The first night of Hanukkah was indeed a night of miracles in the city of Lakewood, NJ. Over twenty Bukharian avreichim (men who learn Torah full time) who live in Lakewood and learn Torah in different batei midrashim there came with their wives to the home of Rabbi Abo Zavalunov to bond and gain encouragement from each other. We had the merit of hearing from Rabbi Igal Haimoff, Rav of Congregation Ohel Simcha of Queens, who gave us a look into how he was able to transform the Bukharian community into what it has become today. Rabbi Haimoff related to us how he was learning in Kollel with his chavruta when suddenly a man walked in and asked for Rabbi Igal Haimoff. The fellow then gave Rabbi Haimoff a message that would change his life and the lives of the community members forever: “The Bukharian community is drowning and the gedolim are calling on you to help.”
“It wasn’t easy in the beginning,” said Rabbi Haimoff, “I didn’t know where to start.” Rabbi Haimoff stressed that one of the most important midot (character traits) we can have is that of emes (truth). Being that it was the day that the Jewish world heard about the loss of one of its greatest leaders, Rav Aron Leib Shteinman zt”l, Rabbi Haimoff reminisced on a number of personal encounters he had with Rav Shteinman. Rav Shteinman and Rav Haimoff had once spoken at the same venue together, at Yeshivat Shairei Tzion in Eretz Yisrael. After Rav Haimoff mentioned a story about the Chafetz Chaim, Rav Shteinman asked where he had heard this story from, as Rav Shteinman had never heard it. Rabbi Haimoff told him he wasn’t certain if he heard the story or if he read it in a sefer. As Rav Haimoff landed in America he received a phone call from the shamash of Rav Shteinman. “Rav, you must find the source for that story because Rav Shteinman was not able to sleep all night.” Rav Haimoff immediately went home, found the sefer where he saw this story, and called the shamash to give him the source. “In order to have influence on people, they need to see that you are being truthful with them,” said Rabbi Haimoff.
As the night was coming to a close, Rabbi Haimoff was presented with a new sefer, which was put together by Rabbi Efraim Aminov and graciously donated by Mr. Sasson Musayev. The sefer contains in-depth divrei Torah from the Bukharian avreichim who live in Lakewood. “At times, being Bukharian in Lakewood could feel like you are the only one here,” said Rabbi Aminov. “This event was geared to show that there is a larger group of Bukharians who have dedicated their lives for the study of Torah. We are also currently paving the way for a Bukharian Night Kollel in Lakewood,w where Bukharian avreichim can come together every night and bask away in the holy words of the Torah.”
The night was capped off with a surprise visit from Rav Aharon Walkin, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohel Simcha. Rabbi Walkin spoke to the avreichim on the importance of learning Torah and how at many times it will be very hard. He encouraged them to continue to learn Torah in its depth, as the focus of every Jew’s life has to be Torah study. To end off the night, Rabbi Haimoff told of a speech he gave in Yeshivat Sharei Tzion in Queens on a Sunday at a fathers and sons learning program. He told them, “We are approaching the holiday of Hanukkah, where we’ll light candles to symbolize the defeat that the Jews had over the Greeks. Every child here is a lit candle because the biggest miracle is that you are here today and are learning Torah. The flame of the Jewish soul will never be put out.”
Anyone who would like to help sponsor the Bukharian night kollel can call Rabbi Efraim Aminov at 848-223-1479 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Igal Haimoff Inspires At Gathering Of Bukharian Avreichim In Lakewood
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