(Courtesy of Cong Bet Yosef) After a one-year hiatus due to COVID, Congregation Bet Yosef of Fort Lee welcomed back its yearly summer kollel of 10 Yeshiva University students, hailing mainly from the semicha program. The kollel has thrived under the leadership of Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank of YU and the warm hospitality of Rabbi Ilan Acoca and the shul’s congregants.

The kollel was founded four years ago by Rabbi Adam Abergel. Every day, for six weeks the kollel fellows enjoy studying Torah together in a lively and warm environment. They particularly appreciate learning the Moroccan traditions practiced in Congregation Bet Yosef.

The kollel brings a daily kol Torah to the shul’s social hall and a lively and enlightening weekly extravaganza of learning and sushi with the ba’alei batim. The kollel members have been learning the third perek of tractate Berachot, and have been consistently inspired by the congregants’ joy of learning and supporting Torah.

“Seeing the kollel members at minyan every day, interacting with them and talking Torah has been a highlight for me and the members of my kehillah,” said Rabbi Acoca.

“We are so grateful to the community for this wonderful opportunity to learn without any distractions and for welcoming us so warmly into their community,” said Rabbi Wiederblank. “We look forward to continuing this wonderful program for years to come.”