The publication of every volume in the Schottenstein Edition Yerushalmi is a cause for celebration, but next week�s release of Yerushalmi Chagigah is particularly special, as it marks the triumphant conclusion of a campaign by the Baltimore Jewish community to dedicate a volume in the Yerushalmi.

The project began two months ago, when a group of Baltimore�s lay leaders proposed a daring and exciting new idea � to raise the $100,000 needed to dedicate a volume in ArtScroll�s Yerushalmi series through a crowdfunding initiative that would include the entire Baltimore Jewish community. And Baltimore did it!

In a wonderful show of unity, rabbanim, businesspeople, professionals, retirees, and many shuls joined together to dedicate the Baltimore Community Edition of Yerushalmi Chagigah. With donations ranging from $10.00 to $18,000.00, it was truly a project that everyone could be a part of.

Appropriately, Baltimore�s Yerushalmi Chagigah has been published in memory of Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz z�l, the Torah publishing pioneer who founded and was the driving force behind ArtScroll�s many accomplishments. As noted author, speaker, and Baltimore resident Rabbi Yissocher Frand declared during the campaign, �My dear friend, Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz z�l, always felt that the Schottenstein Yerushalmi project was the crown jewel of ArtScroll. It is opening a portion of Torah that was closed to all but the greatest scholars for thousands of years.�

A crown jewel indeed. Each volume of the Yerushalmi is the product of the efforts of over 100 talmidei chachamim � ArtScroll�s legendary �Kollel without walls� � and it has unlocked for Klal Yisrael countless treasures of Torah understanding that were once only available to a fortunate few.

The Baltimore initiative has clearly proved that through united action everyone can have a part in the merit of important Torah projects. Give your community the opportunity to put itself on the map of Torah study and dedicate a major work, please contact Rabbi Naftali Miller at [email protected].