„Shloshim“ – 30 days after the terrible date of the passing of our friend Reb Naftoli Smolyansky

The date of the „shloshim“ – 30 days after the terrible date of the passing of our friend Reb Naftoli Smolyansky.

Jewish tradition mandates that we remember the deceased especially during the first seven days (shiva), and afterwards on the thirtieth day (shloshim) and the anniversary (yohrtzeit), take it upon oneself to learn Torah and plan good deeds in his memory and to elevate his soul...

Naftoli was a great friend of Toldos Yeshurun. Every year, he gave more and more funds for our kiruv programs. But he didn’t limit himself to only financial help – he gave his entire heart. He dreamed of extending his hand to every Russian-speaking Jew, to make him think what it means to be a Jew, what life is for...

It was his dream that more Russian-speaking Jews should support Torah learning, he wanted to involve other businessmen in our projects...

In the past years, he was very preoccupied with the idea of distributing audio classes of Rabbi Kushnir: He would distribute them himself, asked us to produce new editions, made plans to have them broadcasted on the radio... For example, he financed our distribution of five thousand CDs “The Secret of Marital Bliss” on Brighton Beach two years ago. This project showed that with the help of Rabbi Asher Kushnir’s lectures, even very far removed Jewish souls can be awakened... People who received the CDs gave them to their friends, began copying and distributing them themselves. A chain reaction began.

His optimism, joie de vivre, persistence, generosity inspired and electrified, opening new horizons before us. New free mass distributions of Rabbi Asher Kushnir’s CDs, Rav Asher’s producing new lectures were being planned...

Naftoli! You should know – we will continue. Despite everything, in your memory, for the elevation of your soul, we will continue. A seminar is due to take place in Los Angeles from January 1-3, and a day of Torah in New York on January 4 will be dedicated to your memory, and a “Kindness and Help” page on our new website will be dedicated to you.

Naftoli! How many people feel orphaned now that you are gone...

Naftoli! Know – without you, it is very, very difficult for us...