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The historic Keren Olam HaTorah mission to South America officially began Monday morning with the arrival of a delegation of leading gedolei Yisroel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, ahead of a series of major dinner events and maamadei chizuk on behalf of lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

Participating in the delegation are Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avrohom Salim, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rav Malkiel Kotler, and Rav Yosef Chevroni, rosh yeshiva of Chevron.

On their way from Eretz Yisroel, the rabbonim made a stopover in Paris, where they were hosted at the home of philanthropist Reb Johaquim Cohen. During the visit, the delegation davened Shacharis and was served breakfast before continuing on to Brazil.

Upon arriving in Sao Paulo, the gedolim immediately began a packed schedule of visits and fundraising events within the local Jewish community. The central gathering was held at the home of philanthropist Reb Yaakov Stern and was attended by prominent supporters of Torah, local roshei mosdos, and guests who traveled specially from Deal, New Jersey.

During the dinner, Rav Yaakov Hillel spoke passionately about the urgent need to strengthen support for the olam haTorah during this difficult period. “If we make efforts and push ourselves beyond our natural abilities, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will repay us many times over,” he said.

Rav Shimon Galei followed with emotional remarks describing the amal haTorah and mesirus nefesh displayed by bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. He called upon the assembled nedivim to answer the call of “Mi LaHashem Eilai” and partner in sustaining the world of Torah.

Philanthropist Reb Ezra Irani also addressed the gathering and outlined the background and purpose behind the establishment of Keren Olam HaTorah. He emphasized that the gedolei Yisroel view the work of the fund as a matter of literal hatzolas nefashos.

Later, the delegation paid a special visit to the Talmud Torah Hamaor in Sao Paulo, where the gedolim were welcomed enthusiastically by the children with singing and dancing in honor of the rare visit.

Rav Chaim Peretz Berman addressed the students and expressed amazement at the flourishing growth of Torah around the globe. “One can clearly see how Hakadosh Boruch Hu ensures that in every corner of the world, Torah continues to thrive and blossom,” he said.

At the conclusion of the event, the gedolei Yisroel signed special certificates of recognition for students who completed Maseches Kiddushin and successfully passed examinations on the masechta.

The Keren Olam HaTorah mission is expected to continue in the coming days as the delegation travels onward to Argentina for additional dinners and meetings aimed at strengthening support for the olam haTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

Video, Photos: At a Dinner for Keren Olam Hatorah at the Home of Alberto Safra In Brazil https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/VIDEO-2026-05-11-23-02-18.mp4

[Videos below.] Heavy police presence and street closures surrounded the area outside the Young Israel of Midwood in Flatbush, Brooklyn, tonight, as demonstrators and police clashed outside a real estate event promoting property purchases in Israel.

Hundreds of people arrived on both sides of the issue, with pro-Palestinian activists protesting the sale of properties they claim are located on land taken from Palestinians, including homes in communities in Yehuda and Shomron.

Organizers of the protest said the gathering was intended to pressure city officials and challenge the legitimacy of such events taking place in New York.

“We’re here today to send a message to the city and to send a message to the organizers that these kinds of events cannot and will not stand in New York City,” Taher Dahleh, the organizer with the Palestinian Youth movement, said.

The event itself featured Israeli real estate listings and agents offering assistance to prospective buyers interested in purchasing homes and navigating the buying process in Israel.

Some protesters waved Hezbollah flags overhead and chanted, “Globalize the intifada.”

The anti-Semites chanted, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel will fall,” “Baby killers,” and, “Death to the IDF.” They held orange banners that read, “Israel is killing children.

Handful of protesters leaving scene of rally in Midwood pic.twitter.com/T41FtelfUp

— Luke Tress (@luketress) May 11, 2026

Those who came to support the event or oppose the protests argued that the pro-Hamas demonstrators were unfairly targeting a Jewish neighborhood and disrupting a community trying to go about daily life.

“There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a [predominantly] Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace,” counterprotester Kasondra Watkins said.

The demonstrations unfolded as the New York City Council continues debating legislation related to protest “buffer zones.” Council members are currently considering whether to override Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s veto of a bill involving educational institutions.

Another measure creating buffer zones around houses of worship, however, was allowed to stand and was not vetoed by the mayor.

Local residents expressed concern that bringing the conflict into the center of Midwood has heightened anxiety and created tension in the neighborhood.

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{Matzav.com}