Join Community Kollel dinners

Editor: I feel that I must express my gratitude to the Ohel Ya'akov Community Kollel for holding Shabbat dinners every single Friday. I want to thank Rabbi Shmulik Yeshayahu and his wife, Rivki, for coping with the challenge of never having a quiet Shabbat at home, which is a big sacrifice. For two years, they have opened their hearts and inspired hundreds of people like me who are single, young professionals, unaffiliated, leading busy lives and looking for a home where they can feel at peace, relaxed and spiritually satisfied. The Kollel's Shabbat has become that home for me.

When I see the numbers at Shabbat growing every month from 160 to now more than 350, the concept of Shabbat 200 does not surprise me. To have at least 200 people ages 18-30 at one dinner is not like the splitting of the Red Sea, because I know there are hundreds of people like me in my mid-20s who still have not had the opportunity to experience the unique Kollel Shabbat spirit. I am writing to encourage unaffiliated readers of this letter to come and see that there are hundreds of people in Vancouver just like themselves.

When you walk in the door, a cool rabbi, a cool atmosphere and tables decorated with candlelight will greet you. The food and wine will be delicious and complementary. What more could one ask for? Oh yes, and a hot discussion on intimacy and marriage.

For those of us who were never involved in the Jewish community and lead rather secular lives, the Kollel's weekly dinners have become a G-d send. I have met many wonderful people who have become my friends, have helped newcomers find jobs and have watched people meet and marry after having met their soulmate. On these Shabbats, I see people starting to get interested, and building a circle of friends, in the community. I know I am seeing the beginning of the next generation who will continue the building of Vancouver's Jewish life.

I want to invite readers to Shabbat 200, sponsored by the Kollel and the Vancouver Hillel Foundation, at Leap Studios, 1675 West 2nd Ave., on March 12, 7p.m.

Mike Benny
Vancouver