The Gerrer Rebbe arrived in the United States for a historic and urgent mission to rescue the Gerrer Olam HaTorah. The “Keren Hatzalas Olam HaTorah – Gur” campaign was launched with the Rebbe’s arrival, rallying the support of leading philanthropists across the U.S. to stand with Ger amid unprecedented financial hardship.
When the Rebbe’s plane touched down, in accordance with Gerrer tradition, there were no welcoming banners or public fanfare, only a devoted group of several hundred chassidim who came to greet their Rebbe.
The Rebbe began visiting the homes of major philanthropists, many of whom pledged no less than $1 million each. In each home, the Rebbe granted private audiences, offered heartfelt brachos, and spent extended time.
One notable stop was the home of a prominent donor affiliated with the Bobover community. Another visit was to the residence of Gerrer chassid and philanthropist Reb Binyomin Beitel, where a chanukas habayis was held.
The Rebbe attended a special Mincha and fundraising dinner at the home of Mr. Shloime Werdiger, chairman of the board of Agudath Israel of America.
The Rebbe’s son, Rav Nechemia Alter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Gur in Ashdod, addressed the gathering. He spoke with intensity about the painful circumstances confronting avreichim and the extraordinary self-sacrifice of the Rebbe in launching this emergency campaign. “The situation is intolerable,” he said. “The time has come for klal Yisroel to rise up and erase this stain—where a Jewish state persecutes those who dedicate their lives to Torah. It is the duty of every generous heart to help remove this kitrug and bolster lomdei Torah.”
Two final speakers delivered fiery, impassioned words from deep within the trenches: Rav Moshe Chaim Denderovitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Sfas Emes, and Rav Hershel Rothenberg. They painted vivid portraits of the anguish and perseverance of today’s avreichim. “These men,” one said, “ask for nothing more than a can of formula for their infants.”
Rav Rothenberg went on to say, “I know avreichim who have memorized thousands of blat of Gemara, who sit and learn without pause. But now they are saying they can’t go on. They’re thinking of walking away.”
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