A mass gathering of over 200 Lakewood, Toms River, and Jackson Rabbanim, from all segments of the community, was held in BMG’s Ateres Esther Hall (located in the Herzka Bais Medrash building), this past Monday.
The distinguished Rabbanim came together in preparation for the highly anticipated BMG Adirei HaTorah (Warriors of Torah) event that will be held after Shavuos. The Rabbanim were briefed about plans for the event and asked to sign a letter expressing their strong support for the event, which will be the first of its kind ever organized by BMG.
The asifa was addressed by the Roshei Yeshiva of BMG, Rav Yeruchim Olshin, shlit”a, and Rav Malkiel Kotler, shlit”a, and the Senior Posek of BMG, Rav Yaakov Efraim Forchheimer, shlit”a, who spoke warmly about the greatness of hachzakas haTorah and of ensuring the Kollel men who dedicate their lives to Torah study on the highest level are properly cared for.
Rav Yehoshua Abba Busel, Rav of High Street, was the emcee and expressed the sentiment that Rabbanim play an important role in perpetuating the limud haTorah in the city.
R’ Lazer Scheiner also spoke briefly and described how he got involved personally after learning that BMG’s yungerleit were only being paid $334 a month and, with the help of a group of devoted activists, had the zechus of making the dream of significantly raising the Kollel check a reality.
At the asifa, R’ Yosef Heinemann, one of the major forces behind the campaign to raise the Kollel check and a member of BMG’s administration, explained, “The purpose and goal of this maamid is to personify the chashivus and the beauty of the yungerman that sits and toils over a blatt Gemara day in and day out, as well as to give over the message that this yungerman’s ameilus b’Torah is what is holding up the world and it is our unique privilege that we have over 6,000 yungaleit that do this in our shtot, the largest Kollel in the world. We are hopeful that when the balhabatim feel, experience and internalize this beauty at the maamid that they will be inspired to partner with the yungaleit and be part of this tremendous Kiddush Hashem of raising up the glory of Torah.”
The Rabbanim were asked to share this message with their kehillos and encourage participation in the gathering.
The Warriors of Torah event will be held on June 12th in the 10,000 seat Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton. It will celebrate the partnership between the yungeleit and the communal activists, led by R’ Lazer Scheiner, who spearheaded last year’s campaign to triple the Kollel check from $334 to $1,000 per month, as well as with the many balhabtim who took part in the campaign.
