Rav Tzion Cohen Visits Queens

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A visit to the construction site of the forthcoming Beth Gavriel shul was included on the rav's tour.

The Chief Rabbi of Or Yehuda and President of Machon Dorot, Rav Tzion Cohen recently visited the United States where he visited Jewish communities, met with rabbis and public figures, gave shiurim, and delivered chizuk to dozens of institutions. His historic journey included a visit to the Beth Gavriel community in Queens where hundreds of Queens’ residents were waiting excitedly to welcome the rav.

The rabbi of the community, Rav Emanuel Shimonov, gave Rav Tzion Cohen a tour of the institutions, kollelim, and the new stunning Beth Gavriel synagogue that is currently under construction, and they even went to listen in on a special shiur given by HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yisraeli. At the end of the shiur Rav Cohen was given the opportunity to speak where he discussed the importance of talmidei chachamim and Torah teachers.

Rav Cohen’s keynote address took place during a meeting with the president of the community, Mr. Ilya Koptiev. Afterwards, Rav Cohen traveled to a noteworthy visit to the beth din, headed by Rav Eliyahu Ben Chaim, shlit”a.

The memorable trip concluded with Rav Cohen’s arrival at a simchah in Flatbush. There Rav Shimonov invited the rav to speak about Machon Dorot which he founded to help childless couples. Rav Cohen revealed a little of his life story and what led to him to establish the unique institution a few years ago. Rav Cohen, who himself suffered for 11 years of not having additional children after his eldest son’s birth, related how he closes a circle every day with the Machon helping thousands of couples. “Without a doubt everything is rooted in Maran Harav Ovadia’s brachah, in whose merit we were blessed with triplets.”

Rav Cohen expressed, “I was warmly welcomed with a smile by the rabbi of the community, Rav Shimonov shlit”a.” It is truly heartwarming to see such a tightly-knit community which is run so well, headed by Rav Shimonov – a community which is growing and blossoming with Jewish life. I was excited to see how the community harnessed itself within just a few hours to reach a great goal, and with siyata diShmaya, as we prayed, the community exceeded the target, of course thanks to the two honorable families, the Alishaevs and Koptievs.”