Three Delegations, Four States, 19 Events: Israel’s Torah Leaders Split Up for Fundraising Tour

In an unusual coordinated effort, leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis traveled to the United States and split into three simultaneous delegations on Monday to raise support for Torah institutions in Israel. The campaign, organized for Keren Olam HaTorah, included 19 dinners and strengthening events in four states in a single day, reflecting what organizers described as unprecedented American Jewish enthusiasm for the cause.

One delegation, led by Rabbi Dov Lando, went to Passaic, New Jersey, on Sunday. Local donors and community members attended a series of events centered on support for Torah study in Israel. Lando held an extended public receiving line at his lodging, then attended a private dinner at the home of philanthropist Ezra David, where David, Shimon Glick and Ralph Heretzkaw spoke. Lando urged attendees to stand with Torah scholars in Israel, and the gathering brought in significant donations. He also visited Rabbi Meir Stern, the local rabbi and yeshiva head, who has not left his home for some time, and later addressed a main community event.

A second delegation, led by the mashgiach Rabbi Dov Segal, traveled to Florida and included Rabbi Avraham Salim, Rabbi Yitzhak Hillel, Rabbi Moshe Kotler and Rabbi Yitzhak Hevroni. For the first time on this tour, Rabbi Yitzhak Azrachi of Mir Yeshiva joined, and Rabbi Asher Weiss also took part. The group held private dinners with donors, then a large central rally where Hillel’s song, “Elokai Oz,” was sung as a prayer for the salvation of the Jewish people.

The third delegation, led by Rabbi Shmuel Galei, Rabbi Yitzhak B. Shreiber and Rabbi Haim Meir Ozband, arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were welcomed at Philadelphia Yeshiva by students, Rabbi Shalom Kaminetsky and Rabbi Yehuda Shwe. After meetings at the yeshiva offices and a major reception, they continued on to dinners and meetings with benefactors. Organizers said the tour will continue later this week in additional locations across the country.