The following photo essay shows the laying of the cornerstone  for Kehillas Chanichei HaYeshivos in the Givat Mordechai neighborhood of Yerushalayim. The shul is in memory of Avigail and Yael Gross a”h, the children who died of systemic collapse after their apartment was fumigated by an exterminator in 2014.

Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshivos and public officials took part in the event, the laying of the cornerstone where the shul will be constructed. The event coincided with the two-year yahrzeit of the tragedy. The family returned home after it was fumigated and as the hours passed, the parents realized their little ones were getting sicker by the moment. B’chasdei Hashem their sons survived the event as did the parents, Rav Shimie and Michal Gross.

Among the prominent rabbonim who took part in the event were HaGaon HaRav Moshe Mordechai Farberstein Shlita, a resident of the community as well as members of the Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael of Degel Hatorah HaGaon Rav David Cohen Shlita and HaGaon Rav Yosef Chevroni Shlita.

Also present were Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, Jerusalem Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar Shlita, Mir Mashgiach HaGaon HaTzaddik Rav Aaron Chadash Shlita and community rabbonim including Rabbi Isser Klonsky Shlita, Rabbi Yosef Sharabi Shlita, and Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita.

Gedolei Yisrael are among those who signed the Megillas HaYesod (Founding Charter). Names appearing on that document include:

· מרן רה”י הגאון רבי אהרן לייב שטיינמן שליט”א,

· מרן שה”ת הגאון רבי חיים קנייבסקי שליט”א,

· נשיא מועצת חכמי התורה הגאון רבי שלום כהן שליט”א,

· רבי ניסים קרליץ שליט”א,

· רבי גרשון אדלשטיין שליט”א,

· רבי משה הלל הירש שליט”א,

· רבי אריה פינקל שליט”א,

· רבי ברוך מרדכי אזרחי שליט”א,

· רבי אליעזר יהודה פינקל שליט”א, ר

· בי יצחק אזרחי שליט”א,

· רבי שלמה פישר שליט”א,

· רבי דב יפה שליט”א

The kehilla has been in existence for forth year, utilizing two stores in the area. The shul is active throughout the day, and what is especially noteworthy is the achdus between the chareidim and dati leumi, as well as the Ashkenazim and Sephardim.

Nine years ago, when the shul was too small due to the growing number of mispallalim, the gabbaim applied to the city for a new shul that can accommodate the mispallalim and the many guests who visit.

Following years of discussion, lobbying and tenacious efforts, with the assistance of the Degel Hatorah faction in Yerushalayim including Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus, Rabbi Eliezer Ruchberger and Rabbi Yisrael Kellerman, who worked tirelessly towards advancing the project, a few months ago an area was allocated for a new shul.

Community members were ready to begin immediately and to start construction, and the foundation is to be poured in the coming days.

Residents Rav Shimon Gross and his wife Michal wish to commemorate the lives of their daughters through the shul and are working to contact philanthropists to assist them.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photos: ברוך יערי)