Satmar Rav of Yerushalayim Leads Rare ‘Kinus Hamatzilim’ for Keren Vayoel Moshe Askanim

Last Wednesday, Parshas Ki Seitzei, a rare and uplifting "Kinus Hamatzilim" was held under the leadership of the Satmar Rav of Yerushalayim, Shlit"a. The gathering brought together nearly 60 dedicated askanim from the various Keren Vayoel Moshe offices across Eretz Yisroel. The event was dedicated to giving chizuk to these devoted individuals who work tirelessly, day and night, to save tens of thousands of neshamos from falling into the IDF draft.

The beautiful event took place in Moshav Beit Meir, on the outskirts of Yerushalayim. The evening began with a special session in a side hall, where veteran askanim with decades of experience sat shoulder-to-shoulder with newer activists, all united in their relentless askanus for hatzalas nefashos.

A comprehensive panel discussion was led by Reb Meir Shotland, one of the heads of Merkaz Hatzalah under Keren Vayoel Moshe. For over two hours, the askanim discussed crucial, sensitive topics and strategized new approaches to combat the bitter draft decree.

Following the meeting, the attendees moved into the main hall for a seudah nichbadah, spending time sheves achim gam yachad. Harav Dovid Gross, Shlit"a, a leader of Yad Lehoshia (a division of Keren Vayoel Moshe), served as the chairman of the event. He eloquently described the tremendous zechus of being part of this vital rescue apparatus.

The atmosphere reached a peak as the Satmar Rav of Yerushalayim, Shlit"a, entered the hall to grace the event. Following his arrival, Harav Binyomin Tepp, Shlit"a, chairman of Hatzalah L'Achim, delivered a warm address. He spoke from the heart to the askanim on the front lines, urging them to continue their holy work of saving Yidden from the threat of shmad with even greater strength and resolve.

The highlight of the evening was the heartfelt divrei chizuk from the Satmar Rav of Yerushalayim. The Rav emphasized that all of Klal Yisroel looks up to these "generals on the front lines," drawing inspiration from their milchemes Hashem. He showered the askanim with brachos and encouragement to press forward in their avodas hakodesh.

The crowd was then deeply moved by addresses from several bochurim who had previously been entangled with the military authorities. They publicly expressed their profound gratitude to the Keren Vayoel Moshe askanim who worked endlessly on their cases, ultimately succeeding b’siyata d’shmaya in rescuing them from the draft.

At the conclusion of the kinus, all the askanim passed by the Satmar Rav, who took the time to speak with each one individually, inquiring about their work and offering personal chizuk. The Kinus Hamatzilim left a lasting impression on the dedicated askanim, who returned home deeply inspired and reenergized to continue their vital mission of hatzalas neshamos.