About
Named for a man whose table was always the destination.
Kollel Ner Naftali carries the name of Naftali ben Yehudah Shmuel, A"H. Everything about how the Kollel is built — including the way you can give to it — is modelled on the seven attributes he lived.
Our namesake
Naftali ben Yehudah Shmuel, A"H
ל״נ נפתלי בן יהודה שמואל
Just as the Sukkah provides shelter and comfort from the outside elements, so too does the Torah provide shelter and comfort from the ever growing distractions of the outside world. Kollel Ner Naftali is modeled after the seven guests of the Ushpizin and the attributes they displayed, as exemplified by our namesake.
We strive to infuse these ideals into our lomdim, and to always remember that we all are but guests in this world for a brief time.
The seven attributes
Seven guests. Seven middos. One man who showed what they look like.
Each of the Ushpizin carries an attribute. What follows is how our namesake lived each one — not as an idea, but as something people who knew him watched him do.
Chessed
“Benevolence” or “Love”
R’ Naftali always made each guest feel welcome – home or office. Whether a L’Chaim after shul, a meshulach from a yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel, or a friend who just needed to shmooze, the destination was always the same: R’ Naftali’s table.
Gevurah
“Restraint” and “Discipline”
Although it seemed as though his giving was endless, R’ Naftali knew the importance of distributing what Hashem chose to give him, so that many could benefit. Caution in business decisions allowed him to further his desire to give tzedakah.
Tiferet
“Beauty,” “Harmony” and “Truth”
Performing a mitzvah was never enough without elevating it to its maximum potential. A beautifully hand painted hagaddah was not merely a prized possession; the purchase provided parnassah so that the sofer could provide for his family while continuing to learn in Kollel.
Netzach
“Victory” and “Endurance”
We cannot begin to understand the ways of Hashem. Defying doctors predictions, R’ Naftali was the beneficiary of many refuos, standing as a testament to Hashem’s will. Just as Moshe Rabbeinu found the strength to keep his arms raised so that B’nei Yisroel could be victorious in battle, R’ Naftali continued to endure as a further example of Kiddush Hashem.
Hod
“Splendor” and “Humility”
R’ Naftali was approached many times to accept honor from the many institutions he helped support. Seldom did he accept. On the rare occasion that he did, his speech lasted mere seconds, proving the level of discomfort he had for acknowledgement.
Yesod
“Foundation” and “Connection”
Raised by parents who sacrificed for their children’s Torah observance, R’ Naftali held nothing more dear than the Torah observance of his lineage. He continued to strengthen the foundation built for him, and strengthened that connection to Hashem among his children. Accepting the roles of both Yissachar and Zevullun, R’ Naftali was a shining example of what it means to be Ma’aleh min Hatevah, spending most of his day involved in his many sedarim, while continuing to support the learning of so many others. Indeed, both Yissachar and Zevullun were the foundation for Naftali.
Malchut
“Sovereignty,” “Receptiveness” and “Leadership”
The lessons learned from R’ Naftali are yet to be discovered, but one thing is very clear: quiet leadership can ring loud and true. He set the standard for so many to emulate and the purpose of Kollel Ner Naftali will be to keep that flame burning.
R’ Naftali’s Leadership Circle
Choose your flame.
The Leadership Circle is monthly giving, and its levels carry the same seven names as the attributes above. That is not decoration — picking a level means picking the middah you want your giving to stand for.
Chessed · monthly
$100
Gevurah · monthly
$180
Tiferet · monthly
$250
Netzach · monthly
$360
Hod · monthly
$500
Yesod · monthly
$720
Malchut · monthly
$1,000
Monthly gifts can be made by card or by bank transfer (ACH). A stipend is a monthly obligation, so recurring giving is what lets the Kollel commit to a lomed for a year rather than month to month.
How it is run
One charity, one set of books.
Kollel Ner Naftali is a standalone 501(c)(3) public charity — EIN 81-3000775, recognised by the IRS in 2016 under section 509(a)(2). It is not a fund inside somebody else’s organisation.
It runs its own beis medrash and supports a small number of other programmes whose mission and outlook match its own. Stipends go to lomdim directly. One EIN, one receipting and reporting operation, so the hours go into learning rather than paperwork.
The Kollel is governed by a Board of Directors. Questions of Torah, and of the conduct of the learning, sit with our Rabbinical Committee — Rav Yeruchum Shain and Rav Avi Gefner.
Every gift is acknowledged in writing by email. Card and bank processing is the only cost that touches a donation, and donors can choose to cover it.
The ask
Ignite the future.
The purpose of Kollel Ner Naftali is to keep that flame burning. It burns on next month’s giving.
Kollel Ner Naftali · 208 Downing St, Lakewood, NJ 08701 · EIN 81-3000775