Colel Chabad has opened 60 new locations of their Kollel Tifferet Levi Yitzchak program for the elderly and retired population of Israel since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, according to a press release from Colel Chabad. This is in addition to 100 pre-existing locations in Israel and hundreds more globally.
The purpose of these centers is to foster life-enriching services for senior citizens. Such programming includes Torah classes, healthy meals, activities, and opportunities to socialize.
The elderly are a sector of society that often faces loneliness, particularly after retirement. After the October 7 attacks, many felt inspired to combat that, reconnecting to their religious identities. Kollel Tifferet Levi Yitzchak program provides them with an opportunity to do just that.
Helping heal elderly sufferers of trauma
C, a man whose hometown, Ofakim, was targeted by terrorists during the attacks, started participating in the program after surviving October 7. Explaining the impact of attending the program, he said that "Tifferet Levi Yitzchak returns the light to our lives and gives us a chance to breathe freely again, to truly live and smile.”
Director of Colel Chabad, Rabbi Shalom Duchman, explained the origin of the center, "The Lubavitcher Rebbe conceived of this global idea in memory of his father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, 45 years ago because he recognized that the elderly have so much to contribute to society.”
Philanthropist Lev Leviev, who largely funds The Colel Chabad, was celebrated this week at an event held at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center- Binyanei Hauma. Leviev’s contributions “give us the chance to even momentarily be distracted from the horrific traumas we were forced to experience and find comfort in community,” according to C.