The Baltimore community was very inspired this week by the whirlwind visit of Rabbi Uri Zohar, who visited Baltimore on behalf of the famous Israeli outreach organization: Peylim / Lev L’Achim.

Thirty five years ago, Uri Zohar was the icon of the Israeli entertainment industry. At the age of forty, at the height of his success, he attended a party where he met a talmid chacham for the first time in his life. The realization, that the world of religious belief includes highly intelligent people of such noble bearing, moved Uri to re-examine his entire existence. He soon became convinced of the truth of Torah and walked off the stage, gave up a life of fame and fortune, and adopted a Torah true lifestyle. For fifteen years he toiled in Torah and became a tremendous talmid chacham. Today, at the behest of the Gedolei Yisroel, Rabbi Zohar works tirelessly as a volunteer on behalf of Lev L’Achim.

Through his call-in radio shows, the Lev L’Achim telemarketing program, appearances at rallies and a constant stream of lectures, Rabbi Zohar has influenced hundreds of thousands to follow his courageous example and embrace Yiddishkeit. His greatest achievement, as one of the leaders of Project Rishum: The Campaign to Enroll Children in Torah Schools throughout Eretz Yisroel, has been the registration of tens of thousands of children – from secular homes! – in to Torah schools especially geared to them. Thus, the percentage of Israeli schoolchildren in Torah schools has risen from a mere 6%  prior to Project Rishum, to 26% where it stands today.

On Tuesday, January 5, Rabbi Zohar visited several of Baltimore institutions and inspired the talmidim and talmidos there. He began his day at Bais Yaakov, where he spoke to over eight hundred high school and middle school students, discussed the meaning of happiness, and showed them a video of  Lev L’Achim’s programs for teenage girls.  Subsequently, he spoke at Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim/Talmudical Academy high school, Yeshivat Rambam, Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore, and Yeshivas Ner Yisroel high school.

On Tuesday evening, there was a parlor meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Tzvi Friedman which was attended by over two hundred people. Rabbi Zohar spoke about he was influenced to change his life, the amazing work of Lev L’Achim, and the obligation that each one of us has to share the beauty of Yiddishkeit with other Yidden. A video of one of Lev L’Achim’s newest programs, The “Mitchazkim”, was shown. Audible gasps were heard from the audience as they witnessed the transformation of tough, Israeli teenagers to fine yeshivah bachurim.

Over the course of the day, close to two thousand Baltimore residents were deeply affected by magnetism of this true tzadik and inspired to become partners with P’eylim / Lev L’Achim in their historic mission.

On Sunday morning, January 10th, at 9:15 AM, the annual United Flatbush Breakfast Reception on behalf of P’eylim / Lev L’Achim will take place at the Agudah of Avenue L.

Under the leadership of the dynamic Chairman, Yanky Arem, the Flatbush event has come to encompass 86 groups including 70 Shuls and 16 summer colonies. The planning and coordination –which includes separate, personalized letters for each group from their respective chairmen— has brought the community together in anticipation and excitement.

The program will include Divrei Bracha from the new Mara D’Asra of the Agudah of Avenue L, Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff shlit’a and include a keynote address by the Lakewood Mashgiach, Rav Mattisyahu Salomon shlit’a. Rav Uri Zohar shlit’a will speak on behalf of the Hanhala of Lev L’Achim.

The event, co-hosted by Avi Lazar & Bobby Orbach, is being sponsored in part by Abraham Banda of Pomegranate. The breakfast itself will be catered by Pomegranate and will surely be as delightful to the palate as the program will be inspiring to the soul.

Due to popular demand a complete women’s section has been created on the lower level of the Agudah where breakfast will be served and the entire program will be broadcast from upstairs live and in color.

As in Baltimore, the Flatbush event will be focusing this year on the burgeoning “Mitchazkim” program of Lev L’Achim. Once considered beyond the pale regarding all things religious, the teenaged population has become the most fertile ground for new baalei teshuva and Lev L’Achim is meeting this challenge with an array of special programs. The new video presentation, “The Revolution”, produced under the direction of Rav Uri Zohar, has been called one of the most powerful films ever to be featured at a tzedaka event.

Donations can be mailed to the US Development Office of Lev L’Achim at 1034 East 12th Street in Brooklyn, NY 11230 or credit card donations can be made online by clicking on the ad that appears at the right or by clicking HERE.

(YWN Desk – NYC)