Rabbi Avrohom Binsky - Kehillas Moreshes Yaakov

The hundreds of thousands of Russian Jews now crowding Brooklyn neighborhoods, families consisting of grandparents, parents, teenagers and toddlers, are thirsting for Torah now more than ever. Clearly recognizable by their speech, mannerisms and appearance, they have not been successfully assimilated into the mainstream Jewish community. Some inroads have been made with their children. Especially established "Russian Yeshivas," together with certain mainstream Yeshivas, have attempted to educate a portion of the Russian Jewish youth, but most remain seemingly oblivious to the Torah Jews surrounding them. The reason is simple – they cannot yet relate to American-born and raised Jews.

Along comes Rabbi Binsky and his idea of founding a kehilla for Russian Jews.

Rabbi Binsky, a dynamic young Rav born in Vilna, was educated at yeshivos in Israel and received Smicha from Shvut Ami. After living there several years, he and his family moved to the United States. Immediately, he plunged into the formidable task of trying to mitigate the rapidly escalating problem of Russian assimilation, but from a unique aspect. His approach was to found a Kehilla - a place where Russian immigrants could daven, learn, celebrate simchos-among their own. They would derive spiritual sustenance from a Russian-speaking Rabbi. They would fraternize with others from the same background and culture. They would become part of a group of like-minded individuals and families and find their place with the Kehilla.

Without question, one of the most cogent reasons for the community's splendid success is that it is a product of the community itself. It thrives and grows because it provides its members with a place where they are comfortable, a place to feel at home. " There is no question that the secret ingredient for why Kehila Moreshes Yaakov has succeeded at being mekarev entire families where so many other methods have failed," says Rabbi Binsky, "is that we have established a community that lives together, davens together, learns together-this is what keeps us

strong."

Today, over 100 Russian families and several hundred singles have become members of the Kehilla and are fully observant. There are nightly shiurim five nights out of the week on various levels. Shabbos and weekday davening attract a sizable olam and a Bris program has been the catalyst for hundreds of brissim in the kehilla. Special functions throughout the year, related to Yomim Tovim also help to foster a communal feeling.

Rabbi Binsky gives general shiurim in his new beis medrash, lectures in private homes to groups of families, and arranges for private chavrusos for the more advanced. His warm and vivacious personality continues to spur the growth of his Kehillah, a Kehillah of Russian B’nei Torah.

The Kehilah's Shalosh Seudos is an experience in itself. Every Shabbos after Mincha the Kehilah sets up beautifully a delicious meal. There is no one person whose job it is to set or clean up. Rather, everyone works together to get it done as one happy family. Rabbi Binsky delivers a D'var Torah , setting the proper tone for a Shabbos Seuda .The atmosphere there is relaxed and leisurely with everyone soaking in the Kedushas Shabbos . Instead of thinking what time is the Z'man, thoughts are on Ruchniyus. When Kehilah members bring their guests, the first comments are on the privilege of belonging and being a part of this Kehilah.

Kehillas Moreshes Yaakov is under the guidance of HaRav HaGaon Yisroel Belsky shlit"a, Rosh Yeshiva of Torah vo'Daas, who is the Nosi Hakovod. Rav Belsky shlit"a and Rav Eliezer Kugel shlit"a, Rosh Yeshivas Shvut Ami, are the Rebbeim of Rav Avrohom Binsky.

The Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav HaGaon Rav Shmuel

Berenbaum shlit"a, commented on his visit to the kehilla: I see from this holy Kehila how we can become holy. I see that we all stood at Har Sinai and were implanted with holiness. If after 70 years to Communism you can all stand here completely dedicated to Torah and Mitzvos, it must be because we were all at Har Sinai. For 25 minutes as the Rosh Yeshiva spoke, no one stirred, no one uttered a word. The Rosh Yeshiva concluded by praising Rav Binsky as a "special man," a person that the Kehila should follow and listen to.

The work of bringing Russian Jews back to Torah continues.