In a deeply disturbing and heartbreaking incident, the synagogue and study hall of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, the Rishon LeZion and former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, was deliberately set on fire in Jerusalem this past week. Sacred books were reduced to ashes, and the seat from which the Rav delivered countless shiurim was scorched.
But the fire that burned in the heart of Jerusalem did not remain there.
It struck painfully close to home for the Jewish community of Queens, as the shul that was desecrated is also home to Chazaq’s Kollel Ohr Aviel in Jerusalem.
“This is not just an attack on a building or on a specific person,” said Rabbi Ilan Meirov, Director of Chazaq. “This is an attack on Torah itself, and we all feel the pain — from Jerusalem to New York and beyond.”
The Chazaq Jerusalem kollel, located within the very same beit midrash, has been a source of immense pride for the Queens community. It represents a powerful bridge between Jews in the diaspora and the heartbeat of Torah in the Holy Land. A dozen young avreichim learn there daily, their tefillos and Torah learning echoing in the same halls that were desecrated by the flames.
The current Chief Rabbi of Israel and Nasi of the Beis Din HaGadol, HaRav David Yosef, spoke with deep emotion about the devastation.
“I heard with great pain about the severe incident in my brother’s synagogue — where his seat was set ablaze and his books were burned, including works of our father, Maran. We must all condemn this and stand united in honoring the sanctity of our batei knesses.”
The attack comes at a time of growing division and tension within Israeli society, making the call for unity and respect for Torah all the more urgent. For Chazaq — which stands at the forefront of promoting Jewish unity and Torah outreach — the message is clear: We will not be silenced. We will rebuild. We will continue to shine the light of Torah even brighter, both in America and in Eretz Yisrael.
