Kehilas Zichron Yosef, under the guidance of Rav Label Katz, shlita, is fortunate in having two extraordinary representatives of “oskim b’tzorchei tzibbur,” Mr. Shmuel Gross, gabbai rishon, and Mr. Yehudah ‘Yudi’ Bash, gabbai sheini. Both have dedicated themselves to serving the tzibbur at Congregation Zichron Yosef since its very inception, 25 years ago. Their efforts have been symbolic of their great ahavas Yisrael. Both are known for their warm, friendly personalities. Whether greeting old members, new members, or Shabbos guests, they do so with a broad smile and words that make the individual feel as if they have been friends for years.
Rav Label Katz and the entire congregation are proud to have such sterling individuals as gabo’im, as members, and most importantly as chaverim. Their being honored at the 25th annual melaveh malkah is an expression of appreciation for all they have done, and continue to do for the shul.
Congregation Zichron Yosef, popularly known as the Torah Vodaath minyan, was the first young singles yeshiva minyan in Boro Park. Under the guidance of Rav Katz, it began daf yomi shiurim over 40 years ago, long before attending the daf shiur became popular. Rav Katz is well known, not just throughout the New York area, but literally around the world, as a posek and a ba’al eitzah. Unquestionably, the dedication of Mr. Gross and Mr. Bash to the tzibbur is, in part, inspired by the rav, who is a living example of someone giving fully of himself to the k’lal. His chasan shiur has stretched over 40 years, and many who attended it long ago still call upon him for halachic issues and general advice.
The rav has shimush from many gedolim, including his rosh yeshivah, Rav Yaakov, zt’l. The rav also had shimush by the Debritziner Rav, zt’l, and had close association with Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, and Rav Moshe Bick, zt’l. It is from these towering giants of Torah v’avodah that he learned not just halachah and psak, but also that a rav’s efforts on behalf of K’lal Yisrael is without time or physical boundaries.
There are literally thousands of b’nei Torah in the New York area who learned with the rav and/or received guidance al pi daas Torah in so many facets of their lives. His shul, Congregation Zichron Yosef, was forced from its location of over 25 years, thereby putting special financial pressure, which is straining the shul beyond its financial capabilities.
It is asked that in honor of Mr. Shmuel Gross and Mr. Yudi Bash, and in appreciation for all that Rav Label Katz has done for each individual and for K’lal Yisrael, that special effort is made to show support and appreciation—true hakaras ha’tov—by attending the melaveh malkah.
The melaveh malkah will take place Motzaei Shabbos Parashas B’Shallach, at 8:30 p.m., at the Tenker Hall.