At a historic gathering, 4,000 Bnei Torah from the Bukharian Jewish community gathered for the annual “Kesser Torah” event, during which R’ Lev Leviev distributed grants to Bnei Torah amounting to over $4 million dollars. Leviev shared how the Rebbe motivates his philanthropic activities.
At a historic and uplifting gathering held at Binyanei Ha’umah in Yerushalayim, nearly 4,000 Bnei Torah from the Bukharian Jewish community across Eretz Yisroel gathered to celebrate the annual “Kesser Torah” event—organized by the World Congress of Bukharian Jewry, under the presidency of philanthropist R’ Lev Leviev.
The event, held in honor of dedicated Torah learners, featured a powerful outpouring of support for Torah and lomdei Torah, with scholarship grants totaling over 4 million dollars (15 million shekels) distributed to participants. Each participant received between 2,000 and 5,000 shekels as an expression of appreciation for their dedication and to bolster Torah learning during these challenging times.
Distinguished gedolei Torah, roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and leaders of the Bukharian community were in attendance and addressed the crowd with heartfelt words of inspiration, emphasizing the greatness of Torah learning and the eternal reward for those who toil in its study.
Speakers included: Rishon L’Tzion Harav Yitzchak Yosef, Chief Rabbi of Israel Harav Kalman Bar, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron Harav Dovid Cohen, Member of Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah Harav Avraham Salim, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef Harav Shmuel Betzalel, Raavad of Tel Aviv Harav Nissim Ben Shimon.
Leading the Bukharian Torah world were Harav Zevadia Cohen, Harav Ben Tzion Cohen Rabin, Harav Shlomo Rabin of the Bukharian community in the U.S., and Rabbi Yitzchak Shmelov, Secretary General of the Rabbinic Union of Bukharian Jewry. The event was also honored by the presence of Harav Binyahu Shmueli, Rosh Yeshivas HaMekubalim, and Harav Eliyahu Tufik, Rosh Yeshivas Be’er Yehuda.
The gathering was marked by elevated spirit, traditional Bukharian melodies, and stirring words from the rabbonim, who connected the messages of Pesach with the centrality of Torah study in Jewish life.
A highlight of the evening was the address of R’ Lev Leviev, who received heartfelt praise for his lifelong support of Torah institutions. He spoke emotionally about his family’s mesirus nefesh behind the Iron Curtain, and the flame of Yiddishkeit they preserved under communist persecution—a legacy inspired by the shliach sent by the Rebbe Rashab.
Leviev shared a deeply personal story of the instruction he received from the Rebbe, which continues to guide his life and philanthropic mission. “The Rebbe’s message remains with me to this day,” he said, visibly moved, describing the Rebbe’s directive to expand his efforts in supporting kollelim and never to be satisfied with what had already been accomplished.
The event concluded with joyous singing and dancing by the thousands of participants in honor of the Torah. It was a grand tribute to Torah and its scholars, and a shining moment of pride for the Bukharian community in Eretz Yisroel.
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