Endorsements
Upon its inception, Keren Hayeled was endorsed by the leading Rabbis of the Jewish population, including Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev Soloveitchik Ztz”l (known as the Brisker Rav), Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky Ztz”l (known as the Steipler), Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager Ztz”l (of Vizhnitz), and Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein Shlit”a. Original photographs of their letter of approbation to our founder, Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Godlewsky have been translated below.
The Brisker Rav's letter
In honor of the honorable activists involved in saving the children of the immigrants [in Israel], headed by Rabbi Yehoshua Godlewsky Shlit”a,
In response to your request to express my opinion on the importance of your work for the salvation of the children of [Israeli] immigrants [from the irreligious authorities in Israel over 60 years ago] whose desire is to convert the children to their “religion,” I speak to arouse people to the magnitude of the danger, and to the obligation upon everyone to try and do as much as they can for this, because the matter cries out and speaks for itself, and woe to us that we have reached such a situation that has not been heard of in all the years of our exile.
Everyone who participates in your work is indeed included as one of the meritorious many who have been greatly rewarded, and I wish all the best to all who support and help in this.
Everyone who participates in your work is indeed included as one of the meritorious many who have been greatly rewarded, and I wish all the best to all who support and help in this.
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe's letter
I hereby appeal to everyone, in honor of the one who pursues righteousness and kindness, to support with a generous hand and a generous spirit in the name of honoring Hashem, Rabbi Yehoshua Godlewsky and his wife, the Rebbetzin, who are faithfully and devotedly engaged in a supremely great mitzvah of saving Jewish souls…. Therefore, it is a sacred duty upon everyone to participate in this holy work, Keren Hayeled, which was founded for this purpose, and I personally endorse their blessed and exalted work, and they are befitting of support in all areas.
The one who writes for the sake of the mitzvah [of saving Jewish souls], and who looks forward to His heavenly mercy,
Chaim Meir Hager
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilbershtein's letter
The greatness of the blessed deeds of Rabbi Yehoshua Godelevsky, Shlita, is well known. He heads the institution of Keren Hayeled about which our leaders have testified that it saves Jewish souls from the missionary [of the irreligious Israeli government] with devotion.
And, like the righteous who are devoted to holy pursuits, he has established a yeshiva in our neighborhood for our Sephardic, Israeli brothers, and I have come to testify to what my eyes have seen. It’s a large house where they are raised in Torah, faith, and fear of God, and where they instill in the students the labor of Torah with love and devotion. And now he has bought a plot of land in our neighborhood to build and expand the holiness….
And praised is he who extends a faithful hand to these holy undertakings.
The writer and signer of the Torah and those who study it.
And, like the righteous who are devoted to holy pursuits, he has established a yeshiva in our neighborhood for our Sephardic, Israeli brothers, and I have come to testify to what my eyes have seen. It’s a large house where they are raised in Torah, faith, and fear of God, and where they instill in the students the labor of Torah with love and devotion. And now he has bought a plot of land in our neighborhood to build and expand the holiness….
And praised is he who extends a faithful hand to these holy undertakings.
The writer and signer of the Torah and those who study it.
The Steipler was involved in the founding of Keren Hayeled and signed his consent on his grandson-in-law, Rabbi Yitzhok Zilberstein’s testimony. This shows the Steipler’s tremendous trust and validation which he already anticipated in the great Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein.
Hakomas Mezuzah ceremony
Throughout the decades, Keren Hayeled has continued to turn to the rabbinical leaders for guidance and invaluable encouragement.
As we completed renovations on our boys’ facilities just a couple of years ago, many of these leading rabbis were invited and agreed to honor us in performing the mitzvah of Hakamas Mezuza (putting up a new Mezuza) on our campus.
At these momentous occasions, see what they had to say about Keren Hayeled as they got better acquainted with our boys and staff.