Roshei Yeshiva are Worried Kollelim will be Forced to Close

Eretz Yisroel: Kollelim are among the mosdos already feeling the painful growing global economic crisis, with some already facing closure. Last Motzei Shabbos, a number of prominent Roshei Yeshiva headed for North America, told by Maran Rav Aryeh Leib Shteinman Shlita to make an attempt to raise badly needed cash from Gevirim in North America in the hope of preventing the closure of Torah Mosdos in Eretz Yisrael. The funds will be distributed by way of direct deposit in the bank accounts of avreichim. The effort results in the establishment of a large umbrella fund, which will absorb all the funds collected and permit equal distribution among Kollelim. Gedolei Torah view this as a Keren Hatzolah effort to keep Torah Mosdos in Eretz Yisrael operational. The project will place an emphasis on smaller Kollelim, whose heads are unable to raise the needed funds. Unfortunately, for some mosdos it is may be too late, such as the Yechavei Daas kollel of Rav Dovid Yosef Shlita, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, in Har Nof. Rav Dovid Shlita, informed avreichim that there monthly stipend will only include the amount contributed by the Ministry of Religious Services, not enough to support them, explaining he has been unable to raise funds during the recent months. Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel Shlita was also among the prominent Roshei Yeshiva seeking to raise a large sum, but unfortunately, he did not succeed. Rav Finkel had hoped to return with $5 million to address the difficult realities in Mir, but unfortunately, it does not appear that he succeeded. A number of major contributors in the past are no longer able to continue supporting the institution due to their current financial situation, because of the world economic crisis. In Mosdos Toldos Aaron, a message has been sent in the name of the Rebbe Shlita to increase tefillos and learning, explaining that the Rebbe Shlita has flown abroad in the hope of raising funds to uphold the Beis Medresh.