By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Avraham Shemtov and Rabbi Yossi Futerfas were seen this week speaking while seated in one of the wooden gazebos scattered around Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York.
This scene is an ordinary one every summer. Only, this is no ordinary summer. As the two spoke, there was total silence in the background, not a child was in sight, and this was the first time they met in person this season.
Covid-19 has led New York State officials to forbid the operation of overnight camps, forcing the first Chabad boys camp to cease activity for the first time since 1956 when the Rebbe instructed its opening.
But as Chof Av, the yartzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson Tz”l, was approaching, Rabbi Shemtov had the urge to travel from his home in Philadelphia and be physically in the camp together with the camp director, Rabbi Futerfas.
The yartzeit of the Rebbe’s father is when Rabbi Shemtov organizes the Global Yarchei Kallah, an annual gathering of Torah study which the Rebbe has described as part of his fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Kibud Av – honoring a father – even after his passing.
This year, with travel restricted and the camp being closed, Rabbi Shemtov announced that the Yarchei Kallah will be held online as a 10-hour Torah learning broadcast that will begin IY”H this Monday in the morning hours in Israel and conclude in the evening hours in New York.
It will be opened with remarks by Rabbi Shemtov from the camp and follow with shiurim in nigleh, Halacha and Chassidus by leading rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva and Mashpiim from around the world who usually travel to the camp in the Catskills to participate. They will be speaking in Yiddish, Hebrew and English.
“When we began inviting the rabbis to this online event, I wasn’t sure what their reaction will be. After all, this was new territory for everyone,” commented Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, coordinator of the Yarchei Kallah since 2003.
“What we got was an enthusiastic response,” he said. Over 30 Rabbonim from around the world including Israel, USA, France, England, Argentina and Brazil were willing to adjust their expectations and share their Torah insights virtually.
Ahead of Monday’s broadcast, a downloadable booklet is being prepared by Rabbi Zusha Wolf of Kfar Chabad, collecting the topics and references (mareh mekomos) of the shiurim that will be given during the broadcast.
A new short documentary created by filmmaker Bentzi Avtzon will be shown, detailing the creation of Yarchei Kallah in 1974, showcasing the scholarly participants it has drawn over the years, and how it was cherished by the Rebbe.
The Rebbe famously encouraged Chassidim to participate in the Yarchei Kallah and publicly thanked those who made the effort to honor his father, the gaon and mekubal Harav Levi Yitzchok.
The Global Yarchei Kallah is dedicated annually by Ronald O. Perelman (Ari ben Rochel) in memory of his parents Gershon Reuven ben Moshe and Rochel bas Avrohom, of blessed memory.
Tune in this Monday, Chof Av (Aug. 10) for the live broadcast.
So cool, it should have been live streamed every year