Ask almost any Jew about CHAZAQ “with a Q” in Queens and they have almost certainly heard about, and not to mention benefited in some capacity from the organization. The amount of outreach that CHAZAQ partakes in is truly extraordinary. From organizing after school programs for Jewish children, and helping Jewish public school students transfer to Yeshiva, to organizing lectures daily for the masses, and distributing food and clothing at drives to help alleviate the burden on families, CHAZAQ is really doing its utmost to cover “everything from A-to-Z”. However, the crown jewel of CHAZAQ’s work is arguably CHAZAQ ‘s Beth Midrash Nosson Meir.
Four years ago, CHAZAQ founded Beth Midrash Nosson Meir under the leadership and guidance of the late Rav Aharon Walkin Zt”l, whose one year Yartzeit is coming up very soon. His vision was to build up Bnei Torah, not only for the Queens Community, but for the whole world. Rav Walkin was very dedicated to Beth Midrash Nosson Meir, commuting there daily from his residence in Lakewood, NJ where he presided as the Rav of Khal Bais Aharon. It was his personal mission to increase the quality and quantity of Torah learning in the Queens Sephardic Community, where the Rav had himself grown up as a child. Sleet or snow, rain or shine, nothing could stop the Rav from making his near two-hour commute each way every single day. The Rav was always there early to daven Shacharit; oftentimes calling the Baal Habatim who were still sleeping at home, awakening them to come daven with the minyan and to stay afterwards and join for the shiurim. A typical morning shiur would bring together people from all backdrops of work ranging from doctors, lawyers, barbers, and diamond dealers. Yet Rav Walkin connected with each one emotionally and intellectually. Additionally, Rav Walkin presided over the Avreichim and Talmidim learning daily in the kollel where Baruch Hashem a number of our local Rabbanim in the community received their semicha.
Rav Walkin was a truly humble person, and it rubbed off on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was named after his great grandfather, Rav Aharon Walkin; the Pinsker Rav who was known for the way he did Hachnasat Orchim, giving people the lasting impression that the Rav truly cared for their entire well-being. Regarding his great-grandfather, Rav Walkin was often quoted saying; “I carry his name humbly, as I don’t feel like I do him justice”. Yet, all of his Talmidim would attest that the Rav went beyond what anyone could have expected in caring for his Talmidim and the future of the Yeshiva.
Currently, Beth Midrash Nosson Meir is continuing the legacy of Rav Walkin Zt’l under the new leadership of Rav Michael Mansour who has graciously come over to lead the Yeshiva and disseminate shiurim to the baalei batim that come to learn daily.
Rav Michael Mansour learned in Yeshiva Ponovezh, in Erez Yisrael, where he formed a close relationship with Rav Shach Zt’l, and in Brooklyn and BMG for many years. The Beth Midrash is very fortunate to have him serve as the Rosh Hayeshiva today, where he has continued the legacy of Rav Walkin Zt’l. Rav Mansour gives a five minute Dvar Halacha after Shacharit, followed by a bekiyut shiur on Amud yomi, a class on Chovot Halavavot, and another seder of gemara B’iyun each day.
Additionally, the Yeshiva’s activities have been recently expanded to include a new morning kollel for baalei batim given over by Rav Leor Dahan. Rav Leor Dahan is a Musmach of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, and author of two and a soon to be released third volume of the Sefer Amudei Horaah on the Mishna Berurah. Rav Dahan teaches different Halachic topics, with an emphasis on their practical applications for one following Sephardic traditions living today. He explains the relevant Gemara with the corresponding commentaries ranging from the Tur, Beit Yosef, Kaf Hachayim, and Ben Ish Hai just to name a few. His teaching style, which was adopted from his many years learning in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim B’iyyun are unparalleled in their sheer depth, and clarity giving his talmidim a true taste of what those learning in Yeshiva experience every day.
It was Rav Walkin’s vision for the Yeshiva and Kollel to flourish and grow to great heights. However, unfortunately due in part to Covid-19 there has been a lack of proper funding, and as a result the Kollel has been relocated to Beth Gavriel. With your help, we would like to restart the Kollel with Avreichim to reenergize Queens and make his vision a reality.
We are currently taking part in the 100k Cash sweepstakes, and the proceeds from each ticket purchased will go towards directly funding the Beth Midrash and furthering the Shiurim that are taking place there.
Please help us in fulfilling Rav Aharon Walkin’s vision and contribute generously. All donations are tax-deductible. With each ticket, you will be entered into the raffle to win amazing prizes while helping support a great cause. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to donate to the Beth Midrash, please go to https://100ksweepstakes.com/chazaq/, or call us at 718-285-9132.
By Rachman Soleymani
CHAZAQ Beth Midrash Nosson Meir: The Legacy Of Rav Aharon Walkin Zt’l
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