Immediately after the tragic stampede in Meron last year on Lag Baomer, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Assistant Rabbi at Chabad Bondi (FREE) of Sydney, Australia, announced a ’45 for 45′ campaign in memory of the 45 Jews who perished.
The goal was to inspire 45 Jewish men who have not until now been putting on Tefillin daily, to commit to putting them on full-time or part-time in memory of the kedoshim.
“The project spread like wildfire,” Rabbi Schlanger said. “Many Russian-speaking Jews from our community have purchased tefillin and committed to putting them on, and this week, we have baruch Hashem reached our goal of 45 people,” he said.
Rabbi Schlanger plans to be in Israel on Lag Baomer to deliver an album of pictures to the families of each of the deceased, of each person who committed to putting on Tefillin holding their new pair of tefillin and an image and name of one of the Kedoshim who the Mitzvah is in memory of.
“We hope that this great Mitzvah will bring some measure of comfort to their families,” Rabbi Schlanger said.
Yasher Koach R’ Eli Schlanger
may this be a zecuhus for the neshmos of the departed
from your fellow shluchim in Sydney
Have you told the family
My neighbor son was one of the 45 who were nifter let’s share only simchos
So proud of my awesome brother! Keep doing your incredible work!
You are a true blessing to the Russian community Eli!
We all admire you
Tanta T
Amazing Eli!! Keep up your incredible work!
What an absolutely great idea.
The neshamos Will surely have a great aliya
Thank you one of the kedoshim was my cousin and he mikareved many I’m sure he’s beaming with this precious gift
This is beyond beautiful, meaningful, and special. My son, Donny Morris is one of those Kedoshim and I can’t thank you enough for this amazing gift & I’m certain this initiative will certainly elevate his Neshama! Words can’t describe my gratitude to you.