[COMMUNICATED CONTENT]

by Devorah Koenig

CHESTERFIELD, MO

Missouri Torah Institute celebrated a historic Chanukas Habayis this past Sunday, with over 700 men, women and children in attendance at their new campus in Chesterfield, MO, touted as “Magnificence in Missouri”.

People from all walks of life representing many communities across the country came–many of them well before the program began, arriving in cars, chartered planes, coach buses and limousines.

Out of town Rabbonim and VIPs were given a pre-tour of the building followed by private luncheons hosted separately by Horav Aaron Winter, Rav of the Chesterfield Community and the Building Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Craig Reiss and Mr. Charles Deutsch.

MTI Talmidim were involved in every aspect of the Chanukas Habayis, from playing violin in the main reception area, to acting as tour guides for the many guests in attendance.

Dr. Craig Reiss, Building Committee Co-Chair addressed the crowd and gave thanks to all those who were involved and supportive. The event was graced with the honorable presence of Roshei Yeshiva of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, Horav Dovid Harris, and Horav Akiva Grunblatt, shlita, as well as National Director of Torah U’Mesorah Horav Dovid Nojowitz, and Horav Nota Greenblatt, Founder of Vaad Ha-Kehiloth of Memphis, who all shared their inspiring divrei bracha. Mayor of Chesterfield, Hon. Bob Nation, and the CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, PhD, were in attendance as well, in support and awe of the magnificent acquisition.

Horav Malkiel Kotlar, unable to attend, offered divrei bracha on a video presentation to inspire the crowd, along with gedolim such as the Novominsker Rebbe, Horav R’ Shmuel Kamenetsky, Horav Avrohom Chaim Levin, Horav Aharon Feldman and Horav Shmuel Fuerst. Rabbi Wasser gave Hakoras Hatov to the local community for their tremendous support of MTI, from its inception and through this milestone, and presented as a token of appreciation a sterling silver menorah to Horav Aaron Winter, Rav of Congregation Tpheris Israel. Tpheris Israel housed Missouri Torah Institute at their location for the last seven years.

Mr. Deutsch gave an emotional closing remark addressed to the MTI talmidim and supporters, charging them to take advantage of the opportunities presented by this magnificent campus and outstanding institution.

The program was followed by live music and energized dancing, led by Yehuda Green, Nochi Krohn and Ari Boiangiu, echoing throughout the wide open spaces and soaring ceilings of the yeshiva, as a drone circled overhead videoing the simcha-filled atmosphere.

The new campus offers bochurim the utmost in ruchnius and gashmius and provides a medium for unprecedented growth for them, the Yeshiva, and the local community, making it a source of inspiration nationwide.

For more information about Missouri Torah Institute, please contact us at 636-778-1896.

In front of the Magnificent new MTI campus, (L-R) Avi Goldfeder, Herschel Leiner, Rabbi Bentzion Chait, Charles Deutsch, Erez Baver, Barak Baver, Yossi Meystel, Yehoshua Davis, Rabbi Nosson Factor, Yosef Knopf.

Dr. Craig Reiss – Chairman of the board and Building Committee Co-Chair, addressing the crowd.

Over 700 people in attendance – a historic display of Kavod Hatorah at the MTI Chanukas Habayis event.

MTI Presentation of Menorah to Congregation Tpheris Israel (L-R) Dr. Keith Mankowitz, Dr. Craig Reiss,
Rabbi Aaron Winter, Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Rabbi Avroham Goldman, Rabbi Shmuel Wasser.