It would be hard to locate a time in the long history of the Jewish people comparable to the religious renaissance that became known as the Kiruv movement. 

Shlomo HaMelech wrote, “Ein Kol Chadash Tachas HaShemesh”… Nothing is completely new under the sun.  The revolution that occurred after Israel’s Six-Day War came close.  The scale of the demand from young Jews for reconnection to their Heritage, History and Halachah was unique.

I taught and recruited for Ohr Somayach and Neve Yerushalayim in the Eighties and sent many young men and women to both institutions. Others travelled to Aish HaTorah, Dvar Yerushalaim and other places. The demand was huge and the satisfaction for us, helping reconnect Jews with their religion, was humbling.

I think I knew and know still, most of the Rabbonim and Rebbetzins who were part of the journey of so many. Like me, I am sure they felt confident that they were pointing excited and passionate young Jews to a destination that would provide everything they could possibly need. These allow them after they left, to keep growing and keep their passion burning stronger and fiercer.     

The very uniqueness of the Kiruv phenomenon meant that rosy prognosis was often misplaced. For many, what came next prove more complicated and challenging than I or others imagined. 

Not all established FFB communities were as enthusiastic about welcoming Baalie Teshuva as we thought they would be.  Not all established, FFB schools and Yeshivas wanted their children. They themselves sometimes struggled to find a place and role in their new Kehillas. Many found it hard to locate Rabbonim and Rebbetzins who “got” them and understood their situation and struggles.

Some BTs the fire that first burned in their hearts in the Shiurim where they discovered the excitement and brilliance of the Torah, now reduced to smoldering embers instead.  For a few, the flame that burst into life, died quickly. More though, witnessed it reduced to a gently flickering flame, where it was once a roaring fire.  

And so we created the Ner Tamid Initiative to help. 

We want to support those who want to reignite the feelings they had not too long ago about their place in Torah and the Torah’s place in them. We have recruited some of the most significant names in the Kiruv world, Men and Women from across Kiruv’s decades, from the 70’s to today. We have enlisted Rabbonim and Rebbetzins from across the Jewish world from L.A. to Jo-Burg. They may have been part of your journey when it started. They want to stand with you and be part of it again.

Rabbi YY Rubinstein