A delegation of leading Israeli rabbis continued its fundraising mission for Keren Olam HaTorah in Queens on Tuesday, one of New York’s five boroughs and its second largest. The day began with visits to the Beit Yaakov school for girls and the Tiferet Moshe Talmud Torah, where Gaavad Rabbi Aharon Weiss and Rabbi Yitzchak Hevroni arrived under strengthened local security. At the Talmud Torah, students sang “Acheinu” in prayer for the rescue of Jews in Israel, and the rabbis then offered words of encouragement, urging them to keep studying diligently and growing spiritually.
Later, the rabbis held private meetings with philanthropists, speaking about the merit of supporting Torah learning and thanking them for their involvement in Keren Olam HaTorah. Around 3 p.m. local time, they reached Beit Gabriel synagogue, where hundreds of local Jews gathered to hear words of inspiration. The event featured Rabbi Aharon Weiss, Rabbi Aharon Salim, Rabbi Yitzchak Hillel and Rabbi Yitzchak Azrahi, along with guest speaker Rabbi Pesach Krohn. Rabbi Yitzchak Azrahi said the sight of different communities, including Ashkenazim and Bukharim, standing together was “a moving picture of sanctifying God’s name,” as כולם הכריזו together, “Hashem will reign forever and ever.”
At 5 p.m., a rabbis’ assembly was held at Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva, led by Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Dan Segal. The gathering turned into singing and dancing, with the rabbis joining the crowd. During the song “Tattale kum shoin ahaym,” Rabbi Dan Segal covered his face and cried bitterly, moved by the hardship and persecution facing Jews in Israel.
The day concluded with a separate gathering before thousands of seminary girls, who committed to join a telephone fundraising effort across the United States. The event was held behind a curtain. Rabbi Dov Lando praised their role, stressing the importance and spiritual value of their mission, and blessed them warmly for the help they would provide to Keren Olam HaTorah.
