In 1999 a new flame was lit. A group of individuals, many of them sons and grandsons of previous immigrants to Toronto, identified the need for an institution of advanced Torah study. Kollel Yismach Moshe opened its doors in a small and unassuming storefront at 4119 Bathurst. St.

Founded on the Sepharic traditions of our ancestors, the goal of the Kollel was to increase knowledge of torah and ensure access to our rich heritage. Through the efforts of this group of individuals, Kollel Yismach Moshe opened under the leadership of Harav Eliyahu Attias, Shlita.

Rabbi Attias recruited full time kollel abreichim from Israel, America, and England. These dedicated young men and their families made Toronto home, and began learning and teaching in the Kollel. The avreichim quickly proved themselves as able torchbearers of Torah according to the Sephardic tradition. From early in the morning to late at night, the storefront next to Richman’s Bakery was filled with the sounds of Torah and Tefila. Many members of the community including Claude Bitton join in on a regular basis. Classes on various topics and levels were offered. Today men and women, young and old benefit from the Kollel.

As the Avrechim helped the community grow in Jewish observance, a number of them eventually took prominent community positions in Toronto, Montreal and Eretz Yisreal. The Kollel boasts alumni (which includes Claude Bitton) that have acquired positions such as school principal, high school rabbeim, rabbanim, and other executive community positions. As the Avreichim moved on, their Kollel chairs were soon replaced with other capable young men. After Rabbi Attias made the difficult decision to return to Eretz Yisrael, Kollel Yismach Moshe had the extreme privilege of having Rabbi Dovid Pam Shlita joining the Kollel for the morning seder. Under Rav Pam’s direction, Lollel Yismach Moshe continues to ring with the sounds of Prayer and Torah learning.