Community Kollel, Chile
Rabbi Matias Libedinsky and his family arrived in Chile in 2006 to start a Morasha Kollel. Due to the far-sighted vision, the professional approach and the hard work of all the avrechim, the kollel has succeeded in transforming the lives of the young university age students in Chile, allowing them to be part of a vibrant, steadily growing movement. About 25% of the 1,500 university-aged (19 to 25 year old) Jewish students in Chile have participated in the 4-hour or 10-hour per week learning program, transforming this into a very beautiful revolution.
The kollel organized exciting trips to Israel, with 120 students participating in the kiruv trips and 100 going to Yeshiva or Midrasha for at least a month. In 2009, Prof. Robert Aumann, Nobel Laureate in Economy was brought out to Chile and Argentina where he made a huge impact in the general Jewish population. As an offshoot of this visit, contact was established with the University of Chile, one of the best universities in the country, and as a result, the kollel’s shiurim are now recognized as being suitable for the university’s program. Rabbi Libedinsky has been teaching a great deal about Torah, science, evolution and the theory of the Big-Bang and he has completed writing a book on this subject called, “El Gran Diseño y Dios.” The English translation of this book is currently underway, and it will be distributed by Feldheim.
Due to the hard work of the kollel avreichim, young people in Chile are beginning to live a happy, energetic and deeply fulfilling authentic Judaism. Many couples have met in its programs, and Rabbi Libedinsky has been the mesader kiddushin at many religious weddings, all talmidim of the kollel. The Libedinskys were very excited and energized by the work done in Chile, and hope that Hash-m will continue blessing this progress so that the Chile kollel becomes a powerful center of Judaism, which will inspire other people to continue this trend.
Seven months ago Rabbi Libedinsky was hired by the Torat Chaim shul, whose mission is to strengthen the more charedi sector of the population in Chile. Rabbi Libedinsky saw this move as a contributing factor to maintaining a strong kiruv component in the area. Mekarvim and baalei batim involved in Kiruv also need a protected environment where they can go and “recharge batteries” in order to maintain the inspiration that enables them to transmit that Ahavas HaTorah to others. They also have a Kollel where up to 10 avrechim and baalei batim participate daily, and these numbers are on the incline. They are developing a strong program of limud for the children. This program is held on Sunday mornings and during the some afternoons during the week. They have made syiumim in Mishnaiot and in perakim of the Talmud with the children (whose ages range from 6 to 12 years old). They also have a strong program of learning in the afternoon, with an average of 20 to 35 people each day in different learning groups and levels.