HaRav Chaim Volkin shlita, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel and head of the N’sius of Shuvu in Eretz Yisrael, made a historic visit to New York last week, accompanied by Shuvu Director Rav Chaim Michoel Gutterman, to benefit and promote the kiruv network of schools.
Despite his Erev Rosh HaShanah pressure, with over 30 vaadim planned for those days in Israel, the Mashgiach did not hesitate to make the change in his schedule, explaining that the kiruv of yaldei Yisrael overrides any other obligations.
During his brief visit to New York, the Mashgiach met with local g’dolei Yisrael, including members of the Mo’etzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America: HaGaon HaRav Elya Brudny (a rosh yeshivah in Mir–Brooklyn and one of the heads of Shuvu’s N’sius) and Chacham Yosef Harari-Raful (Rosh HaYeshivah of Yeshiva Ateret Torah). He also met with HaRav Naftali Jaeger shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Sh’or Yoshuv in Lawrence, and delivered sichos chizuk for the Yamim Nora’im in several yeshivos and kollelim. At a gathering of m’chanchim held at his son’s home in Lawrence, the Mashgiach answered questions regarding complex chinuch challenges that were posed to him by the crowd.
HaRav Volkin also spent Shabbos in Lawrence by his son, spoke at the Agudath Israel, and met with the heads of the k’hilah.
On Sunday morning, the Mashgiach participated in a parlor meeting in Manhattan. Among the participants were Chevron rosh yeshivah HaGaon HaRav Yosef Chevroni, Shuvu co-chairmen R’ Avrohom Biderman and R’ Yossi Hoch, Shuvu Board Member R’ Aharon Pam, and Shuvu Director Rav Chaim Michoel Gutterman. The guest speaker at the event was the rabbi of The Edmond J. Safra Synagogue, HaRav Eli J. Mansour, who delivered a most inspiring speech about the importance of tz’dakah and its unique significance during the Y’mei HaDin.
Throughout his visit, the Mashgiach reiterated the chiyuv upon each and every one to support the Shuvu network, stating that it is “one of the greatest kiruv organizations today, bringing about the major revolution taking place before our very eyes in Eretz Yisrael, following the vision of Shuvu’s founder, HaGaon HaRav Avraham Pam zt”l.”
The g’dolim in the United States commented on the Mashgiach’s literally “dropping everything” the week before Rosh HaShanah for the sake of Shuvu, showing his m’sirus nefesh for the organization, and also stating how it is m’chayeiv each and every one to assist.
HaRav Volkin shlita has visited several Shuvu schools throughout Eretz Yisrael since becoming involved one year ago. Two weeks ago, in honor of the opening of the new school year, he visited Shuvu Netanya and Shuvu Petach Tikva, together with HaRav Avraham Halberstam, head of the Sanzer Kollelim and son of the Rebbe shlita. The inspired talmidim in both schools were very excited to meet the great rabbanim, and they waited patiently on line to shake their hands and receive their brachah for a shanah tovah.
