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Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore Hosts 61st Anniversary Banquet welcomed all the guests, and thanked those who put forth so much effort to make the evening a success. Rabbi Hillel Tendler, president of the cheder, delivered a “state of the cheder” address, highlighting the continuing cheder’s efforts to meet their budget, keep tuition affordable, and while paying rebbeim, teachers and staff, and meeting other expenses. Rabbi Tendler also paid tribute to a few yechidim who made a tremendous impact in the establishment of the cheder, who were recently niftar. Rebbetzin Rivka Sternhell, a”h, the wife of the cheder’s founder, Harav Yitzchok Sternhell, zt”l, stood by her husband’s side and encouraged his efforts in building a cheder in Baltimore that was fashioned after the chadorim of Europe that were destroyed by the Nazis, ym”sh. Mr. Jacob Boehm, a”h, who was niftar just last week, was one of the founding members of the cheder, and Rabbi Tendler displayed a copy of the original charter of Yeshivas Shearis Hapleita, signed by Mr. Boehm, among others. In a surprise presentation, Rabbi Tendler
called upon Mr. Yaakov Chaikin to accept an award for all of his devoted efforts as a parent volunteer in helping set up a “blended digital program” for the seventh and eighth grade math classes. This experimental program has been a great success, and has increased learning in those classes while saving money for the cheder. To cap off a wonderful evening, an exciting video presentation not only
highlighted the work of the honorees, but also depicted the cheder in action, imbuing the guests with the various maalos of the cheder, including the simchas haTorah of the talmidim, the supportive relationship between the staff members, and the extreme care and concern that the rebbeim, moros, assistants, and English teachers show for the boys.
Rabbi Hillel Tendler, Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, Rabbi Moshe Tesser, Rabbi Yisroel Reznitsky, Rabbi Gershom Flamm, Rabbi Chanan Daniel Skurnik
FEBRUARY 27, 2014
“We are here tonight to celebrate the Torah- those who learn Torah, those who teach Torah, those who support Torah, and those who will support Torah.” These were the words of Rabbi Moshe Tesser, recipient of the Rabbi Yitzchok Sternhell Memorial Award at the 61st Annual Banquet of Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore this past Tuesday evening, February 25. And those words certainly reflected the tone of the evening as over 450 people gathered at Beth Tfiloh Congregation to celebrate being part of a cheder that is uniquely known throughout the country for its high caliber of chinuch, combined with a “geshmak” yet professional atmosphere where warm and dedicated staff members truly care for each talmid. The evening honored several beloved members of the “TI family.” Dr. and Mrs. Yoel Jakobovits, who were honored with the Shearis Hapleita Award as Grandparents of the Year, were recognized for the key role they play in many aspects of the Baltimore community. Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Tesser received the Rabbi Yitzchok Sternhell Memorial Award, in recognition of eighteen years of dedication as a master eighth grade rebbi in the cheder. Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Nechemya Jakobovitz were honored with the Shearis Hapleita Award as Parents of the Year. Reb Nechemya is known as one of the key individuals who keep the cheder’s educational office humming, and Mrs. Jakobovits is a true eishes chayil who is always at Reb Nechemya’s side. The delicious dinner was catered expertly by Mr. Mosi Treuhaft of The Knish Shop, and the hall was beautiful decorated by Ladies Auxiliary parent volunteers, adding a wonderful ambiance to an already beautiful evening. The inspiring program began with an enjoyable choir of fifth grade talmidim, led by the cheder’s very own Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz. Rabbi Boruch Neuberger, master of ceremonies, opened the event,
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