Rav Dovid Yosef, the son of Chacham Ovadia Yosef Shlita, has announced that Kollel Yechave Daas, which he heads, is in danger of closing. According to a Chadrei Chadarim report, he entered the Kollel on Sunday morning, banged his hand on the Bima, and made an announcement to the Yungerleit, there that there was no money to pay them for the next month.
In addition, Rav Dovid told the Yungerleit that the donations of the month of Cheshvon are usually enough to cover expenses until Nissan. However, this year the donations have barely covered the current month, and it is not clear where the money will come from for the next month. “Only through a miracle will the Kollel continue to remain open,” he said. “Our main donors have suffered big financial losses, and are giving much smaller donations.”
The Kollel is considered to be one of the biggest and best in the Sefardi world, and donors are usually careful to make sure all expenses are covered. Rav Dovid Yosef has never mentioned any financial difficulty in the past, and this statement came as a shock to many.
However, one of the men in the Kollel said, “While at first the Avrechim were very disturbed, they calmed down afterwards, feeling Bitachon in Hashem. There is also the sense that Rav Dovid Yosef was directing his remarks to the ears of the donors more than to ours. It is important that the donors hear that the Kollel is closing, even though he stated that this is an internal matter – and he has no interest in the news spreading.
“It could also be that he wants some of the Avrechim to find themselves a new place to learn, which will make it easier for him to meet the payroll. Either way, he took a burden off himself – If the Kollel does indeed close, at least he told everyone in advance.”
(Dov Gordon – YWN)
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16 Responses
If they close, they won’t be alone. Perhaps this will start a revolution in Israel – and hopefully also among Ashkenazim.
I see no reason why we can’t have a similar system to chutz l’aretz, whereby Yungeleit learn for a few years after their marriage, and are then ENCOURAGED to seek suitable employment.
I would say that no more than 15% of young men should be learning full time after 5 years of marriage. This way, the ones who are working (and of course learning p/t) will be in a position to support the kollels and other tzedakah institutions, which hopefully will not beneeded as much, because more people will be earning an honest living.
It saddens me to see so many “Avreichim” here that arrive at kollel late in the day and leave early – and that’s only if they haven’t got anything else doing that day.
“Only through a miracle will the Kollel continue to remain open”
And of course, it is Ossur to have Hano’o from Maaseh Nissim.
How many avreichim learn in the kolel?
The financial crisis is world wide, affecting everyone. The day schools, yeshivos and bais yaakovs in America which ALWAYS paid on a timely basis are behind schedule. Sleep away camps and seminaries in Israel will be next to feel the crunch.
I suspect that the reason we have heard about this kollel is that it is led by someone who is from a famous family. Given the economic situation, which affects everyone (goyim as well – their governments and non-profit charities are in big trouble), many institutions are in severe financial trouble.
about this kollel is that it is led by someone who is from a famous family.
Haven’t the rich, famous and yichusdik always been treated slightly different than us simple bklyn moms?
1) there are over 120 avrechim learning there
2) the place is from the most serious places in the world
3) instead of being critical realize that the world only exists for the learning of torah and supporting of torah
I should know i learnt in that kolel for a long time before coming back to america
shalom in Israel: Please don’t bring your personal issues with learning onto a message board. If you have issues with people inlearning then go speak to your Rebbe about them. Ye sometimes poeple have to leave early and or come late-just like a regular people. They shoudln’t be judged just because they happen to be learning. And instead of just looking at their flaws, try to imagine what they are sacrificing by being in Kollel: real job security and getting paid almost nothing. These are the real heroes.
Sephardicpride – you may be right for some of them, but let me tell you – there are many men in their late 30’s +, who would love to be able to get a REAL job and feel like they are providing for their families, but they can’t because a) the tzibbur looks down on working men; b) they have no training; c) they have no money to get training. So, instead, they go to learn with half a heart, instead of running to night seder after a day’s work.
“real job security” – NOT IN TODAY’S MARKET
hey looneybin how long did you learn there?
#5, akuperma. What do you mean, “goyim as well – their governments anad non-profit charities are in big trouble.” Would you mind naming the very few goverments or even less charities where Jews are not invovled in fundamental ways? Are you being hateful or ignorant of the facts?
#10, while not job security, Bush and Cheney made out “like” bandits. I would like to know their $ worth today as public servants in the White House versus up to eight years ago.
kosherman- i learnt there for 7 years before settling down in this country to teach in a yeshiva – i am very proud to give over to my talmidim all that i have learnt during the 7 best years of my life – may the Ebeshter keep that holy institution running for ever
looneybin/i learnt in a real yeshiva next door for a while that place was intense
#12 – the financial crisis is not limited to Jews, which may be a surprise to some very insular people in Boro Park. All sorts of “good works” are going broke. These sorts of reports will become very common.
Many are programs that Jews benefit from, such as subsdized public transit fares (YWN reports New York is raising them to make up for the loss in subsidies), medical care (unless you pay full fare with no insurance only at for-profit hospitals), all colleges including distance education programs (their tuition covers only a small part of the cost), , etc. It isn’t just our own mosodos that are in trouble.