Heartful Inspirations and Renewed Dedication to Hasmadah as Yarchei Kallah Comes to a Close

February 20, 2020

By Sandy Eller

Photos by: https://www.shmuelheinemannphoto.com

The morning dawned crisp and cloudy and overflowing with mixed emotions.

Like marathoners nearing the finish line, participants at the Agudah’s 20th annual Yarchei Kallah were filled with anticipation as they readied themselves to soak up every word of every shiur. And yet, amid the exhilaration and excitement was a silent prayer that, somehow, Yehoshuah would miraculously appear to once again utter the phrase “shemesh b’Givon dom, v’yareyach b’emek Ayalon,” holding back the hands of time and extending the Yarchei Kallah, for even just a few more hours.

Armed with the determination to make the most out of their final day and buoyed by the sheer joy of their newly acquired limudim, participants started Thursday morning with a sense of confidence, ready to be inspired. Preparing themselves for the challenges that faced them over the next few hours, lomdim took advantage of opportunities to learn b’chavrusah and to attend hachanah and chazarah shiurim as well as the Yiddish Daf Yomi given by HaRav Naftoli Gefen, Maggid Shiur, Kaminetzer Yeshiva, Yerushalayim and the English Daf Yomi said by Rabbi Elozor Kanner, Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur, White Shul, Far Rockaway.

The first shiur iyun of the day was given by HaRav Pinchos Friedman, Rosh Hakollelim, Belz, who took the participants on a masterful tour of sugyos relevant to the topic of tefillah. Rabbi Friedman, author of the sefer Shiveli Pinchas and the highly popular divrei Torah bearing the same name, exhorted participants to pay special attention to every word of their davening in order to prevent errors that occur all too frequently through lack of attention.

HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rosh Kollel, Bais Dovid, Cholon rov, Ramat Elchanan, Bnei Brak, dazzled the participants with a real-time discussion of shaylos that have been brought to him on a wide variety of topics. Citing multiple poskim in his analysis, Rabbi Zilberstein explained how each source could potentially influence the outcome. A concurrent shiur for the English track was given by HaRav Yitzchak Blau, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Ateres Tzvi, whose interesting discourse into halacha l’maysa of tefilah offered guidance on multiple davening-related matters.

The final shiur of the Yarchei Kallah was a halacha shiur given by HaRav Chaim Mordechai Ausband, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo, who discussed the concept of tashlumim in the fourth brachah of Shmoneh Esrai, Atah chonen l’adam daas. Rabbi Ausband reviewed the brachah’s application as a form of Havdalah, walking listeners through possible scenarios and what corrective actions should be taken when the special Motzoei Shabbos recitation of Atah chonantanu is accidentally omitted.

The women’s contingent enjoyed a full day of hands-on learning that included a trip to Masada and a visit to the remains of the Bayis Sheini era village of Ein Gedi, returning to the Ramada in time to join the Tzeischem L’sholom banquet, the culmination of a week that will be forever remembered. As participants prepared to go their separate ways, phone numbers were exchanged and plans were put in place for future learning, cementing the special bonds forged during the Yarchei Kallah.

“There were many tearful goodbyes but even more promises to continue the incredible hasmadah that we have seen over this week,” said Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, co-chair of the Agudah’s Commission of Torah Projects. “It has been a transformative and uplifting week for each of our participants. We have no doubt that the inspiration of the Yarchei Kallah will touch their hearts every time they open up a siddur.”

The amazing shiurim of the Yarchei Kallah are available online at https://www.aiayk.org/audio-2020/. More photos are available on https://www.aiayk.org/gallery-2020/.

Videos by Moshe Coopersmith; Video Editing by Dovid Gross.

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Avoda Shebalev Takes on Heightened Meaning as Yarchei Kallah Marks Day Three

February 20, 2020

by Sandy Eller

Photographs by: https://shmuelheinemannphoto.com
 
There is something about going back to where it all began to make you remember who you are and what matters most.
 
Taking part in the Agudah’s 20th annual Yarchei Kallah, participants found themselves overtaken by an emotional connection to Eretz Yisroel, knowing that they were following in centuries-old footsteps and are crucial links in a chain extending back to Klal Yisroel’s origins. More than just an educational experience, the Yarchei Kallah has demonstrated that the seforim that have been their constant companions and the experiences they have shared are elements of a mesorah that has been handed down through the generations, one that defines us and has sustained us through the years.
 
The air was electric in the batei medrash as enthusiastic lomdim dove headfirst into the day’s program, sponsored l’iluy nishmas HaRav Yechezkel ben HaRav Naftali Besser. Staples of the Yarchei Kallah, the hakdama and chazara shiurim were given, as always, by Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, co-chair of Agudath Israel of America’s Torah Projects Commission, and Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnai Torah, Flatbush.  In addition to the English Daf Yomi given by Rabbi Yochanan Stengel, Daf Yomi magid shiur, Yesodei HaTorah and menahel, Bnos Yisroel High School, Baltimore, a parallel Yiddish Daf Yomi shiur was said by HaRav Chaim Yehuda Ullman, R’M, Yeshivas Bircas Aryeh, Pressburg, Yerushalayim.
 
Both of the day’s concurrent shiurei iyun addressed the subject of tashlumim in tefilah, understanding how to correct omissions in davening.  HaRav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Chevron, spoke masterfully in Yiddish, while HaRav Yosef Elefant, R”M, Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim, had the Yarchei Kallah’s English track riveted. Both highly regarded rabbonim outlined the halachic, hashkafic and practical backgrounds of the many issues that can arise when tefilos are not said in their proper time.
 
The day’s halacha shiur featured HaRav Nissan Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Das Aaron, tackling the intricacies of zmanim, with a look at how they evolve and their importance as a component of tefilah. In his inimitable style, he addressed different situations that have become commonplace in recent years, such as the importance of paying attention, not talking and other issues of decorum during davening.
 
An evening visit to Kever Rochel had Yarchei Kallah participants pouring out their hearts as they davened for themselves, their families, their communities and for Klal Yisroel. Enveloped by echoes of tefilos dating back millenia, it was an emotional moment for the group, who approached the opportunity to speak directly to the Ribono Shel Olam with unprecedented reverence and a heightened appreciation for the gift of tefilah.
 
Wrapping up the day’s program was HaRav Yeshoshua Yankelowitz, who took listeners on a journey through the history of the Siddur. Rabbi Yankelowitz’s audio-visual presentation explored the origins of tefilah and segued into a discussion of the many nuschaos of davening and how they developed over time. He demonstrated how every word in the Siddur has both a source and a purpose, arming his audience with an extra dimension to bring to their davening.
 
For the women of the Yarchei Kallah, Wednesday brought with it an opportunity to exemplify the timeless words of Shimon Hatzaddik, strengthening the three pillars that sustain the world: Torah, avodah and gemilus chasadim. The morning’s dose of Torah was eloquently delivered by HaRav Meir Tzvi Spitzer, R”M Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim, who explained the incredible power of heartfelt tefilah which can yield miraculous results. Inspired by HaRav Spitzer’s assurances that women’s tefilos have special and far-reaching merits.
 
The nshei chayil of the Yarchei Kallah took the concept of avodah one step further, going to daven at the nearby kever of the Zhviller Rebbe, HaRav Gedalya Moshe Goldman. The women split up into two groups to see the exceptional chesed that happens daily at Puah in its efforts to help couples who struggle with infertility, and rolled up their proverbial sleeves on a visit to Pantry Packers to assemble food packages for needy families. Also on the day’s itinerary were the historic excavations at the southern wall of the Kosel, which include archeological remnants of the steps and gates leading to Har HaBayis as well as the marketplace and streets traversed by the olei regel when they came to the Beis Hamikdash during Mishnaic times.
 
Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, chairman of the Daf Yomi Commission, said he is gratified to see concepts presented over the past three days solidifying in participants’ minds.
 
“Year after year, the information presented seems at first to be unrelated,” he said. “But on day three, there is a chazaka in learning and Yarchei Kallah participants suddenly realize the meaning and the purpose behind things they have been doing their entire lives. The looks on their faces when everything falls into place and they have that ‘aha’ moment is simply priceless.”
 
Photos from the 20th Agudah Yarchei Kallah are up at https://aiayk.org/gallery-2020/. Videos and audio of the sessions can be found at https://aiayk.org/audio-2020/.

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Participants at Kever Rochel



Halfway In, Participants Seizing Every Moment to Learn as Agudah Yarchei Kallah Continues

February 20, 2020

by Sandy Eller

Photo Credits: https://www.shmuelheinemannphoto.com

It is a timeless ma’amar chazal that is familiar to all, but participants at the Agudah’s Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah saw the words avira d’Eretz Yisroel machkim coming to life on Tuesday as they began day two of their learning.

Inhaling Torah with their every breath of Yerushalmi air, participants have already found their davening transformed by Monday’s shiurim, and by 6:30 AM, the main ballroom at the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel was already buzzing as the day began with the Daf Yomi shiur given by the Agudah’s Daf Yomi Commission chairman, Rabbi Gedalia Weinberger, daf yomi maggid shiur at Agudath Israel Zichron Chaim Tzvi of Madison.

The day’s shiurei iyun delved deeply into the sugya d’kallah, with HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky, Rosh Yeshiva, Ponovez speaking in Yiddish and HaRav Yosef Chevroni, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Chevron, addressing the Yarchei Kallah’s English track. The senior Rosh Yeshiva of the prestigious Ponovez yeshiva spoke warmly, offering clear explanations on various circumstances pertaining to the zmanim for Mincha. Rabbi Chevroni began his shiur by showering praise on participants for leaving their everyday lives behind to spend their week at the Yarchei Kallah. He further engaged his audience with a discussion on determining precedence between tefilos when conflicts arise. HaRav Asher Weiss, Av Beis Din, Darchei Hora’ah, kept lomdim spellbound for almost two hours, offering halachic perspectives and answering dozens of questions on a wide range of tefilah-related topics including davening on an airplane and in various emergency situations.

As always, the day’s schedule included time for learning b’chavrusa and hachana and chazara shiurim given by Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, co-chair of Agudath Israel of America’s Torah Projects Commission, and Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnai Torah, Flatbush.

The already upbeat tenor of the Yarchei Kallah was further enhanced by Rabbi Shimon Lefkowitz’s siyum on Maseches Brachos, made in memory of his parents, Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Shoshana Lefkowitz, patriarchs of the Agudah family, who devoted themselves to tzorchei tzibur.

Following the siyum, HaRav Shragi Kallus, Rav Khal Imrei Pi, Ramat Shlomo and Rosh Kollel, Machon L’Horaah L’Rabbonim, launched into an energetic discussion of Chazaras HaShatz and its status as a crucial component of our tefilos, enhancing the individual’s Shmone Esrai in multiple ways. Rabbi Kallus recalled how impressed he was to see balabatim dedicating themselves to an intense week of Torah study at his first Yarchei Kallah 20 years ago, adding that he never imagined that one day he would be returning to the annual event as a maggid shiur.

The final speaker of the evening was HaRav Mordechai Kuber, Rabbi, Ohel Avraham Nachlas Tzvi, Telz Stone, who addressed the differences between real time and shaos zemaniyos. Rabbi Kuber used an audio-visual presentation to guide listeners through a detailed discussion on calculating halachic hours, shedding light on complicated concepts that figure prominently into tefilah.

It was an equally full schedule for the Yarchei Kallah’s ezras nashim, who left the Ramada at 8:45 AM and headed north for a full day of touring. A visit to Chatzor, the Middle East’s largest historic site, provided an opportunity to see historical artifacts recovered from the city, which was burned to the ground by Yehoshuah and later rebuilt by Shlomo Hamelech. After a stop at the nearby kever of Choni Hameagel, the women had lunch and heard Mrs. Tova Mordechai, a former evangelical minister, share how she found herself drawn to yiddishkeit, becoming a giyores and committing to a life of Torah and mitzvos. Moving on to Tzefas, the women split into two groups, with some visiting the kevarim of the Arizal, Rav Yosef Karo, Reb Leib Baal Hayisurim and additional gedolim. Others took a guided tour through the Old City, taking in its historic shuls, narrow alleyways and colorful art galleries.

Despite the long day, participants seemed reluctant to see Tuesday draw to a close, marking the official halfway point of the Yarchei Kallah. Rabbi Eliyahu Simcha Bamberger, national director of the Agudah’s Daf Yomi Commission, related that when one of the shiurim finished ahead of schedule and the maggid shiur was informed that there was still more time available, he returned to the podium, with participants bursting into simultaneous, spontaneous applause.

“They were thrilled by the opportunity to spend another 20 minutes soaking up divrei Torah from this esteemed Rov,” said Rabbi Bamberger. “This is what the Yarchei Kallah is all about, seeing people leaving everything behind and spending a week basking in the glow of the illustrious rabbonim who grace us with their presence. The participants are truly taking advantage of every precious minute to live the words ‘Tov li Toras picha mayalfei zahav v’chesef.”

Audio and video recordings of the Yarchei Kallah are available on https://aiayk.org/audio-2020/.

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Hislahavus, Hasmada and Achdus Abound as Agudah Yarchei Kallah Opens in Yerushalayim

February 20, 2020

Photo Credits: https://www.shmuelheinemannphoto.com/

by Sandy Eller

By all accounts, it was an unbelievable transformation.
 
What hours earlier had been a typical hotel ballroom in the heart of Yerushalayim had become a full-fledged bais medrash, the kol Torah bouncing vigorously off the walls. Chavrusas of all ages pulled out their seforim and mareh mekomos as preparation for the first of many shiurim of the long awaited 20th annual Agudah Yarchei Kallah got underway. Each morning begins with limud b’chavrusah as well as a hachanah shiur by Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, helping participants prepare for the day to come.
 
A long-awaited hakdamah shiur was delivered by HaRav Asher Weiss, Av Beis Din, Darchei Hora’ah, who spoke extensively and without any notes on the concepts of tefila and avoda. Rav Weiss cited numerous sources in an in-depth discussion of tefila as avoda shebalev and ascertaining its status as a chiyuv d’rabanan or a chiyuv d’oraysah.
 
HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Ateres Yisroel, Yerushalayim, delivered a shiur iyun for the Yiddish track. Despite being in his mid-nineties, Rabbi Ezrachi’s delivery was extremely energetic, his stature creating an excitement for limud haTorah and a feeling of connection to the previous generations. The concurrent English shiur was given by HaRav Meir Tzvi Spitzer, R”M Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim, who spoke eloquently and engagingly on proper hanhagos and kavanos in shemonah esrei, especially the first paragraph of Avos, advising listeners to take gradual steps in their quest to infuse their tefilos with proper kavanah.
 
The afternoon sessions concluded with a special address by HaRav Yaakov Hillel, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivat Chevrat Ahavat Shalom. Speaking with his signature wit and charm, HaRav Hillel offered fascinating insights into using tefila, emunah and bitachon as tools to become close to the Ribono Shel Olam and discussed kavanah and its related ramifications.
 
It was a packed house for the final component of Monday’s program, an audio-visual presentation of “The influence of Kabbalah and the Nusach of the Arizal in our Tefilos“, given by Rabbi Daniel Travis, Rosh Kollel, Toras Chaim, Yerushalayim. Delving into the intricacies of the different nuschaos of davening, Rabbi Travis shed light on how each one evolved into the versions we have in our siddurim today and offered insights on the influence of the Arizal on tefila.
 
The women of the Yarchei Kallah enjoyed an equally fulfilling day. It included a dynamic lecture given by the highly regarded Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish, menaheles of the Masores Rochel Seminary, whose annual address is always a highlight of the ladies’ program. Speaking to an audience that included many outsiders who came to be uplifted, Rebbetzin Tarshish held her audience spellbound as she expounded on the power of tefila in relation to the upcoming yom tov of Purim. Participants also took advantage of a golden opportunity to visit Kever Rochel and to pour their hearts out in poignant prayer, knowing that their bakashos were being heard at a makom tefila whose emotional properties and inherent kedushah holds special meaning, especially for Jewish mothers.
 
Rabbi Avrohom Nisan Perl, director of the Torah Projects Commission of Agudath Israel of America, noted that while each year’s Yarchei Kallah has its own special personality, there is an unparalleled sense of achdus and hislahavus this year.
 
“The bais medrash is filled to capacity and every shiur has been packed,” said Rabbi Perl. “It’s hard not to be amazed by the diligence and bonding that has already taken place. The million dollar smiles that you see as sugyas become clear are a reflection of the incredible love for Torah that is already making this year’s Yarchei Kallah one that will long be remembered.”
Audio and video recordings of the Yarchei Kallah are available on https://aiayk.org/audio-2020/.

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Flatbush Participants at Yarchei Kallah



Memories of the Siyum HaShas Inspire as Agudah Yarchei Kallah Unfolds in Yerushalayim

February 20, 2020

Video: Bnei Brak Welcomes Yarchei Kallah 2020

by Sandy Eller

Glimpses of greatness set the tone for the week as participants in the 20th annual Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah spent a breathless Sunday on a journey that spanned the continents and the centuries, inspiring them to reach for the highest heights in limud haTorah.
 
Buoyed by the inspiration that reached unprecedented levels 46 days ago at the Siyum HaShas, hundreds left their day to day lives and businesses behind to join Agudath Israel of America’s Torah Projects Commission at the Yarchei Kallah to plumb the depths of the sugyah d’kallah, which this year delves into inyanei tefilah. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, and businessmen from all across the globe cast aside their regular schedules, arriving in Yerushalayim to take advantage of a pre-Yarchei Kallah visit to the Israel Museum in Givat Ram where they took in a breathtaking display of antiquities dating back to both the first and second batei mikdash. An early evening reception at the Ganei HaDekel Hall hosted by the city of Bnei Brak gave participants an opportunity to hear from HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshiva,Yeshivas Slabodka and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, who spoke in English on the traits of humility and gayva, and the often insidious ways that negative middos can creep into our daily existence. The assembled were also greeted by Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus, Secretary of Degel HaTorah, on behalf of the city of Bnei Brak.
 
It was a short walk to the Lederman shul on Rechov Rashbam for the next segment of the program which was livestreamed to allow participants from all over the world to join the Yarchei Kallah program.  Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, co-chairman of the Torah Projects Commission, introduced the evening and noted that the chiyuv of understanding hilchos tefilah is greater than that of other limudim. An aura of reverence enveloped the bais medrash as the Sar HaTorah, Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, was brought into the room, with participants awed by the rare opportunity to be in close proximity to the revered gadol hador. As in previous years, HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rosh Kollel, Bais Dovid in Cholon and Rav, Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak lit up the room with his hadras ponim as he spoke warmly about the power of Torah to create unbreakable bonds within Klal Yisroel. Rav Chaim extended his brachos to the members of the Yarchei Kallah, who left Bnei Brak inspired, ready to get a good night’s sleep to prepare them for a full day of learning at the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel on Monday morning.
 
The Yarchei Kallah was instituted in 2001 during the first intifada at the direction of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt’l as a demonstration of chizuk for those living in Eretz Yisroel under trying circumstances. The program has grown with every passing year in length and breadth and now incorporates both Yiddish and English tracks as well as a full women’s program. Far from being just a five-day event, the Yarchei Kallah has grown into a year-round phenomenon, with chavrusas spending months exploring the sugya d’kallah. Shiurim and teleconferences throughout the year give participants an opportunity to grasp the vast quantity of material in entirety so that they can make the most of every precious moment of the Yarchei Kallah.
 
“It is incredible to see the momentum generated 6,000 miles away at MetLife Stadium and at all of the siyumim worldwide continuing to build here at the Yarchei Kallah,” said Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director of the Agudah. “The excitement in the air is so strong that you can literally touch it with your hands.  We have no doubt that the passion for limud Torah that we saw exploding at the Siyum HaShas will burn brighter than ever before as the Yarchei Kallah gets underway.”
 
Photo Credits: Ariel Dolgopyat

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HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Slobodka Bnei Brak and Member of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Giving Divrei Pesicha to the Participants in Bnei Brak

HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rosh Kollel, Bais Dovid, Cholon Rav, Ramat Elchanan, Bnei Brak, Greeting Yarchei Kallah Participants in the Presence of Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievsky

 

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Partial View of the Crowd in the Lederman Shul

 



Continuing the Momentum of the Siyum HaShas, Hundreds Returning to the Beis Hamedrash, Agudah’s Yarchei Kallah Set to Begin in Yerushalayim

February 20, 2020

by Sandy Eller

Having soared to immeasurable heights at the Siyum HaShas, the Torah community is just days away from a golden opportunity to take to the skies yet again, as the Agudath Israel of America’s annual Yarchei Kallah is set to unfold in Yerushalayim.

Run by the Agudah’s Torah Projects Commission, this year’s Yarchei Kallah will take place February 16th to February 20th and will delve into the intricacies of inyanei tefilah, building on concepts recently covered in Daf Yomi. Other areas to be addressed throughout the four day Yarchei Kallah include zmanei tefilah, tashlumim, kavanah, brachos and kriyas Shema, as well as the evolution of different nuschaos and appreciating davening as an integral part of our avodas Hashem.

As in recent years, the program will begin on Sunday night with a Pesichas Yarchei Kallah event at the Lederman shul on Rechov Rashbam in Bnei Brak, where participants will have the zechus of being in the presence of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and hearing from HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein. After enjoying a welcome dinner in Bnei Brak hosted by the city of Bnei Brak led by its Mayor, Rav Avraham Rubinstein, participants from all over the world will be bused to their home base for the next four days, the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel. Both the Yiddish and English tracks of the Yarchei Kallah will include multiple shiurim, presentations and night programming featuring many of the Gedolei Torah in Eretz Yisrael, including senior Roshei Yeshiva and poskim. A separate women’s program will have participants visiting mekomos hekedoshim and other significant locations as well as multiple shiurim given by prominent speakers.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Agudath Israel of America’s Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah program,which has evolved over the years from its humble beginnings as a show of support for those living in Eretz Yisroel during the first intifada. In addition to growing in size with every passing year, the demographics have changed as well, with the program attracting English speakers, a younger audience and even multi-generational groups, with fathers, sons and even grandsons flocking to the Ramada to share the experience of immersing themselves in the sugya d’kallah.

Several hundred people have already signed up for the Yarchei Kallah and registration is continuing at www.aiayk.org. Hachanah shiurim will be taking place nightly in Brooklyn, Lakewood and Passaic and can be joined via teleconference, with previously given preparatory shiurim available for download on the Yarchei Kallah website. Rabbi Eliyahu Simcha Bamberger, national director of the Agudah’s Daf Yomi Commission, commented that coming on the heels of the Siyum HaShas, excitement is running high for this year’s program.

“With tens of thousands of people starting to learn Daf Yomi, we are seeing an unprecedented thirst for Torah,” said Rabbi Bamberger. “We are confident that those who invest just a few days in the Yarchei Kallah will see a lifetime of dividends as they enjoy an unparalleled opportunity for chizuk and limud haTorah at Agudah’s Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah.”

At the Yerushalayim Yarchai Kallah 2019: The dais at the Lederman Shul, Rabbi Avrohom Rubinstein at left

Photo Credits: www.shmuelheinemannphoto.com