On Wednesday evening, June 11, at Passaic’s elegant Brookhaven Boutique Event Space, TorahAnytime celebrated its 20th anniversary with an Appreciation Evening recognizing the team behind its mission—those who have brought Torah to every corner of the globe.
With more than 80 team members spanning time zones and continents, not everyone could be present in person, but the spirit of unity was unmistakable. Volunteers from TorahAnytime Español flew in to express a single, resounding message: “We had to be here. TorahAnytime means everything to us.”
Marketing Director Eve Cantor, who chaired the event, called the evening “deeply moving.” It was a rare moment to pause and acknowledge those who make it all happen quietly and consistently—coders, editors, coordinators, speakers, and visionaries—each helping propel the mission toward an astonishing 18 million hours of Torah learned this year.
Co-founders Shimon and Rubin Kolyakov reflected on the journey that began with a handful of recordings and a dream. “We never imagined this… but Hashem did,” Shimon shared. Rubin then presented bold updates about the organization’s future, including the upcoming launch of TATi, an AI-powered Torah tool that will bring halachah, hashkafah, and limud access to a new generation. He also unveiled a handheld device designed to place Torah literally in people’s pockets.
Rubin took a poignant pause to honor Meir Sommers, TorahAnytime’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), who transitioned from emergency medical work to saving souls through Torah. “He used to save lives,” Rubin said. “Now—he saves after-lives.”
Executive Director Yosef Davis delivered heartfelt divrei Torah, describing the team’s work as nothing short of spiritual shlichus. “You’re not just sharing Torah,” he said. “You’re carrying it through the streets of this generation.”
Then came the keynote address from Rabbi Ari Neuwirth, menahel of Mesivta Derech HaTorah, whose words electrified the room with personal stories, deep Torah, and a challenge to act.
“These weren’t just team members of an organization,” he said. “These were spiritual warriors who said, like our ancestors at Har Sinai, Na’aseh v’nishma—‘We will do, and we will understand.’”
He recounted a conversation with a highly successful attorney who admitted he’d never become truly great—not because he lacked resources, but because he overanalyzed every decision. Rabbi Neuwirth contrasted this with Nike’s famous slogan: Just do it. “Not because it always makes sense,” he said, “but because action breaks paralysis.” That, he explained, is TorahAnytime. “They didn’t wait for perfect funding or flawless planning. They just did it.”
From there, Rabbi Neuwirth delivered one of the evening’s most memorable lessons—a story of a wealthy businessman who pledged 500 rubles to the Chofetz Chaim if a deal went through. When the deal closed and the banks were shut for the night, he feared the yetzer hara would cool his resolve by morning. So he immediately sent the full amount—in cash—through the mail. “Inspiration has an expiration date,” Rabbi Neuwirth said. “Real emunah means acting before logic stalls the soul.”
He then posed the essential question: How do we know TorahAnytime is vital?
Because the Torah says: hasheiv t’shiveim lo—if you find a lost object, return it. “How much more so,” he asked, “if you find a lost neshamah, a lost connection to Torah?” That is what TorahAnytime does—every day, across every zip code, one shiur at a time.
For me personally, this evening held special meaning. TorahAnytime’s headquarters is just down the block from my home on 69th Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills, but my journey with the organization began years ago during my time at Chazaq. Together with fellow volunteer Robbie Aboff, we organized countless lectures, nearly all of which continue to thrive on TorahAnytime’s powerful platform.
Chazaq’s events division remains in full swing today, producing hundreds of thousands of hours of inspiring Torah programming annually. While Robbie couldn’t make it to this celebration, Queens was proudly represented by a strong cohort of local volunteers—some who work inside the headquarters, others who devote countless hours recording shiurim throughout the tri-state region. I’ve also had the z’chus to be one of a small group of convention recorders and, through that role, to meet an extraordinary roster of rabbinic leaders who shape and elevate our generation.
I would be remiss not to give a heartfelt shoutout to several individuals who have worked closely with me over the years and whose ongoing devotion continues to power this mission forward: Dovid Pine, TorahAnytime’s Director of Volunteers; Yisroel Ament, whose music direction enhances so many Daily Dose messages; Rachamim Segev, one of our community’s most devoted employees and volunteers who lives and breathes Torah with every moment he gives; and TorahAnytime’s field stalwarts: Meir Arazi, David Barturo of Torah Life, Chaim Yuir Brief, Nesanel Epstein, Asher Kranczer, Rabbi Dovid Hirsch, Yosef Schonbrun, and Yisrael Slivs. Their behind-the-scenes work may go unnoticed by the broader public, but in Shamayim, their efforts shine.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
