Founding the yeshiva in Kazakhstan’s city of Almaty was the realization of a long held dream. The yeshiva is located adjacent to the tomb of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, the father of the Rebbe. The shluchim in Kazakhstan arranged to open the new branch of the yeshiva on the night of 20th Marcheshvan, which is the birthday of the Rebbe Rashab, original founder of Tomchei Tmimim.
The Rosh Yeshiva is Rabbi Mordechai Cohen, an experienced educator who recently became a shliach in Kazakhstan. Dovber Balashnikov is the mashpia (spiritual mentor) of the yeshiva.
One of the first activities at the yeshiva was a farbrengen, and the first core group of students began their course of studies on the following morning.
The shluchim spoke about the merits of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, the concept of the soldiers of the House of David going off to war, and the general concept of humility of a Tomim (a student at the yeshiva). Rabbi Yeshayah Elazar Cohen stated that we can now fulfill the Rebbe’s directive to visit Yeshiva here in Almaty, and today we can freely observe our faith in the land where Rabbi Levi Yitzchok was once exiled because he had studied Torah and kept the mitzvos. Mashpia Dovber Balashnikov, who also celebrated his twentieth birthday on this day, repeated a Chassidic discourse.
Rabbi Elchonon Cohen said that opening the yeshiva was a very moving event, and plans are in the pipeline to open a dormitory facility to cater to students who would be coming from further afield.
