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JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Ateres Yaakov Grand Siyum – Celebrating 100 Siyumim!
L
ast Thursday evening, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov celebrated its annual Grand Siyum, recognizing 75 talmidim who completed 99 masechtos of Shas, or sedarim of Mishnayos, over the course of the school year. The Menahel, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, was mishtatef with his talmidim by being masayem Masechtas Gittin, bringing the grand total of siyumim to 100. Over 150 parents, grandparents and relatives were invited to celebrate this achievement together with the masaymim and their Rabbeim. Upon arrival, a digital journal with messages from parents and Raebbeim to the masaymim was displayed and included pictures of the masaymim learning throughout the year. After a beautiful buffet, Rabbi Yaffe opened the evening commenting on the tremendous pride the Mesivta has in these talmidim. Listing each boy and “his masechtos” by name, he added that the Torah that the talmidim in the Mesivta learn is Toras emes and Toras chaim. Unlike any other discipline, it inculcates a way of life. Rabbi Yaffe then introduced Yaakov Eckhaus, a senior who completed Masechtas Baba Metziah, the yeshiva’s masechta this year and Makos (on his spare time and over Shabbosim) who led the 75 masaymim in the Hadran – a huge communal ac-
complishment! The yeshiva rewarded each and every mesayem with a gift. Particularly noteworthy were the talmidim who completed the Yeshiva’s masechta, Rabbi Orlansky’s 12th grade shiur who participated in the popular V’ha’arev Nah program and completed Masechtas Ta’anis, and 10th grader Daniel Trapunsky who completed Baba Metziah, Baba Kama, Beitzah, Sukkah and Makos! The guest speaker for the event was Rabbi Elysha Sandler, a MAY senior Rebbe, and also Rav of Kehillas Bais Yisroel in Far Rockaway, who will be assuming the position of Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Sh’or
Yoshuv next year. Rabbi Sandler spoke about the constant dedication, commitment and diligence necessary to be mesayem a masechta, complimenting the talmidim and noting their respect for chashivus haTorah. The Mesivta thanks Assistant Menahel Rabbi Yossi Bennett for organizing the event. Rabbi Bennett commented, “We are so impressed and inspired by the amount of learning accomplished this z’man. In preparation for kabbalas HaTorah, we were so fortunate to be able to celebrate this achievement with our talmidim and their families.” The evening closed with leibidik
dancing in joyous celebration of Torah.
Shevach Students Create a Kiddush Hashem at Niagara Falls
D
uring the first week of June, the senior class of Shevach High School had a memorable graduation trip to Niagara Falls. True, they had a wonderful time at all the sights they visited. True, they were inspired by the majestic beauty of all they viewed. True, they gained chizuk from the local rav’s words. However, in this writer’s opinion, the most memorable moment was hearing the reaction of a worker on the Maid of the Mist boatride, upon seeing and hearing the comportment of the Shevach students. “I’ve seen many school groups on this boat. You should be proud of your girls. Now I see that there is hope for the next generation.” What a kiddush
Hashem! This special trip was organized by 12th grade mechaneches Mrs. Cypora Kleinkaufman, together with the class presidents, Aleeza Arieh, Hila Arshadnia, Shani Hertzberg and Breindy Oppenheimer. It was chaperoned by Shevach staff members Mrs. Chaya Swerdloff and Ms. Sara Nasirov. Every detail was thought of and provided for, from a set of Tehillim Mechulok to add meaning to the bus ride, to delicious midnight snacks. Yocheved Wagner, a Shevach senior, shared with us the highlights of their trip. “On Tuesday, the first day of the trip, we settled into the hotel and then went on a night tour of the
American Niagara Falls. The beauty of the Falls filled us with the feeling of “mah rabu maasecha Hashem.” In a quiet area near the Falls, we ended the evening with a heartfelt kumzitz. “On Wednesday, we crossed the border into Canada, and enjoyed Canada’s wonderland. We watched the stunning Canadian Falls, and then went on to the Chabad House in Niagara, where we were treated to a barbeque supper and a question-and-answer session with the rabbi. To end the fun-filled day, we bought souvenirs and watched the night-time fireworks over the Falls. “On Thursday we were able to get closer to the Falls. On the Maid of the Mist we enjoyed the feel of the mist
and the wind of the falling water. In the Cave of the Winds, we stood under the Falls and felt the strength of the water. The climax was the Whirlpool Jet, a fast boat which rode the rapids of the Niagara River in a thrilling and wet ride! We then boarded the bus to head back to Shevach, truly inspired by the niflaos haborei.” This was truly a trip to remember. The Shevach staff, and the Queens Community at large, can well be proud of their product. We wish the Shevach students hatzlacha as they near graduation, and are confident that they will continue to be mekadeish sheim Shamayim with their every action.