Our Mission
About Us
Hatzolas Yisroel, established in 1991, was founded with the mission to bring Yiddishkeit to immigrant families from behind the Iron Curtain, providing them with Torah classes at their level, and giving them access to information they were sorely lacking.
Led by Rabbi Avraham Reich, a well-known Torah scholar, author of several Halachic volumes, and a warm, understanding person, they soon formed a kehillah that they felt comfortable in.
This Kehillah provided the families with a synagogue, a proper mikvah for men and women, Jewish education for the children, and essential Jewish financial and educational resources, bringing them closer to their Father in Heaven.
Over the years, our community has grown to a nucleus of over 500 families, and many of the children have gone on to marry and establish proud Jewish homes.
Some of the services Hatzolas Yisroel has provided:
- Educating immigrants about missionary tactics
- Social services
- Job placement
- Distribution of religious articles: Tefillin, Mezuzos, Tzitzis, etc.
- Help in preparing a kosher kitchen
- Bris Milah - Bar Mitzvas - Weddings
- Individual tutoring on religious and secular subjects
- Community-wide lectures
- Kosher meat stores at discounted prices for low-income families
- Educating children and their parents
- Passover Sedorim conducted on a large scale for many hundreds of families
- Mainstreaming Russian children into regular Yeshivos & Bais Yaakovs
and so much more...
Hatzolas Yisroel is expanding…
Over the years Rabbi Reich has received many requests from around the world. But one of the most compelling occured several years ago, when he was approached by some Jewish families hailing from Colombia in South America. A great many of these families are converts (Geirim), who while sincere in their love of Judaism, thirst for spiritual guidance, education, and these families young and old need our support. They attend synagogue, keep the Jewish dietary laws, and study the Torah. Not too long ago, community members did not understand themselves to be Jewish—but since then, many have rediscovered the Jewish roots and hidden traditions that their grandparents had camouflaged, fearing persecution, and embarked on a journey back to Judaism. (As a result, some of these community members have difficulty being recognized as Jews, as their conversion, while sincere, is sometimes Halachically problematic and needs to be dealt with). Although the Jewish community in several cities in Colombia has grown, and includes over 5,000 Jewish families, many of these are in the capital, Bogota. The need is great and we’ve been asked to help.
Our Vision
Hatzolas Yisroel Colombia’s vision: To build a new community center and educational facility, a place where Jewish children can learn, grow, and become leaders in their communities. Hatzolas Yisroel has purchased a building that will make this possible. This building will house a synagogue, separate state-of-the-art classrooms for both boys and girls, a dedicated space for adult Jewish education, and mikvaos. We recognize the importance of providing a physical space where Jewish traditions can flourish, ensuring that no family is left behind due to the lack of resources. Through this new building, we aim to inspire every individual to embrace their Jewish identity and live a life of Torah and mitzvot.
How You Can Help
We invite you to join us in this important and life-changing project. Your generous contributions will directly fund the construction of the new building, allowing us to continue our vital work in the community. Together, we can ensure that Jewish life in Colombia remains vibrant and secure, and that Jewish children grow up with a deep connection to their heritage and values. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to sharing the progress of this exciting endeavor with you.
