KGH BBQ And Siyum Held In Support Of Chazaq's Morning Kollel

• Prev
• 1 of 6
• Next

Lenses fogging from the smoke, 2-inch thick steaks sizzling on grill, open bar with so many mixers of choice. Tasty for every palate; food enough to feed an army; what a joyous celebration of Torah was held on behalf of Chazaq's Morning Kollel at the Sdayeb residence in Kew Gardens Hills!

On Monday evening, August 5, Kollel Zichron Moshe v' Leah of Queens, a project of Chazaq, invited the greater Queens Community to a siyum-grand barbeque. The program was about sharing the amazing spirit of togetherness of the avreichim with the local ba'alei batim, and marking the end of another calendar year of successful learning. Appreciating the past and hoping for an even brighter and more successful future, b'ezrat Hashem yitborach.

Four years ago, Rabbi Michael Mansour together with Moshe Sdayeb had a vision of building a Torah center on Main Street. With the encouragement of Rabbi Ilan Meirov, Director, and Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, CEO, of Chazaq, a year later it became a true shining reality.

Each morning at 9:30 a.m. in the central Main St. area of Kew Gardens Hills, New York, lies the Od Yosef Chai shul, humble on the outside, but a bustling of activity within. Ten avreichim, talmidei chachomim, from various neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn pull in, eager to share their latest Torah thoughts, to learn a Mishnah, or Gemara with local members of the community. Some one-on-one, while others gather forming a shiur style of learning. The kollel thrives in offering opportunities for each individual to spiritually grow by impacting themselves, having their family behind them, while impacting the Queens Torah community at large.

The feeling of carrying the Torah learning in hand, is nothing but a recipe for a better, more accomplished start of day, and continuing that momentum into the workplace. Aside from the natural good feeling of accomplishment it leaves, the infusion of bitachon, knowing and believing that all is from Above. Each penny earned to every bit of stress, all has a purpose. Thanking Hashem for the past of yesterday, hoping and praying for an even better today and tomorrow. This feeling is no secret, it can be testified by all who attend.

Following on afterwards, the avreichim team up together, one-on-one, each to his own chavrusah and delve deep into their learning making for a beautiful blend of Gemara and halachah. The vibrant sound of Torah can be heard by anyone who wishes to take a peek. Come one, come all and take a look!

But it does not end there. Baruch Hashem, 141-56 73rd Avenue, has become a Torah center in the city offering boys with days off from yeshivah (and for those sometimes not having a proper yeshivah to attend). Kollel Zichron Moshe v' Leah of Queens has become their home! From having a morning breakfast, a warm chat with an avreich and spending time learning together, gives these boys a tremendous positive feeling. A day off from work, becomes a day of fulfillment coming here to the kollel anytime to spend time with an avreich. Anybody looking for a chavrusah, or just a place to learn, is always welcome to join the chevrah.

Enjoy the background vibrant sounds of tussling in learning and the overall warm and welcoming environment. It is the healthiest way of safeguarding us from today's scary world filled with threats of all kinds and our way of sending out waves of "shmirah," protection for ourselves and the community at large.

Praised is he that toils in Torah; praised is he that supports the Torah. The welcoming feeling and support we get each and every day from the kollel participants leaves the avreichim with a big sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. The kollel prays and hopes to continue with more community members joining, and experiencing the great joy of connecting to something very special here in Queens - a connection to the Torah. For now in Queens, but hopefully next z'man in Yerushalayim ir hakodesh with Moshiach, our hope, amen.

 Photos By Natan Behar