By COLlive reporter
Photos: Dov Ber Hechtman
Monday evening, Crown Heights community members and parents from the tri-state area, gathered for a Gala Dinner benefitting Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Queens. The crowd was welcomed with a heartwarming performance by Chony Tzuker and singers.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Yusewitz opened by thanking Hashem for all the brachos he experienced over the years leading up to date, with the Yeshiva now having the chance to finally buy a building.
“Our gathering tonight reminds me of the Tahara revolution of Frankfurt, Germany. It began from a small group of 3 women,” Rabbi Yusewitz said. “From this evening the future will be shaped, we will make history,” he said.
A Sicha of the Rebbe was then played, where the Rebbe spoke about the revolutionary idea behind Tomchei Tmimim.
Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rishon Le’zion and Chief Sefaradi Rabbi of Yerushalayim, joined the dinner via video, inspiring the attendees with his remarks about the importance of supporting the Yeshiva.
He was followed by the Rosh Yeshiva and Menahel of the Queens Yeshiva Rabbi Mendel Scharf, who warmly thanked the staff and their families for their devotion and incredible dedication to the yeshiva and its students. He then shared personal stories, spanning from the time of the Yeshiva’s inception over a decade ago, exemplifying what makes this Yeshiva so special and unique.
Then the Ohr Menachem Choir took the stage. The crowd was elated by their angelic voices, they sang Niggunim which Chassidim composed in honor of the Rebbe’s Kapital every year for 11 Nissan. All were moved by their sweet voices.
The M.C. then introduced Rabbi Levi Raices, the Rebbe’s Shliach to Kharkov, Ukraine, who just arrived in Crown Heights after a long and dangerous 5-day evacuation. He shared the harrowing journey he and his family underwent while escaping the current war zone and the miracles that led them to Crown Heights. “The thought that my sons are in the warm haven and confines of YTTL gave me strength and courage,” Rabbi Raices said.
After sharing his gratitude towards the Yeshiva, he joked: “I was planning on bringing some bricks along from Kharkov… there were many of them lying around..” He then turned to pledge his own “brick” of $5,000 towards the campaign!
On behalf of the Badatz, Rabbi Y.Y. Braun powerfully addressed the crowd and shared how proud he is to be a parent of a student in the Yeshiva in Queens. He described the unbelievable individual attention and love that all of the staff have for each Talmid. He too pledged a “brick” of $5,000 towards the campaign!
Then, the beautiful video was aired. Yeshiva students articulated how Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Queens changed their life -providing them a physical and spiritual home. They feel cared for and loved. It is in this environment that they are educated and guided in the ways of the Rebbe.
The video was followed by the director of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Mendel Hendel, who emphasized the “why” behind the Build The Future Campaign, explaining that if the Yeshiva is unable to purchase the building, it will be in danger of getting shut down. When the Yeshiva was under the threat of eviction, he disclosed that they received a letter of the Rebbe, where the Rebbe explicitly says, “Just as Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim overcame obstacles in the past, it will surely do so now!”
Rabbi Zalmen Goldstein then spoke, explaining the “fundraising through buying bricks” campaign into simple steps, showing how this goal of $10 million is truly attainable when we all work together.
As the evening drew to a close, Rabbi Asher Vaknin, Shliach of the Rebbe in Queens and a proud parent of the Yeshiva, spoke about the tremendous Zechus and Brochos one is showered with when donating to this Yeshiva. He also committed to undertake the renovations of the building.
Boruch Hashem, over 200 campaign teams were created throughout the evening, amounting to pledges of many “bricks”, which will Be’ezras Hashem be fulfilled throughout the course of the campaign.
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch Queens will be holding their “Build The Future” campaign for the next two weeks. Partner with them in providing a spiritual and physical home for their students, purchase a brick or make a general donation at https://www.charidy.com/ttlq.
Was a beautiful event!!
And I too pledged a brick.
It is only 100 a month for 4 years.
Like maaser taken automatically from your CC every month for the next 4 years.
Or just give any amount toward a team.
Hatzlocha!!!
Such an amazing Yeshiva!
Our son is KA”H thriving there. He did not grow up in New York and had some catching up to do. The teachers worked with him and now he’s doing very well, B”H.
He is SO very much motivated and really “into” learning and mivtzoim.
Please support as much as you can–the Yeshiva needs it but they deserve it!