Kollel leaders plan group visit to Five Towns

Staff report

Issue of Nov. 14, 2008 / 17 Cheshvan 5769

If you’ve made sizable donations in the past to kollels in Israel, you can rest a little easier –– someone you probably have never met is praying for your financial well-being. And early next week, he might be coming to visit.

Since the economy cratered, a number of fundraisers for kollels in Israel have returned nearly empty-handed from trips to the U.S., unnerving those responsible for helping to feed and house over 6,000 kollel families.

Thursday, Nov. 13 was designated “a day of prayer and learning” in all kollels, according to a news release put out by GVI Media, an advertising and public relations firm in Israel that did the work for no fee.

It represents a “united effort to storm the gates of Heaven and plead for the financial health of Jewish philanthropists, so that they can continue to support Torah institutions in Israel,” read the release that was published online at www.theyeshivaworld.com.

An emergency fund has been established for disbursement to a group of 10 kollels. Organizers hope to raise $14 million. A group of rabbonim is expected to travel to New York this Motza’ei Shabbat to meet with local residents and philanthropists.