A delegation of leading Gedolei Yisroel arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon following a nearly 20-hour journey, launching a major fundraising mission on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah that has already included an emergency gathering, meetings with prominent Torah supporters, a wedding appearance and a dramatic $1 million commitment inspired by a historic letter from Rav Yerucham Levovitz of Mir.
The special mission began on Motzoei Shabbos, when Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Shimon Galai, Rav Yehoshua Eichenstein and Rav Yosef Chevroni departed for Mexico. They were joined from the United States by Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler and by Tiferes Avigdor Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yisroel Brog.
The delegation landed in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon after close to 20 hours of travel. Distinguished members and representatives of the local Jewish community were waiting at the airport to greet the Gedolei Yisroel, where a special reception was held. The commander of the Mexico City police also participated in the welcoming ceremony.
After leaving the airport, the Gedolei Yisroel traveled in a motorcade to a series of gatherings scheduled throughout Mexico City. Police vehicles accompanied the convoy as part of the security arrangements and special honors accorded to the delegation.
Later in the day, an emergency meeting and inaugural gathering was held at the home of philanthropist Rabbi Daniel Salvador, president of the Monte Sinai community, which represents Jews of Syrian and Damascus origin in Mexico. Local rabbanim and numerous supporters of Torah from the region attended the gathering at his home in the Bosques neighborhood.
The meeting served as a launching point for the emergency fundraising campaign in the region, with the Gedolei Yisroel speaking about the urgency of the current situation and the responsibility to come to the aid of the Torah world. One particularly emotional moment came when Rav Shimon Galai danced with the philanthropists to the words, “Tov li Toras picha mei’alfei zahav vachesef” — “The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands in gold and silver.”
The Gedolei Yisroel subsequently visited the home of philanthropist Rabbi Isser Rabinowitz, where another special gathering was held. They urged members of the community to continue the historic partnership between Jewish philanthropists and the Torah world, emphasizing the particular importance of that support during the current period.
Rav Yisroel Avigdor, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Avigdor, told those assembled that supporting Keren Olam HaTorah represents an investment unlike any other. He compared it to investing in the finest possible real estate, “even in the Empire State Building.”
Rav Yosef Chevroni likewise spoke about the unique opportunity of the moment, declaring, “The moment Moshiach arrives, there will no longer be an opportunity to give money. Grab this opportunity now.”
During the evening, the delegation attended the major wedding celebration joining two families that support Keren Olam HaTorah. The chosson, a son of philanthropist Rabbi Yosef Sanado, married the daughter of philanthropist Rabbi Yitzchok Ashkenazi. The wedding was held at the Beit Yosef synagogue in the Tecamachalco neighborhood, where members of the community welcomed the Gedolei Yisroel with great honor.
A special dinner was held afterward at the home of philanthropist Rabbi Adolf Matzliach, who welcomed the Gedolei Yisroel and the other guests attending the gathering.
Rav Eichenstein spoke about the importance of unity and identifying oneself as part of the broader Jewish community, saying, “An important thing that we must work on during the days of Elul is to be part of the community, to be one body with all of Klal Yisroel.”
One of the most moving moments of the dinner came when Miami philanthropist Rabbi Tzvi Bogomilsky related a remarkable story involving a letter written by Rav Yerucham Levovitz of Mir. Rabbi Bogomilsky said he discovered the letter before hosting a dinner at his home, and the message he found in it ultimately inspired him to contribute $1 million to Keren Olam HaTorah.
Addressing those assembled, Rabbi Bogomilsky spoke about the language shared by Jews everywhere—the love of Torah and the Jewish heart.
“I don’t speak English or Spanish, but there is one thing we all speak: the language of the heart. Travel anywhere in the world, everyone learns the same Torah, and therefore we will all contribute to Keren Olam HaTorah.”
The Mexico mission is continuing with additional gatherings and meetings as the Gedolei Yisroel seek to strengthen financial support for the Torah world and deepen the partnership between Mexican Jewish philanthropists and the yeshivos and kollelim whose continued existence Keren Olam HaTorah was established to support.
{Matzav.com}
