Despite torrential rain as only Manchester can produce, the
first day of Selichos saw the entire Kehilla
out in force to participate in the hanochas even
hapinoh of the final phase of Yeshivas Shaarei Torah's
building project, the erection of a second dormitory block
and the expansion of the beis hamedrash wing.
Following Tehillim led by the Mashgiach, Rav Shmuel
Goldberg, the chairman, Rav Simcha Bamberger, welcomed all
the distinguished guests and especially Mr. Leo Noe
accompanied by his illustrious parents, Mr. and Mrs. Zalmen
Noe and other family members from London. He paid tribute to
all those who made the financial success of this building
campaign possible, making particular mention of Mr. And Mrs.
Moishe Gross, amongst the veteran supporters as well as the
hard working Committee members.
In his remarks, Rav Bamberger stressed that in the current
climate where standards had sunk to those of the Dor
HaMabul, the only antidote was the learning of Torah by a
force of dedicated bnei Torah which is what made this
additional stage in the growth of Shaarei Torah so
auspicious.
The rosh hayeshiva Rav Gavriel Knoptler in an
emotionally charged address explained that whilst joy was
permitted in anticipation of the fulfillment of one's
endeavors, this could only be translated into a true
outpouring of song when their completion took place. The
Foundation Stone ceremony taking place when the building work
was well advanced, allowed one to demonstrate a large measure
of simcha and look forward with hope to the speedy
conclusion of the building project.
Following the unveiling of Foundation Stones in the beis
hamedrash wing by three principal pillars of the Yeshiva,
Mr. Mordechai Weisz, Mr. Shmuel Rechnitzer, and Mr. Sim
Rubin, the Foundation Stone in the dormitory block was
dedicated by Mr. Leo Noe.
In a powerful address the guest speaker, Rav Shimon
Weingarten, rov of Bridge Lane Shul, London, referred to the
premier position which Shaarei Torah enjoys among mosdos
haTorah in the Torah world and the love of Torah of the
Manchester kehilla. From his personal acquaintance
with family Noe he was able to testify that Mr. Noe's
outstanding generosity derived from the purest of motives and
was aimed at enhancing Torah study which he values greatly.
He conjectured that the miraculous survival of his parents
from the Gehennom of Auschwitz may well have been to
allow their offspring to be such magnificent supporters of
Torah institutions.
At the reception that followed, Rav Shneebalg, the rov of
Machzikei Hadass Kehilla, spoke warmly of the rosh
hayeshiva and hanholo. He stated that the fact
that people made sacrifices to support the Yeshiva obligated
the talmidim to learn with hasmodoh and to
maximize their potential.
The Committee is now looking forward with great anticipation
to the completion of the new buildings and their chanukas
habayis which will take place iy"H in the summer
of 5761.
