Thousands of Elderly Scholars Celebrate Massive Talmud Completion in Jerusalem with Billionaire Sponsor

Over 2,000 elderly men from the "Tiferet Zekenim Levi Yitzchak" kollelim network gathered at Binyanei HaUma in Jerusalem on Wednesday to mark the completion of Tractate Chagigah, in what is considered one of the largest such events ever held. The participants had studied the tractate for months across 225 kollelim operating in 95 cities throughout Israel. This was the first time they united under one roof, culminating in a moving moment where all stood and recited "Hadran Alach" together.

The event was led by Rabbi Asher Zigdon, chief rabbi of Harish and head of the local kollel. Throughout the evening, video testimonies from learners nationwide highlighted how the kollelim serve as centers of meaning, community life, and spiritual renewal. Rabbi Zvadia Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, noted that the kollelim positively impact family units and emphasized the role of Torah study in personal and communal resilience.

The network currently supports over 2,000 elderly learners daily. One of the event's highlights was a speech by Lev Leviev, chairman of the Bukharian Jewish Congress and the philanthropist funding the kollelim. Celebrating his 70th birthday that day, Leviev pledged support for any community wishing to open a new kollel under the network. In recognition of his ongoing support, Rabbi David Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, presented Leviev with a special parchment scroll signed by more than 2,000 kollel members.

The evening concluded with a performance by singer Ishay Lapidot, after which the participants returned home, having celebrated the central role of Torah study and the place of the elderly in the world of Torah.