Brooklyn Emergency Fundraising Tour Draws Emotional Appeals for Torah Support

On the fourth day of the ‘Keren Olam HaTorah’ tour, a series of concentrated dinners was held across Brooklyn, attended by leading rabbis from Israel and joined by Rabbi Shmuel Galai, who flew to the United States במיוחד to take part in the strengthening events. The first dinner took place at the home of Olam HaTorah benefactor R' Ralph Herzka in the Flatbush neighborhood. The host opened the event with remarks and spoke tearfully about the great love of Torah instilled in his home by his parents, and about the great privilege he has had to support and assist Olam HaTorah. He emphasized the sense of responsibility and the merit of being a partner in sustaining Torah students.

Later, the mashgiach, Rabbi Dan Segal, delivered moving remarks, saying: “Just as those who took part in building the walls of Jerusalem in the days of the Second Temple merited that their names be remembered forever, so too those who donate now to save Olam HaTorah will merit immense, unimaginable rewards for all eternity!” After him, Rabbi Shmuel Galai spoke and said: “When the Messiah comes, you will be able to say: I had a part in bringing the Messiah! Torah and charity will bring the redemption.”

A second dinner was then held at the home of benefactor Rabbi Ruby Schran, where the host spoke about his mother’s self-sacrifice for the commandment of charity, despite the fact that the family had lived in poverty and hardship in the past. During the event, leading rabbis spoke about the gravity of the hour, the emergency situation in Israel, and the responsibility placed on the entire public to mobilize on behalf of Olam HaTorah.

At the third dinner, held at the home of benefactor Rabbi Yaakov Meshan, Rabbi David Ozri moderated the event and highlighted the distress of Torah scholars in Israel and the urgent need for public involvement. He explained to the benefactors: “Did we ever imagine that people from among us would put Torah scholars in prison? We can do something about it! The more we mobilize, the more help we will receive from Heaven.” Later, the mashgiach, Rabbi Dan Segal, began speaking, but during his remarks he stopped and began sobbing over the persecution and difficulties imposed by the regime of evil on Torah students and servants of God in Israel. He addressed the benefactors and said: “The decrees are very severe. The easiest way for you to help is with money. If the Holy One, blessed be He, sees that you are doing what you can, He will do the rest.”

By the end of the dinners, a deep impression was evident among the participants, as the words of the leading rabbis left a strong sense of responsibility and a practical commitment to continue strengthening Olam HaTorah in Israel.