In response to the unique challenges faced by bnei Torah arriving from abroad, Gedolei Yisroel have released a special letter of chizuk directed to yeshiva bochurim from France. The letter was issued by the leader of the Olam HaTorah, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, together with Rav Dovid Cohen, calling on French bochurim to unite under a new initiative of Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos designed to ease their integration into yeshiva life.

The letter publicly endorses the establishment of a dedicated spiritual support framework for bochurim from France, marking the first time that Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos has expanded its activities beyond Israel’s borders into the international arena.

In their message, the roshei yeshiva address the adjustment difficulties commonly experienced by overseas students in Israeli yeshivos, defining the new initiative as a vital necessity for their success in Torah learning. “Having merited that Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos in Eretz Hakodesh, which performs great and wondrous work for bnei Torah here, is now expanding its activity to bnei Torah living abroad, to strengthen and fortify them in all places of Torah,” the letter states.

The roshei yeshiva further describe the structure of the program, noting the collaboration with Ashreinu, led by Rav Yehuda Tolledano. “Under the framework of the Ichud, the precious bnei Torah from France have now joined, and we have merited that the rosh yeshiva, the great gaon Rav Yehuda Tolledano, invests much of his strength to sustain, strengthen, and encourage the activity, and to guide it along the proper path,” they wrote.

At the heart of the letter is an emphasis on individualized guidance. The roshei yeshiva stress the importance of personal accompaniment in order “to strengthen and fortify them, to ease the challenges of absorption into yeshiva life, and to reinforce them through organized vaadim led by marbitzei Torah.”

Concluding the letter, Gedolei Yisroel express hope that the initiative will expand to additional overseas communities and urge bochurim to join the effort. “With siyata diShmaya, additional communities from countries around the world whose sons are learning in the yeshivos of Eretz Hakodesh will join, and soon they too will unite under the Ichud—to increase Torah and glorify it.”

The new program will focus on two primary tracks: ongoing guidance for French yeshiva students both during the academic year in Israel and while they are at home in France, as well as targeted support for bochurim who have recently made aliyah from France with their families and require assistance with absorption, mentorship, and programming tailored to their unique background and mentality.

In preparation for the launch, leaders of the Ichud from France, together with Ashreinu, held a series of meetings at the homes of the organization’s presidents, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dovid Cohen, who also serves as president of Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos for French students and has been closely involved in the initiative since its inception.