Lev L’Achim is gearing up for its annual National Convocation in Eretz Yisroel which will take place today in Bnei Brak. More than 4,000 field workers, program volunteers and the staff of its eleven divisions from all of the Lev L’Achim branches at work in 82 cities in Israel will converge on Bnai Brak for a day of in-service training, symposiums on Kiruv and inspiration.
This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner zt”l. Rav Wosner , rov of Zichron Meir, where the annual Asifa is held in Bnei Brak, was a fixture of the Lev L’Achim gatherings and traditionally delivered the opening remarks at the Maranan V’Rabbanan session. A special video has been compiled featuring clips of Rav Wosner’s addresses through the years.
The highlight of the day is the Ma’amad Maranan V’Rabbanan which brings scores of the leading Gedolei Torah of the country together for one magnificent session. The elder Gedolim address the thousands of assembled Lev L’Achim personnel and are joined each year by a special guest representing the Gedolei Torah of America.
This year, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh HaYeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva and the senior member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, has made the trip to Eretz Yisroel. The arrival of the Rosh Yeshiva has generated a tremendous chizuk amongst the ranks of Lev L’Achim. The fact that one of the elder luminaries of the Torah world has undertaken such a long and arduous journey just to show his solidarity with the p’eylim movement is a source of encouragement that will carry on long after the Asifa is over.
The convention itself is being aired live by Sharelive, and can be accessed by clicking on the following link HERE.
For those who cannot tune in to the live proceedings, there will be a playback feature on the Sharelive link and you can see all or part of the Asifa even after it’s over.
The following is a schedule of what will be happening at the Asifa (all times are for the East Coast of the United States – 7 hours behind Eretz Yisroel).
11:15 AM – Shailos U’Teshuvos: Q&A with Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein presented by Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin. This yearly compendium of halachic questions from the front lines of the Kiruv world is one of the highlights of the annual Asifa.
12:45 PM – Words of Inspiration: The noted Mashgiach, Rav Chizkiyahu Mishkovsky, will deliver his annual message that will resound in the hearts and minds of the Lev L’Achim personnel for a long time to come.
1:15 PM – Ma’amad Maranan V’Rabanan will open with the special video in memory of the Mara D’Asra of Zichron Meir, Rav Shmuel Wosner zt’l, author of Shevet HaLevi and one of the elder Gedolim of the generation.
The presentation will be followed by Rav Gershon Edelstein, Rosh Yeshivas Ponevez and the special guest from America, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshivas Philadelphia. Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rosh Yeshivat Ahavat Shalom, will speak next, followed by Rav Yaakov Edelstein, Mara D’Asra of Ramat HaSharon.
As has become the tradition for this event, the closing address will be delivered by Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman with the attendance of Rav Chaim Kanievsk, who makes this one and only public appearance each year to be mechazek the people of Lev L’Achim. Rav Baruch Shapira of the Lev L’Achim Hanhala will chair the session.
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}
