Following the Rebbe’s hora’ah, the central Siyum HaRambam took place in Montreal this past Sunday, the eve of Tu B’Shevat, with a large crowd of local residents, Anash, and Temimim in attendance.

The event was emceed by Rabbi Shmuel Kramer, who invited Rabbi Shmuel Zalmanov to recite the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s kapitelach. A video presentation of the Rebbe regarding Siyum HaRambam was then screened for the audience.

The Siyum was conducted by Rabbi Berel Bell, Mara D’asra of Beis Medrash Lubavitch and member of the Montreal Vaad Ha’ir Beis Din. He was followed by Hatomim Binyamin Chaim Wilansky, who made a Siyum on Sefer Hamitzvos for the refuah shleima of his grandfather, the veteran mechanech Rabbi Tzemach Yosef Yitzchak ben Nechama.

The haschala of the new cycle was made by Rabbi Moshe Stern, Rav of Tzeirei Das V’Daas and a Rosh Yeshiva in Montreal.

The keynote address was delivered by the guest speaker, Rabbi Zusha Winner, Rosh Yeshiva at Chovevei Torah and Shliach in Brighton Beach, NY. The crowd also heard greetings from Montreal’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yonasan Binyamin Weiss, and the Skverer Dayan, Rabbi Yochanan Wosner.

Adam Spiro, a lawyer from the community, spoke about how he took it upon himself to learn three perokim a day, and he strongly encourages the audience to strengthen themselves, with many people, thanks to him, committing to learning three perokim a day.

Following the official program, a spirited farbrengen led by Rabbi Winner continued well into the night.