By COLlive reporter
Photos: Chaim Tuito
Nearly 4,000 kollel members from Bukharian Jewish descent gathered from across Israel at Jerusalem’s Binyanei Hauma Convention Center for the “Keter Torah” event that celebrated their commitment to Torah with immense joy and a renewed sense of purpose.
During the event, financial grants totaling NIS 15 million were distributed to the participants—ranging from NIS 2,000 to NIS 5,000 per avreich—as a tremendous show of support for Torah learners and kollelim.
Leading rabbis graced the event and delivered heartfelt divrei Torah and blessings. Among the speakers were Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef and his elder brother and predecessor, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef Shmuel Betzalel, and Av Beis Din of Tel Aviv, Rabbi Nissim Ben Shimon.
Representing the Bukharian community were Rabbi Zavdya Cohen, Av Beis Din of the Bukharian community; Rabbi Ben-Zion HaKohen Rabin, Rabbi of the Bukharian community in Petach Tikva; Rabbi Shlomo Rabin, President of the Bukharian Rabbinical Union in the U.S., and Rabbi Yitzchak Shmelov, Secretary-General of the Bukharian Rabbinical Union. Also in attendance were Rosh Yeshivat HaMekubalim Rabbi Binyahu Shmueli, and Rabbi Eliyahu Tufik, Rosh Yeshivot Be’er Yehuda.
Traditional Bukharian piyutim enhanced the event, bringing honor to the Torah and the occasion. Renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Lev Leviev, who received wide praise throughout the evening for his generous support of Torah institutions, expressed deep appreciation for the merit of assisting Torah scholars.
Leviev emotionally recalled the Jewish perseverance behind the Iron Curtain under Soviet oppression, including the special Shliach sent by the Rebbe Rashab to guide the Bukharian community. Leviev recounted the strength and clarity he received from the Rebbe’s message to expand and build new kollelim, not merely to maintain the status quo. “The Rebbe’s message continues to guide me to this day,” Leviev said with great emotion.
The unforgettable event concluded with joyous singing and spirited dancing in honor of the Torah, as thousands of avreichim celebrated a monumental night for the Torah world and the Bukharian community.
