Hundreds of Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbanim, and Kiruv activists participated in the conference in Yerushalyim last week focusing on kiruv rechokim and kiruv kerovim. Aside from HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Slabodka’s inspiring keynote session, the conference was addressed by HaRav Shalom Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef and Nasi of Shas’s Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah as well as the Nasi of Dirshu and founder of Acheinu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita.
Rav Hirsch quoted Rav Yitzchok Hutner, who once said that whenever he spoke with Rav Aharon Kotler, he would steer the conversation so that Rav Aharon would say the word “Torah” “His eyes would light up! It was clear he was talking about the greatest treasure! I would feel my love of Torah increase and my chashivus for Torah transformed. Rav Aharon’s own chashivus for Torah transmitted the Torah’s sweetness.”
Thirty concurrent roundtable discussions on issues mechanchim and mekarvim face today, consisting of rabbinic authorities and kiruv professionals. Roundtables dealt with bochurim who have been orphaned of a parent, or transition from a baal teshuvah yeshiva to a mainstream yeshiva , or yeshiva ketana to yeshiva gedolah. Among the mechanchim and rabbinic leaders were HaGeonim Rav Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkofsky, shlita, of Yeshiva Orchos Torah, talmid muvhak of Rav Aharon Leib Shteiman, shlita, Rav Binyamin Finkel, shlita, Mashgiach in Mir Yerushalayim, Rav Yisroel Gans, senior R’M at Yeshiva Kol Torah and posek of the Mattersdorf neighborhood of Yerushalayim and many others.
Before the conference, Rav Dovid Hofstedter and senior Acheinu members visited gedolei hador who offered enthusiasm and advice. A conference highlight was the keynote session with Rav Shalom Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef, newly appointed successor to HaGaon HaRav Ovadiah Yosef, zt”l, as Shas’s Nasi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. Rav Cohen, who expressed his admiration for Acheinu’s activities in the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities, and spoke about the imperative of a Rebbe and mentor creating a bond with each talmid. “A talmid who feels his Rebbi or mentor loves him like a father will accept guidance. That is how Torah and yiras shamayim is transmitted.”
“The Gemara says the world exists in the merit of the Torah of children. We must ensure that the world continues to exist because of our children’s Torah. The only way they will learn properly is if they feel their Rebbe truly cares about them. Everyone who teaches Torah must do so in a way that his talmidim can learn from example, thereby sustaining the world.”
By Chaim Gold
