To the esteemed rabbonim gathered at the Conference of
European Rabbis conference, may Hashem be with you very much.
As I have heard, and like every matter related to
spirituality which requires strengthening, in all places
where Jews are scattered yeridas hadoros has had a
major effect. A large portion of our people are mixed with
non-Jews and there are places where for various reasons
people seek to convert to Judaism. One must investigate
carefully to insure that the conversion is in accordance with
Torah law; fraud is rampant and extra caution is needed.
There is also a need to expand Torah study, especially among
youths, for this determines one's spiritual level for the
rest of his life. When one is raised on the words of our
rabbonim throughout the generations there is hope that the
Torah will not leave one's mouth.
Yet even if they are already older, the light of Torah brings
them back on track and the rabbonim of every city are
responsible for the local community. Hopefully much benefit
can be accrued through extra attentiveness and hard work. May
Hashem guide us in the way of light to reach out to Jews who
have lost almost all ties to come close to their Father in
Heaven, and the merit of those who pursue zikui
horabbim is immeasurable.
26 Iyar 5767
Yosef Sholom Eliashiv
Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman
CER Meets in Odessa, Decides to Set Up Youth Organization
Across Europe
by Yated Ne'eman Staff
Following the call of gedolei Yisroel "to expand Torah
study, especially among youths" it was decided at the
gathering of the Standing Committee of the Conference of
European Rabbis in Odessa this week to set up a youth
organization throughout Europe to reach out to youths and
increase the number of shiurim for them across the
continent.
On Tuesday night HaRav Moshe Lebel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas
Toras Chaim in Moscow and menahel ruchani of the CER,
read aloud a special letter written by HaRav Shteinman and co-
signed by Maran HaRav Eliashiv shlita.
Led by HaRav Yosef Chaim Sitruk, the chief rabbi of France,
the CER held an extensive discussion on plans for action.
During the meeting HaRav Sitruk announced the formation of a
pan-European youth organization to bring young men together
under a united leadership to strengthen them in Torah and
mitzvas by increasing the availability of Torah
shiurim in every location.
The Standing Committee meets every six months and this time
Odessa was chosen as the venue to honor the Jewish community
in the Ukraine and the wonderful Tikva Institutions headed by
the rov of Odessa, HaRav Shlomo Baksht. The rabbonim
addressed a variety of topics relevant to European Jewry,
toured local institutions and met with the local community to
provide chizuk. On Tuesday the rabbonim visited the
community's developing institutions, including fabulous
synagogues, orphanages, kollelim and Torah-based
primary schools and high schools headed by HaRav Baksht.
HaRav Sitruk addressed the students of Shevet Achim,
commending them for the path they have chosen. During a visit
at the girls' schools MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz told the
students that by following in the ways of benos
Yisroel throughout the generations they were
demonstrating that Am Yisroel is eternal. The Standing
Committee decided to expand the activity of the special
European beis din headed by HaRav Ehrentreu, which was
started with the blessings of gedolei Yisroel at the
last gathering of the Standing Committee six months ago in
Gibraltar, and to expand the activity of the special halochoh
committee which provides all European rabbis halachic
solutions regarding day- to-day affairs as well as major
issues, in consultation with gedolei Yisroel
shlita.
During the course of the conference the rabbonim met with
government figures in Odessa and the Ukraine and participated
in a special dinner hosted by HaRav Baksht. Guests included
ambassadors from various countries, municipal leaders, the
provincial governor and government officials.
