Crown Heights Kollel Expands to 57 Yungeleit Receiving Monthly Stipends
21 families have stepped forward to sponsor individual yungeleit as Rebbe’s Kolel, expanding from 40 before Pesach to 57 monthly stipends, with plans for continued growth.
by COLlive Reporter · COLliveBy COLlive reporter
Just months after a new framework was launched to stabilize and strengthen the Rebbe’s Kolel in Crown Heights, the initiative has continued expanding and now supports 57 yungeleit with monthly stipends.
Before Pesach, Kolel Menachem, operating under Machne Israel, began distributing monthly stipends to 40 yungeleit as part of a renewed effort to provide consistent financial support and reinforce long-term sustainability.
By Iyar, that number had already increased to 46.
Today, organizers announced that 57 yungeleit are receiving monthly stipends through the kolel, reflecting steady growth under the new structure introduced earlier this year.
An additional 18 yungeleit currently remain on a waiting list, with plans to continue expanding at what organizers describe as a measured and sustainable pace as funding allows.
A notable development has been growing community involvement. According to organizers, 21 members of Anash have committed to “adopt a Kolel yungerman,” agreeing to sponsor a monthly stipend and helping fuel the kolel’s continued expansion.
The renewed framework was launched following a period of financial uncertainty and was advanced by Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, Executive Director of Machne Israel, together with Rabbi Menachem Heller, director of the kolel headed by his father, Rabbi Yosef Heller, the Rosh Kolel.
Founded in 5722 (1962) at the Rebbe’s instruction and operating under the Rebbe’s Mazkirus, Kolel Menachem holds a unique place in Lubavitch history as the first Lubavitch kolel. Over the decades it became a central makom Torah and was closely guided by the Rebbe, who emphasized both the importance of shlichus and the need for yungeleit immersed in full-time Torah study.
Alongside the growth in participation, improvements are also being made to the physical space. Work is currently underway on a new air conditioning system, with additional upgrades planned to improve the learning environment for the yungeleit.
Organizers say they remain focused on building a stable foundation that will allow more yungeleit to join while ensuring stipends continue to be distributed reliably and on time.
To learn more about the initiative and support the kolel, visit KolelMenachem.org.
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