaign by 'Kupat Ha'Ir' (The City Fund), continuing the legacy of the late Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, revered as 'Sar HaTorah' (Minister of Torah). A letter from Rabbi Kanievsky from previous years, which gained significant attention, blessed donors to Kupat Ha'Ir with 770 days of a sweet new year, stating that charity to the fund is the most esteemed form of charity for averting harsh decrees. He concluded that those who donate will surely have harsh decrees removed and be found righteous.

For the upcoming Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) of 5787 (2026), a group of leading rabbis, including Rabbi Meir Sternbuch, Rabbi Boruch Dov Povarsky, and Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, issued a joint statement. They affirmed that Rabbi Kanievsky's words remain valid for the current year, emphasizing that daily charity to Kupat Ha'Ir will avert harsh decrees and lead to a righteous judgment, as decreed by Rabbi Kanievsky. They urged adherence to his practice, including mentioning Kupat Ha'Ir donors during the Rosh Hashanah Seder meal.

The campaign highlights a special opportunity for donors to be remembered in prayers by thirteen prominent righteous individuals, known as the 'Thirteen Shepherds of Israel.' These figures are expected to pray for Kupat Ha'Ir donors on Rosh Hashanah, particularly during the Seder meal, asking for a sweet new year, abundant merits like a pomegranate, and the downfall of their enemies. This special prayer is specifically for those who donate 770 shekels, corresponding to the number of days in the year.

Kupat Ha'Ir has established an expanded call center to assist the public in making donations of 770 shekels before the Day of Judgment, enabling them to receive Rabbi Kanievsky's explicit blessing for the new year.