Community Magazine August 2019

AV - ELUL 5779 AUGUST 2019 29 Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky speaking at the Sunday breakfast. He similarly compared TU with the ancient sage Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Gamla, who, as the Talmud relates, built yeshivot throughout Israel, and whom the Gemara credits with saving Torah from being forgotten. “If not for TU creating and sustaining yeshivot and day schools throughout the country,” Rav Ezrachi said, “the Torah would be forgotten in many places.” Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz, TU’s National Director, spoke with great admiration of the special respect for, and trust in, rabbis that distinguish the Syrian community. This reverence, he said, is what has led to the community’s growth and has kept it firmly committed to Torah throughout the decades, despite the enormous spiritual challenges posed by modernity and American culture. “I Couldn’t BelieveWhat I Was Seeing” Many community members took advantage of the unique opportunity given to hear wisdom and insight from Rav Brudny, one of the most sought-after authorities on issues involving interpersonal relationships and hinuch . A special oneg Shabbat with Rav Brudny was held at the home of Rabbi Meyer Yedid, Rosh Yeshiva of YDE, where Rav Brudny fielded questions such as: How do we teach middot to our children? How hard should we push our children to study Torah? Should we force young children to attend the synagogue? The discussions lasted until after midnight. Rav Brudny also led an exclusive Q&A session for yeshiva and kollel students at the Kollel of Long Branch. Over 150 young men assembled to hear the great rabbi speak. His messages included the strong statement that one who does not ensure to recite Shema before the halachic deadline, or one who uses an unfiltered smartphone, cannot be considered a ben Torah . Rav Brudny heaped lavish praise on the community, admitting that when he was told he would be praying at the kollel, he imagined a basement with 20 men. Instead, he found a massive building with 500 people in attendance for Shaharit , and 500 men studying Torah intensively two hours before Minha . “I couldn't believe what I was seeing and how the community has grown,” he enthused. Meanwhile, in the Deal section of Jersey, 300 congregants were privileged to receive a special blessing from Rabbi Ezrachi at Congregation Beit Yosef, which is run by Rabbis Michael and Joey Haber. After Shaharit , the elderly Rosh Yeshiva was walked down to the Deal Synagogue, where he addressed Rabbi David Sutton and Rabbi David Ozeri’s congregations. On the way, fathers and children approached him, excitedly seeking the great sage’s blessing. The renowned scholar Rav Hillel David attended Shaharit services at Rabbi Shmuel Choueka’s Ohel Simha Synagogue in Long Branch. During the breakfast that was served after Shaharit , some 400 congregants heard a special address by Rabbi Shlomo Diamond, Rosh Kollel of the Deal Kollel, who walked to Ohel Simha specially to speak at this gathering. Rabbi Diamond reviewed the history of TU, emphasizing the staunch support the organization received from the leading American sages of the post-Holocaust era, including Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Mordechai Gifter. Rav Hillel David spoke about the unique hinuch challenges faced by today’s parents, and noted the valuable services that TU offers the community, having invested over $5 million in Sephardic education. The rabbi warmly encouraged everyone to attend the Sunday morning fundraiser. Community Rabbis at Welcoming event. (L-R) Rabbi Rachamim Aboud, Mr. Harry Adjmi, Mr. Sammy Sasson-host, Rabbi Shlomo Diamond, Rabbi David Ozeri, and Rabbi Shmuel Choueka. Community members greet Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky.