Every once in a while, you hear an insight or thought that sticks; it causes change – real, lasting change. When reflecting on the insight at a later point, you can truly say, “Wow, that was profound.”

Make this Tisha B’Av a day for such lasting change. This year, join the tens of thousands who will be at the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation’s Tisha B’av Event, listening to carefully prepared words from world-renowned speakers and leaders of our generation who will disseminate a message on what each of us can do to improve ourselves and help fix the problem which originally caused the Churban.

By improving on our bein adam lachaveiro, we will be actively rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash, while simultaneously building ourselves as a people. Working on our bein adam lachaveiro will affect not only ourselves, but also our children, spouses, communities. At the same time, it will be hastening the Geulah and the arrival of Mashiach.

Come listen to the inspiring words of Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky shlit”a and Rav Elimelech Beiderman shlit”a, along with the words of many world-renowned speakers. Let this Tisha B’Av be the day that will cause lasting change, ultimately transforming our world m’yagon l’simchah, bimheira b’yameinu amen.

Click here to find a location near you.

Project Inspire: The Man at the Wall

You know that charismatic guy, the one who captures everyone’s attention as soon as he enters the room?  The fellow with the dynamic personality?

Well, that wasn’t Rabbi Meir Schuster.

Reb Meir wasn’t someone you’d call the life of the party.  He was an ordinary Jew, like countless others who walk the streets of Yerushalayim every day.  And he wasn’t exceptionally gifted with clever oratory talent. But he had a heart that encompassed the whole Jewish world and he single handedly created an outreach revolution.  In his own simple and sincere manner, he touched the lives of thousands of people, one shoulder tap at a time. And therein lies his greatness.

The story of Reb Meir Schuster is being celebrated in an original new Tisha B’av film by Project Inspire called “The Man at the Wall.”  The film, which can be viewed on Tisha B’av at projectinspire.com, is hosted by Rabbi Yoel Gold.  The story explores the life of this unassuming gentle giant and his incredible achievements. It’s a compelling and riveting film that you won’t want to miss.

Rabbi Schuster was a true hero.  He overcame his own natural shyness and reticence in order to become a kiruv powerhouse.  His story is relevant to all of us who need to push ourselves to pursue a mitzvah, even if it means coming out of our own personal comfort zone.

Meir Schuster moved to Eretz Yisroel in 1968, months after the Six Day War.  One day he and his friend Chaim met a young American student at the Kosel. The youth was visibly touched by the holiness of the place.  They asked him if he would like to learn about his Jewish heritage and he seemed interested. Thus did he become the first of thousands who would eventually be touched by the famous Schuster ‘tap on the shoulder’.

For close to forty years, Reb Meir was an iconic presence at the Kosel, scouting the crowds, tapping the shoulders, inviting the Shabbos guests. He would walk up to someone and ask:  “Are you Jewish?” “Have you ever experienced a Shabbos meal?” “Would you like to meet a wise man?” “Do you want to visit a Yeshiva?” and so on. No bells and whistles. No thundering rhetoric.  But people recognized his genuine sincerity and his selfless determination. And he changed thousands upon thousands of lives.

According to Rabbi Yossie Friedman, Managing Director of Project Inspire, “We are working on this amazing historic film in order to drive home the message of Ahavas Yisroel.  Each of us has within us the ability to make that huge difference if we only cared enough to love every Jew.”

The story of Rabbi Schuster is uniquely appropriate on Tisha B’av.  Here is a man who spent countless hours at the Kosel Plaza approaching the crowds, one individual at a time. His goal?  To break down the walls that divide us, to create a vibrant and powerful ba’al teshuva movement, and ultimately, to rebuild the Beis Hamikdosh in all its glory.
He serves as a sterling role model for all of us.

Project Inspire is a movement dedicated to awakening and empowering the Torah community to reach out to their fellow Jews.  Project Inspire believes that our vibrant and flourishing kehilla can serve as the best advocates for our own lifestyle. For more information about the Tisha B’av film contact Project Inspire at 646-291-6191.

Rosja recounts an important chapter of the Holocaust that is largely unknown and mostly forgotten. Rosja focuses on the Jews who “survived by deportation.” It homes in on the rarely discussed life experiences of hundreds of thousands of Jews who fled or who were transported deep into the frigid eastern portions of the Soviet Union.

Even though those who were transported to Siberia during those years did not directly face the evil genocide of the Nazis, they still experienced the bitter dregs of a life of distant exile from all that was meaningful. These spiritual individuals nevertheless maintained their deep commitment to Torah, mussar, and middos. The stories that emerge from the icy reaches of Siberia warm the heart and teach us that adversity can be conquered if one has the resolution and conscience to do so.

For over thirty-five years, the Flatbush, Kensington, Boro Park and neighboring communities have come together to mourn the churban Beis Hamikdash in a uniquely dignified way in what is known as the “Tisha B’Av Program.”  Participants in this gathering include a diverse group of individuals from a wide spectrum of the community.

This year, the program will begin on the eve of Tisha B’Av, Motzei Shabbos, at 9:30 p.m., with Ma’ariv, followed by Eicha, Kinnos and divrei chizzuk. The program will resume in the morning with Shacharis at 8:00 a.m., followed by the recitation of selected kinnos accompanied by commentary and elucidation.  After chatzos, the program will continue with eight presentations by distinguished Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivos that will reflect upon the major themes of the day. The program will also include Mincha and Ma’ariv. Please see the schedule below for more details about the program.

The Tisha B’Av Program will be held at the Ocean Parkway Jewish Center, 550 Ocean Parkway, between 18th Avenue and Ditmas Avenue.  We urge all those who can join us in person to do so to experience the program to its fullest extent. For those who are unable to attend in person, the program may be viewed online, LIVE, here at Yeshiva World.  Please join us either way! In the past, many have said that they have derived inspiration and strength from the program that remains with them throughout the year and beyond.

The Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av program of Torah Connections are made possible by your generous sponsorships and donations. These programs are offered as a community service on a not-for-profit basis and involve significant expenses.  All donations are used entirely to run the programs. Please consider becoming a partner in this endeavor by sponsoring a presentation or making a donation. In that connection, we gratefully acknowledge Simcha Ezra and Ronit Valberg, and Kevin and Hindy Chorney for taking the lead with their generous sponsorships—Hashem yeshaleim secharam.  To make a donation, please visit TorahPrograms.com.  For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please call (718) 998-5822 or send an e-mail to: [email protected].

Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning but also a day for reflection and growth. Brooklyn Jewish Xperience (BJX) Torah Center has offered inspiration, guidance and intellectual stimulation to thousands of people and they invite you to join them on Tisha B’Av for an unparalleled experience.

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