Thirty years since the founding of the institution, hundreds of friends, supporters, and alumni attended the inauguration celebration of the new building at the entrance to the city, overlooking Jerusalem. Philanthropists, community leaders, and Shluchim praised the Torah center that strengthens Torah and Mitzvos among young people from the United States and around the world.

In an emotional gathering held this week on erev Yud Tes Kislev, the Mayanot institution celebrated the dedication of it’s new and magnificent center, built opposite Sacher Park at the entrance to Yerushalayim. After many years of effort, planning, and deep partnership with philanthropists and supporters of Torah, the founders and directors of the institution reached the special moment of inaugurating the building. The campus includes a large and spacious Beis Medrash, classrooms, an elegant dining hall, guest rooms and a comfortable dormitory, as well as an event hall overlooking the panoramic view of the Holy City.

Over the years, Mayanot has become a well-known and popular address for young people and students from the United States and other countries seeking to strengthen their connection to Yiddishkeit and gain the skills needed to build a home on the foundations of Torah and mitzvos, through a period of study at the Mayanot yeshiva. Alumni repeatedly testify to the profound transformation that took place during their time at the Yeshiva. Some arrived not knowing even Alef-Beis, later to become Rabbis, Shluchim, and community leaders.

Throughout the past three decades, Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner and Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov have jointly led Mayanot with a unique and close partnership. Both work with dedication to deepen the learning and the inner connection of the students to Torah and Chassidus, and to build a strong and committed Jewish identity.

The event opened with a reception in the yeshiva courtyard, attended by friends of the institution, alumni, supporters, and public figures. The production of the event was led by Rabbi Moshe Silver, CEO of Mayanot USA, together with Fleishman-Peles Productions, and the exquisite and delicious meal was prepared by the yeshiva’s private chef, Shimon Roter. The ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication was then held with the participation of the philanthropists Igor Tulchinsky, founder and CEO of WorldQuant, and the esteemed patron Yitzchak Mirilashvili. They were joined by the mashpia Rabbi Zalman Gopin, Connecticut’s head Shliach Rabbi Yisrael Deren, and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Deren.

As the crowd entered the new building, the distinguished patron Rabbi Dovid Fischer, together with his family members, inaugurated the large zal where daily study sessions, classes, and farbrengens will now take place. The public then gathered for Mincha in the new building.

The beautiful dormitory was dedicated by the benefactor Dr. Stephen Joel Weiss, who took his first steps toward Jewish observance through the adult-learning program at the yeshiva, and who chose to give back to the place where he drew close to Torah and mitzvos.

Later, participants ascended to the rooftop of the new building, where a beautifully arranged dinner awaited them. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov opened with words of thanks to all the donors and partners who helped establish the center, noting that for the institution’s leadership, this is only the beginning. He emphasized that the new center is already filled to capacity, and that demand for study at Mayanot is continually growing, and that the administration is already thinking about further expansion and the purchase of the adjacent building.

Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner spoke about the significance of a center of Torah and Chassidus operating at the entrance to Jerusalem, illuminating the entire city with the light of Torah. “A place where young people from around the world learn, grow, and deepen their identity becomes a source of spiritual influence for all of Jerusalem and for many communities across the world,” he said.

During the ceremony, Rabbi Dovid Fischer recited the Rebbe’s Kapitel.

Philanthropist Igor Tulchinsky then addressed the audience, speaking about the special significance of inaugurating the center on 19 Kislev, the Festival of Redemption and the New Year of Chassidus. He pledged to continue supporting the spread of Torah and Chassidus through the institution’s activities, and stressed the responsibility of the present generation to build the next generation of rooted and connected Jewish leadership.

Patron Yitzchak Mirilashvili also spoke, sharing the importance of investing in the younger generation and strengthening Jewish identity, specifically in an era filled with spiritual challenges. He encouraged those present to continue standing by Mayanot and to be full partners in shaping the spiritual growth of the students.

Benefactor Rabbi Yaakov Cohen spoke of his period of study at the yeshiva, his journey of coming closer to Torah and Chassidus, and the profound impact it had on his personal and family life. He called on all participants not only to support the yeshiva, but also to consider coming themselves—or sending family members and friends—to study within the Mayanot framework.

Among the attendees were Kyiv’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Azman, Tel Aviv’s head Shliach Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gerlitzky, Rabbi Moshe Shilat, executives from “Taglit-Birthright,” Masa Israel CEO Mr. Meir Holtz, and many longstanding and new friends of the institution, all of whom expressed appreciation for Mayanot’s work and its impact on the younger generation.

A total of approximately three hundred people participated in the event — some of whom have accompanied the yeshiva for many years, and others who were exposed for the first time to the institution’s broad activities and its influence on the identity of hundreds and thousands of young Jews from around the world.

The evening concluded with a sense of joy and uplifted spirit. Participants left the new center with renewed commitments to continue assisting the institution, to expand the study of Torah and Chassidus, and to take part in spreading the wellsprings outward — from the new building overlooking the Holy City to every corner of the world.