Prominent Satmar philanthropist Mr. Yoeli Landau met with the Gerrer Rebbe on Tuesday and unveiled plans to establish a $1 million legal defense fund to assist bnei yeshiva facing Israel’s military draft decree, arrests, and related sanctions. During the meeting, Landau also announced that he will donate two new simcha halls for Gerrer chassidim in Yerushalayim and Arad.

Landau, widely known for his extensive support of Torah institutions around the world, entered the Gerrer Rebbe’s residence together with Rav Yechiel Chaim Lieberman, Av Beis Din of Or Chaim and Rosh Yeshiva of Machnovka Belz.

During the meeting, Landau presented a comprehensive initiative to establish a legal assistance fund dedicated to coordinating the fight against the sanctions and arrests targeting bnei yeshiva and to wage the broader legal battle against the draft decree, including pursuing avenues through international legal channels.

Under the proposed program, every ben yeshiva who requires legal representation in connection with the draft issue would receive assistance through the fund. Landau pledged that he and several associates would contribute $1 million to launch the initiative.

In addition, at the initiative of Rav Nechemiah Alter, who also participated in the meeting, Landau announced that he will finance the construction of two simcha halls for members of the Gerrer community who conduct their family celebrations in accordance with the takonos of the chassidus. One hall will be built in Yerushalayim, while the second will be established in Arad.