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SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
PHOTO CREDIT ERAN ABRAMOVICH
Inaugural Siyum Marks First Anniversary of Torat Refoel Community Kollel of Yeshivas Ner Shlomo in Cedarhurst
Rabbi Halpern and Rabbi Silberberg talking in learning
T
he recent inaugural siyum of Torat Refoel Kollel of Yeshiva Ner Shlomo, held at the kollel, was both an affirmation and celebration of a new makom Torah in the heart of the Five Towns. Since its incep-
tion close to a year ago, it has already become synonymous with offering learning opportunities that combine rigorous Torah scholarship with personal attention and warmth. Partnering with Rav Daniel Obadia, Rav
of Ha’Chaim V’Hashalom, where the kollel meets, founder and Menahel Rav Avrohom Halpern and Rosh Kollel Rav Sholom Silberberg expressed heartfelt divrei chizuk to kollel members and their wives, all of whom felt
Executive Director Rabbi Shalom Markman learning at the Kollel
privileged to participate in such a chashuve evening of spiritual accomplishment. In the beautifully decorated simcha hall, kollel member Rabbi Avi Goldman led the hadran for the siyum, and was followed by Rabbi Dovi Goldstein, who spoke about how the kollel has made an impact on all the kollel members. The effort put into the siyum made a huge impression as it was palpable how much the kollel values the yungeleit. Special mention was made of the kollel members’ wives, who completely support their husband’s commitment to full time limud haTorah. The kollel embraces their support and recognizes that if a wife doesn’t appreciate her husband’s learning, there can be no future learning and the home itself will be affected. A short video followed where each kollel member had an opportunity to express personal feelings about the kollel. Everyone was in-
spired to see how, in such a short time, the kollel has made such an impact on these young men. The evening was concluded by a special message from Mr. Michael Edri, a staunch supporter of the kollel, where he shared with the crowd the great years he had when he was in kollel and expressed how it was the best investment he ever made. The Executive Director, Rabbi Shalom Markman, expressed his excitement about the siyum as a milestone for the kollel, reflecting the many opportunities for learning that the kollel now brings to the community. “As a kollel member myself, I am thrilled to be learning with and alongside the Rosh Kollel, a talmud chacham of astounding proportions. There is achdus among the kollel members, which inspires each of us to shteig harder and deeper. It all creates a one of a kind learning experience that I am very proud to be part of, both as a kollel member and as Executive Director.” Rav Obadia explained that “this evening is a fulfillment of a dream I’ve had for many years. I was waiting for the opportunity to bring Torah and Yiddishkeit to the middle of Cedarhurst. When I approached my good friend, Rav Avrohom Halpern, last Elul to open up a makom Torah in the middle of Cedarhurst, he immediately agreed and approached Rav Sholom Silberberg for the position of Rosh Kollel. Amazingly, he succeeded in opening up the kollel right after Succos.” Rav Halpern marvels how a talmud chacham of Rav Silberberg’s caliber can create a special relationship between himself and each of the yungeleit who come to partake of the Rosh Kollel’s wisdom and learning expertise on a daily basis. He points out, “I am inspired by how