Yated Ne'eman Yated Ne'Eman, 27 Teves, 5756 (January 19, 1996)

SUCCESS IN KIRUV OF RUSSIAN JEWS

By M. Levin

With hundreds of thousands of Russian Jews now crowding Brooklyn neighborhoods, their silent cry for spiritual help grows ever louder. Clearly recognizable by their speech, mannerisms and appearance, they have not been successfully assimilated into the mainstream Jewish community. Some inroads have been made with their children. Especially established "Russian Yeshivas," together with certain mainstream Yeshivas, have attempted to educate a portion of the Russian Jewish youth.

The great issue, however, has not been solved. Russian Jewish families, consisting of grandparents, parents, teenagers and toddlers, roam the streets, seemingly oblivious to the Torah Jews surrounding them. The reason is simple – they cannot yet relate to American-born and raised Jews. A formal Kehillah consisting of Russian Jews, similar to the Kehillos established by earlier groups of immigrants to America, is sorely lacking.

There is now a glimmer of hope.

Rabbi Avrohom Binsky, a dynamic young Rav who was raised in Vilna and trained in Eretz Yisroel, is well acquainted with the needs and mindset of Russian Jewry. Rabbi Binsky, under the guidance of Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, has personally organized a Kehillah of Russian Jews in the heart of Flatbush. The Kehilla, known as Kehillos Moreshes Yaakov, located at 1632 East 21st Street, Brooklyn, New York, is now more than 250 in number.

Rabbi Binsky explained his approach:

"Russian Jews have been raised in a certain cultural environment – an environment with a stated goal of spiritual annihilation. Hashem Yisborach stopped this evil plan before it could come to full fruition."

He emphasized, however, that the social milieu encountered by Russian Jews upon their arrival in America creates new, and in a sense more insurmountable, obstacles:

"Newly found freedom form harassment and intimidation, accompanied by well stocked supermarkets, fine clothing and the sight of custom homes have caused erstwhile atheists to rethink their position. Money becomes the object of worship. It is not uncommon for intelligent, middle-aged Russian parents to both work seven days a week. Their dream? To buy a house in New Jersey, and to shop in large shopping malls during their recreation time.

"The Russian Jewish family is a close-knit one, and Russian Jews generally feel close to one another. They must be brought together as a large family unit – family by family – uniting to experience our Torah heritage."

The Kehillah setting, so successful for earlier Jewish immigrants will help to bring back our Russian brothers as well."

Rabbi Binsky gives general shiurim in his new beis medrash lectures in private homes to family groups, and arranges for private chavrusos for the more advanced. His warm and vivacious personality continues to spur the growth of his Kehillah, a Kehillah of Russian B’nei Torah.

On January 21, 1996, Kehillos Moreshes Yaakov will celebrate a joyous milestone – a Hachnosas Sefer Torah donated by David Elbaum, o’h.

The Hachnosah will be graced by the presence of Rav Avrohom Pam, in addition to other leading Rabbinic figures. Rav Pam will also address the gathering.