THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
JULY 2, 2015
14
Around the
Community
Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute’s 8th Grade Seudas Preida Parents, grandparents, rebbeim, hanhola and lay leadership gathered together on Wednesday evening, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, to celebrate with the YKY/TI class of 5775 at their Seudas Preida / Farewell Dinner. Rabbi Shimon Hirsch, Sgan Menahel, welcomed the crowd and introduced Rabbi Hillel Tendler, the Cheder’s president, to share divrei bracha and opening remarks. Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, Menahel, then conveyed his
own sentiments and introduced the evening’s guest speaker , Rav Dovid Heber, rav of K’hal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek and the parent of a graduating Eighth Grader. After Rav Heber delivered his inspiring message to the talmidim and expressed hakoras hatov to Cheder, a representative of each class then delivered a Dvar Torah and heartfelt thanks to the families and to the Cheder. After the divrei Torah and warm
wishes, each talmid was called up and received a Dirshu Chamishei Chumshei Torah along with their award certificates. The room was full of excitement and cheering as each talmid proudly walked up as his name was announced. During dessert Rabbi Daniel Skurnik, Director of Development, shared an inspiring story about the impact of each talmid’s learning before he drew the winning ticket for
the $18,000 Chai Raffle. When bensching was concluded talmidim began dancing with their families and rebbeim, celebrating and expressing the simcha of this special occasion. Although they are transitioning to Mesivta, YKY/TI and this special milestone will forever be in the hearts of these talmidim and their parents.
Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr HaTorah celebrates its 2nd Siyum Hashanah Excitement and a feeling of accomplishment filled the air as Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr HaTorah celebrated its Siyum Hashanah on Sunday, June 21. The simcha was palpable as the Hanhala, bochurim, parents and friends gathered to celebrate a year of aliyah and growth for all. Although the Yeshiva is finishing just its second year of existence, the impact it has made on the bochurim and the community is readily felt. Rabbi Yonah Yaakov Lapidus served as MC. He introduced two bochurim, Yoel Wolf and Shimmy Ommatyar, who were being misayem Mesechtos Rosh Hashanah and Gitten respectively. As part of his siyum, Shimmy delivered a powerful dvar Torah to all those assembled about the need to grow incrementally and how the Yeshiva helps each bochur to do so. Following the Siyumim, lively and heartfelt dancing erupted as everyone let their emotions about their own accomplishments surface. The dancing was accompanied by the music of Mr. Mickey Lowenthal. Following the buffet dinner, Rabbi
Lapidus introduced one of the Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum. Rabbi Rosenbaum spoke of the accomplishments of each bochur and presented seforim as a token of thanks to a number of individuals who add a special element to the Yeshiva. These included the older bochurim and Yungerleit who are part of the Bais Medrash, as well as Rabbi Yosef Wagner for his dedicated Halacha shiur each evening. He was followed by Shlomo Chernitzky who spoke on behalf of his fellow bochurim. His words of hakaras hatov to the Hanhala and their families for their supreme dedication were reflective of the feelings each talmid has towards their Rebbeim. Aryeh Vegh closed the speeches with a realistic accounting of the various components of each day and the variety of programs throughout the year. He noted how each part of the schedule comes together and creates a symphonic blend of the ruchniyus and gashmiyus to create the optimum setting for each bochur. With that thought, memories of the year gone by were relived with
a pictorial presentation, arranged by Avramy Pollack. Founded in 2013 by Rabbi Dovid Hoffman and Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum, Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr HaTorah has become synonymous with energized learning, stemming from aspirations to grow in every area of Avodas Hashem. The power of the individual attention given by the Rebbeim to every bochur help them achieve success in all three sedarim each day. The Yeshiva provides for the everyday needs of the bochurim, allowing them to utilize their Bais Medrash years to the fullest. Located right here in Baltimore, the Yeshiva has gained popularity across the United States. Bochurim from New York, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles and other communities have come to find the Yeshiva they can call home. With the guidance of their dedicated Rebbeim and camaraderie amongst the talmidim, the light of Ohr HaTorah is shining brightly in Baltimore and across the country.