Yated Ne'Eman, 19 Sivan, 5759 (June 3, 1999)

ROSH YESHIVAS MIR VISITS RUSSIAN KEHILLA

By Solomon Klein

On Parshas Kedoshim, the Mirrer Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, Shlita, gave a shmuez to Kehilas Moreshes Yaakov, "KMY" is probably the only one of its kind, a kiruv community of frum Russians.

The Rosh Yeshiva with his entourage walked one and a half miles to visit KMY. When the Rosh Yeshiva arrived, there was a crowd waiting outside. The crowd escorted the Rosh Yeshiva into the Shul where a packed gathering started singing "Yomim Al Yemei Melech...". for the over 150 Russians in attendance, this was a first glimpse of such a great personage. The air was bursting with excitement as Rav Avraham Binsky, the Rav of KMY, introduced the Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Binsky explained in Russian, how the Rosh Yeshiva represents the generation of the Chofetz Chaim and the Chazan Ish, urging the Kehila to cherish every moment with the Rosh Yeshiva. The Rosh Yeshiva spoke in a mixed Yidish, English and Russian. Rav Chaim Horowitz, a very active board member of KMY, acted as interpreter.

The Rosh Yeshiva asked how can the Torah command us to be holy, "because Hashem is holy." What connection do we have to the holiness of Hashem? The Rosh Yeshiva answered I see from this holy Kehila how we can become holy. I see that wee all stood at Har Sinai and were implanted with holiness. If after 70 years to Communism you can all stand here completely dedicated to Torah Mitzvos, it must be because we were all at Har Sinai. For 25 minutes as the Rush Yeshiva spoke, no one stirred, no one spoke. The Rosh Yeshiva concluded by praising the Rav as a "special man," a person that the Kehila should follow and listen to.

The connection between Yeshivas Mir and KMY actually started a year ago. At that time, Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Hershel Zolty, and Rav Binsky established a Russian Kollel in the Mirrer Yeshiva. The goal of this Kollel is to develop gedolim to lead the Russians. The youngerleit hear shiurim from the Mirrer Roshei Yeshiva and from Rav Binsky. These Russian Bnei Torah learn with other Russians at the Kehila and their homes are always open to guests. According to Rav Binsky, "About 50,000 Russians live on Ocean Avenue alone. One Russian Rav is not enough. Besides, there are close to one million Russians all across America B"AH. Through the Mirrer Russian Kollel, and our kiruv community, we well be able to reach out to other Russians."

Rav Eliezer Ginsburg, Rosh Kollel Yeshivas Mir, will be speaking about KMY and the Russian Kollel next week at the fourth annual KMY Parlor Meeting. It will take place on Wednesday evening at the home of Dr. Heshy Blobstein, another active KMY board member. This meeting will give Flatbush residents a chance to see first hand the great things that are taking place in their community.