The Ohr Yisraeli organization, which was established a decade ago, provides a warm loving atmosphere for thousands of children who are cut off from a Torah life. Many of these youths are in different stages of accepting mitzvos upon themselves as they are becoming closer to a life of mitzvah adherence. The youths meet three times weekly in one of 160 nationwide branches as the rabbonim slowly and patiently bring them closer to HKBH.

Over the years the participants began learning Gemara, page by page. After years of effort, 500 youths completed a mesechta, and for many the first and only mesechta they completed in their lives. For weeks before Shavuos Ohr Yisraeli rabbonim worked to prepare the talmidim for the big day. Buses transported the youths from around the country to the Bnei Brak hall to participate in the siyum, which began with the recitation of tefillas maariv. Leading the tefilla was the president of the organization, Migdal HaEmek Chief Rabbi HaGaon Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman Shlita, leading the thousands of participants in recitation of counting sefiras haomer.

After Rav Grossman spoke, HaRav HaGaon Rav Avraham Greenbaum, the CEO of the organization, addressed the talmidim and their guests. He explained our Chachamim stated “this day is called ‘יומא טבא לרבנן’, and one who completes a mesechta is not just a youth but he becomes ‘Rabanan’”.

Many rabbonim were present to participate in the emotional event along with public officials that included MK Moshe Gafne, MK Uri Maklev and Yaakov Asher. Also present was Eliezer Sorotzkin and Prof. Yaakov Ne’eman.

The youths simultaneously shouted Shema Yisrael with the rabbonim and other rabbonim spoke, showering the youths with praise.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)