Leading Litvishe Philanthropists Join Gerrer Torah Fund Campaign

In a development few anticipated, major philanthropists from the Litvishe community have joined the fundraising efforts of the Olam HaTorah campaign initiated by the Gerrer chassidus. The campaign, launched during the current visit of the Gerrer Rebbe to the United States, has rapidly gained momentum and expanded its reach far beyond the Gerrer circles.

The shift came into public view after the Gerrer Rebbe paid a condolence visit to the home of the late philanthropist Rav Avrohom Noach Klein z”l. The next stop on the Rebbe’s itinerary was the home of Rav Shmuel Dovid Shapiro, a well-known supporter of Torah who had recently pledged $1 million to the Gerrer fund.

There, Reb Shapiro hosted an exclusive dinner attended not only by members of the Gerrer community, but by prominent Litvishe magnates and philanthropists as well. Attendees included Ralph Herzka, Louie Scheiner, Reuven Wolf, Baruch Jeremias, Yitzchok Rokowsky, and many other wealthy figures from across the Orthodox world.

The evening began with Mincha and continued with a formal dinner, where speakers described the dire situation currently facing the Olam HaTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

Parallel to the high-profile visits, a steady stream of more intimate donor meetings has been taking place at the home of philanthropist Yaakov Klein, the host of the Rebbe during this leg of the trip. There, benefactors from a wide range of backgrounds—ranging from Satmar supporters to Syrian-Jewish business leaders—have been arriving to express their support.

Originally slated to conclude before Shabbos, the Rebbe’s U.S. visit has now been extended due to the overwhelming success of the campaign. This coming Shabbos, the Rebbe will be in Monsey at the home of philanthropist Meir Frei. The Shabbos event will host major donors from Eretz Yisroel and Europe, with the entry cost reportedly set at $250,000 per guest.

Sources close to the campaign say that if current trends continue, the Gerrer Olam HaTorah fund will raise enough money to support its avreichim for the next two years.

{Matzav.com}