Kollel Beth Medrosh of Monsey, one of the oldest kollelim in Monsey led by Rav Tzvi Elimelech Waxman (seen in photo), will be opening the doors to its new bais medrash, Zichron Yechiel Meir, today. The day will be celebrated with a seudas mitzvah in the hall of the new building. The guest speaker will be Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia.
The bais medrash is named after Rav Waxman’s son, Rav Yechiel Meir z”l, who was niftar three years ago. Rav Yechiel Meir was known to the Lakewood community as the longtime administrator of the Lakewood Cheder, Bais Faiga Girls School, and gabbai in Bais Medrash Govoah’s main bais medrash. His deeds of kindness and his dedication to the tzibbur were well-known.
Over thirty years ago, Rav Tzvi Elimelech Waxman sought to accomplish something of lasting value for the community of Monsey. Seeking the advice of gedolei Yisroel, Rav Waxman traveled to Williamsburg to the Satmar Rebbe zt”l, who advised him to start a kollel. Rav Waxman also went to Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l to seek his advice. Based on a Gemara in Maseches Kesubos, Rav Moshe said that whatever one can to do enhance the honor of the Torah takes precedence. Thus, if there is a choice between becoming a teacher oneself or opening a kollel, a kollel comes first. Though teaching is a very great zechus, he said, a kollel is the maker of teachers.
With that, Rav Waxman opened Beth Medrosh of Monsey. With additional blessings from Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l and the Skverer Rebbe shlit”a, the kollel opened its doors with five members. Today, Beth Medrosh of Monsey supports almost 30 full-time talmidei chachomim.
Throughout the years, the kollel has been host not only to its own members, but also to many distinguished rabbonim, including Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, Rav Mordechai Schwab zt”l, Rav Shmiel Taubenfeld zt”l and Rav Mordechai Savitzky zt”l. In addition, for three years, the yeshiva of Rav Shmuel Feivelson shlit”a, Bais Medrosh L’Torah, enjoyed the kollel‘s hospitality during the Yomim Noraim. Now, as well, Beth Medrosh of Monsey hosts the Brisker Kollel on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim.
In 5767, Rav Waxman decided that the learning accommodations of the yungeleit had to be improved and he undertook to build a new home for the kollel.
Beth Medrosh of Monsey has earned its reputation through many remarkable Torah accomplishments. Members of the kollel have published seforim and gone on to serve as roshei yeshiva, maggidei shiur, dayanim and rabbonim. The kollel has produced over 50 alumni who hold communal positions. This past year, one of the kollel members made a Siyum HaShas after over 12 years of toil. Another member of the kollel made a siyum of the four chalokim of Shulchan Aruch.
Rav Waxman expressed tremendous appreciation to all those who participated in making this achievement a reality, including the building chairman, Mr. Benzion Lebovits, and the members of the building committee, Mr. Yechiel Lebovits, Mr, Naftoli Silberberg, Mr. Yitzi Scheiner, Mr. Shmuel Breuer and Mr. Max Pesach. He added heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Mechel Tauber for the dedication he has shown throughout the undertaking.
The entire community is invited to participate in the upcoming chanukas habayis today. The seudas mitzvah will begin at 3 p.m. in the hall of the bais medrash, located at 3 Harvest Court in Monsey.
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