First Morning Kollel For Working Men Opens in Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter

Kollel MaRaSH, the first morning Kollel to open in Crown Heights for working yungeleit, is now entering its 3rd month, offering the perfect setting to start the day off right, with a generous monthly stipend.

Located at the 613 Shul at 613 East New York Avenue, 10 working men come together daily at 8:00 AM to immerse themselves in nigla and Chassidus for 2 hours.

The kollel was opened by Mendy Feldman and is named after his grandmother, Mrs. Miriam Raiza Shoshana Feldman OBM, who passed away this year.  “She was a shining example of Chesed and Hachnosas Orchim with an exemplary dedication to the Rebbe,” Feldman told COLlive.com.

“Nowadays, the luxury of learning in kollel full-time isn’t feasible for many,” he said. “It is vital to start the day off right; learning with each other in a yeshiva setting.”

Feldman said he approached businessman and philanthropist Shneur Minsky, who founded 613 Shul, with this idea. “He eagerly allowed us to use the space, free of charge,” Feldman said. “In addition, he provides a daily ‘refreshments table’ which is appreciated by all.”

Feldman said he was guided by Rabbi Levi Browd of Yagdil Torah who generously shared his insight and experience.

The monthly budget of the kollel is $4,000 and 55% of the budget is covered by monthly donors such as Meir and Shlomit Guigue, Maish Richler (לעילוי נשמת דוד בן שמריהו ושלום דובער בן אהרן לייב), Eli Rappoport, Abba Prager, Menachem Lessoff and others who asked to remain anonymous.

“Beyond that,” Feldman said, “We rely on kind donors like you to partner with us. All donations go directly to the kollel yungeleit and there is no overhead.”

He said donations can be made via Paypal at paypal.me/kollelmarash or via Zelle at [email protected] (email to request a tax-deductible receipt). He added that learning can be dedicated on behalf of people.