Keren Birchas Shmuel, founded ten years ago by HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum zt"l and ylct"a HaRav Dovid Schustal shlita, held its annual meeting during the Selichos period which was attended by an overflow crowd estimated at more than 7,000. The event was dedicated to strengthening the organization and praying for the success of the Torah community of Eretz Yisroel.
The crowd filled up the Beis Feiga and overflowed to a huge tent set up outside that held more than 2,000. People were even sitting on the streets.
Given the distress of the Torah community of Eretz Yisroel, HaRav Malkiel Kotler asked the askonim of the Keren to use their annual organizational gathering to pray for relief in Eretz Yisroel. The event was backed by the call of HaRav Shteinman and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky from Eretz Yisroel, as well as HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky, HaRav Avrohom Chaim Levine, HaRav Aharon Feldman, HaRav Aharon Schechter, the Admor of Novominsk, HaRav Eliahu Wachtfogel, HaRav Rosenblum and more. HaRav Kotler and HaRav Matisyahu Salomon spoke specially to emphasize the importance of the event.
The emcee of the event was R' Menashe Frankel. Speakers included HaRav Malkiel Kotler, HaRav Chaim Epstein and guest speaker HaRav Elya Chaim Swerdloff, who gave a speech that moved and inspired all present.