Possible Bilvavi Visit: Seeking Local Contacts in North American Cities

I have been asked by a reader to post the following request that he sent me about this great potential opportunity he is working on:

As many of you out there may know, Rav Itamar Shwartz, the author of the Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh seforim, visited the northeastern United States in August (New York, Lakewood and Baltimore). The trip was very successful and there was amazing feedback from the communities, kollelim, and yeshivos where he spoke. I believe that his teachings are helping start a new chapter in the Jewish people's unity and relationship with Hashem. From Chassidisher kollelim, to Litvisheh yeshivos and kollelim, and from Yeshiva University to Chareidi Sefardi Shuls, yeshivos and kollelim, he made a major impact on everyone, with a message for each person according to his nature.

Several people are assessing the feasibility of bringing Rav Shwartz for another visit to North America sometime this winter. However, this time the trip would not be limited to locations around New York. He would be available to visit cities across the U.S. and Canada. But since the Rav only speaks Hebrew (albeit an easy Hebrew), that means that only cities with a Hebrew speaking frum community or an Israeli/Sefardi community would be fitting venues. Also, even among frum communities, there are many places where people are not familiar with his seforim and therefore, there would not be much interest in those places for the Rav Shwartz's message.

Here's the bottom line; I need to speak to people in cities in the United States and Canada who are familiar with both their community and with the Bilvavi seforim. I need to talk to you about whether or not your community would be a good place for Rav Shwartz to speak at your yeshiva, kollel, or general community. So please, if you appreciate the Bilvavi seforim and Rav Shwartz's teachings, please e-mail "Dixie Yid" at dixieyid(at)gmail.com and either give him your number so that I can call you or ask him for my number so you can call me to talk about this.

There will be no fee for his drashos except for the travel costs. However, donations are always welcome, to help publish the seforim, at the following address: "Yad LeAzor", C/O Mr. Chaim Rubin, Weiss & Co. CPAs, 22 West 38th Street - 12th floor, NY NY 10018 - You must write on the check memo "For Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh."

Tizku l'mitzvos and may our efforts at facilitating Rav Shwartz's possible visit to North America this winter be fruitful!

-Dixie Yid

(Picture of North America courtesy of Franklin.ma.us)

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