Thousands of senior citizens filled the main hall of the Ha'ama Building in Jerusalem this morning (Thursday) for the annual honoring ceremony of the "Tiferet Zakenim Levi Yitzhak" kollel network.
The event, held in the presence of rabbis and dignitaries, attracted thousands of senior citizens from all over the country, who study daily at the Levi Yitzhak Tiferet Zakenim kollel in their local area. All gathered to celebrate the achievements of the kollelim and unite in Torah study ahead of the new school year.
A particularly busy program awaited the 'Avrechim', led by the world's largest tractate graduation ceremony, for all the older Avrechim.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
The keynote speech, "Ateret Zakenim," was delivered by Chabad emissary, renowned lecturer Rabbi Shneur Ashkenazi, who spoke about the importance of studying Torah in old age. "You celebrate and I cry," said Rabbi Ashkenazi, describing with excitement how the fulfillment of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's vision is becoming a reality.
A wonderful speech was delivered by the Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, who also held a ceremony to accept the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, which moved the thousands of attendees.
At the center of the event, led by Rabbi Ephraim Kamisar, inspiring stories from the lives of the young men were presented - centered on chilling documentation from a neighborhood in Ofakim, where terrorists infiltrated in the terrible massacre. The adults, many of whom suffered from post-traumatic stress, spoke with great emotion about the medicine whose name includes 'Tiferet Zaken Levi Yitzhak''
The music is played by Rabbi Yoni Shlomo and his band, who enlivened the atmosphere with Hasidic melodies.
The participants enjoyed a lavish bar mitzvah meal with a rich and elegant menu.
Thousands of participants watched documentaries from the Lubavitcher Rebbe and listened to moving words about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, the Rebbe's father, after whom the network of kollelim is named - which is becoming a formidable Torah powerhouse.
The keynote speaker was the central partner in the kollel network, the Hasidic governor Levi Leviev, who spoke about the Rebbe's instruction to establish the kollel network and the prophetic vision regarding the moving relationship between the elderly and those immersed in the world of Torah.
During his speech, Leviev announced the vision to establish no fewer than 1,000 kollels!
The ceremony was signed by Chabad kollel director, Rabbi Shalom Duchman, who came especially from New York. Rabbi Duchman recounted the Rebbe's announcement of the establishment of kollels, which he personally attended during a gathering at the Chabad World Center-770. Rabbi Duchman praised the group of avrechim and strengthened them with additional study.
The event lasted throughout the morning and ended in the afternoon, with participants leaving with a sense of spiritual elevation and renewed strength in Torah study.
The event was led by event producer Rabbi Mandy Merton, Rabbi Moishe Karsik, Rabbi Paula Henig, Rabbi Dubi Brod and Rabbi Dubi Blau.
