JK Semicha Journal 2018

16T H C H A N U K A H

Chag HaSemicha ‫נר א‘ לחנוכה‬ ‫תשע“ט‬

THIS JOURNAL IS DEDICATED IN THE MERIT OF THE VERY SPECIAL

JK NE SHEI None of us would be here without you. We are all appreciative of your dedication and support throughout our experiences here in the Jerusalem Kollel.

Without your support it’s clear none of this would be possible.

‫מזל טוב לכל המוסמכים שלנו‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫יהודה זאב אבנסון‬

‫דניאל גרין‬

‫שלמה חיים פלאצקער‬

‫עזרא באלזאם‬

‫אליעזר דוב גרינהוט‬

‫אהרן פוזן‬

‫חיים הכהן סומער‬

‫יששכר בנג'יו‬

‫רפאל ליב הירש‬

‫אהרן רקח‬

‫יואל שטיינבערג‬

‫שמואל באללאג‬

‫משה מתתיהו הכהן קפלן‬

‫משה מנחם ריסנר‬

‫אברהם משה שטרנבוך‬

‫שלמה ברוקירער‬

‫יהושע ברוך הכהן קענט‬

‫דוד יהודה רימער‬

‫ישעיהו סויאטיצקי‬

‫יהונתן מלך דניץ‬

‫ארי'ה ליב קרביץ‬

‫שמואל אברהם רוזנשטיין‬

‫ישראל דוב טייטעלבוים‬

‫יוסף דיוואר‬

‫יאיר קוגל‬

‫מאיר רוטנברג‬

‫יהודה זאב טנדלר‬

‫מנחם מאיר פלד‬

‫שמואל דוד לנדאו‬

‫יעקב דוד רובין‬

‫נתן נטע וויגינס‬

‫רפאל ברוך פיסגוס‬

‫מנחם מענדל לייטמאן‬

‫רפאל צבי סנדלר‬

‫שימשון וויליק‬

‫בנימין גייצהאלס‬

‫חיים לייזארעק‬

‫דוד אריא‪-‬ל שר‬

‫יעקב צבי וואלף‬

‫ישראל זאב גבירץ‬

‫משה ניהאוס‬

‫מרדכי הלוי סיגלער‬

‫שמואל וולפסון‬

‫כתריאל גווירצמאן‬

‫אברהם חיים פרנס‬

‫דוד סקיידל‬

‫‪C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779‬‬

A Message from

R A B B I B E R KOV I T S , ROSH KO L L E L Chanukah celebrates the dedication of the Beis Hamikdash after its defilement by the Syrian Hellenist forces. Chanukah is Chinuch, a new beginning, a new hope for a brighter future.

The fact that we celebrate Chanukah every Kislev, and celebrate it with the same mitzvos, customs and food should not detract from the newness of each Chanukah. Chanukah and staleness are mutually exclusive.

Similarly, it has become something of a tradition that we at the Jerusalem Kollel celebrate our annual Chag HaSemicha on Chanukah. This too should never be allowed to become a matter of habit.

Every group is comprised of individuals each of whom is a world unto himself, and every milestone in Torah is novel.

The Kollel has earned its reputation for kindling the flames of idealism and the development of the individual strengths of each student in an atmosphere of warmth and simcha.

No one is just another number for statistics, every student on Olam Maleh.

I wish to take this opportunity to firstly thank The Creator who has led me along this path and provided me with colleagues and students of the highest caliber, and supporters who believe in what we stand for.

I also wish to express my appreciation to so many who have helped the Jerusalem Kollel earn its reputation for producing some of the finest rabonim, educators, and entrepreneurs in the field of Jewish Outreach. This could not have been achieved without the endless dedication of our legendary CEO Rabi Blackman, our resource director Rabbi Boretsky, the Roshei Chaburah within the Kollel and the Kollel members over the years, each of whom has proven to be outstanding in his unique way. The quality and commitment of the wives and of the director of the women’s program, Mrs. Kalsmith, have played a crucial role in our ability to insist on the maintenance of high standards of diligence and scholarship among our Kollel members, and has been the key to our success in placing couples as a team around the globe.

To our supporters and all those who have assisted in our fundraising efforts, I hope and pray that the Kollel will continue to make good on your investment in us, and help hasten the day when the light of Torah will burn bright in every Jewish home.

R A B B I Y A A KO V B L A C K M A N DIRECTOR OF THE JERUSALEM KOLLEL

The story is told in the name of Reb Itzele Volozhiner that on the day the cornerstone was laid for the Volozhin Yeshiva, his father cried until there was no need to add any water to his tears in order to mix the cement. With this tradition, we approach this event with a powerful sense of yireh and aimah. However, this is no contradiction to the tremendous simcha and nachas we simultaneously feel toward our past alumni and present members. What started as a small group of idealistic avreichim in an unnamed Kolled, the Jerusalem Kollel has blossomed and matured into the full-fledged powerhouse it is today. The Talmidim never cease to amaze with their dedication and creativity while in the Kollel and out in the field. Taking positions of leadership in the full spectrum of Jewish Communities worldwide, often where they are the sole representatives of Torah education and values, their commitment to bringing the light of Torah to each and every home and heart is unmatched. May the Ribono Shel Olam continue to guide us toward many, many more years of brocha and hotzlocha in the service of Klal Yisroel.

RABBI JOSH BORETZKY DIRECTOR OF THE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Approximately 15 years ago I took on to “help” the Jerusalem Kollel and try to raise some money. There were 15 guys in the program at the time. Well, B”H, I am still “helping” and it has been a good run. I feel privileged to have this position.

What a joy and what a zechus!

Thank you Rabbi Berkovits for the opportunity.

Thank you Rabbi Blackman for your support, your belief in me, and for the daily entertainment!

I shep nachas from all of our talmidim and alumni.

And wish all our smicha recipients a heartfelt Mazal Tov! C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

7

SPINNING FOR A GIMMEL

T

by Rabbi Samuel Rosenstein

served more as actors in the background than cenhe Jewish nation has a beautiful and tral characters. Not Chanukah. The Chashmonayim unique custom that takes place during fought long and hard to defeat the Greeks. The JewChanukah- dreidel. Each side of the spinning top ish nation experienced a moment where everything has a different result. Gimmel- take everything, worked out- they spun a gimmel. Ostensibly, the shin- return one to the top, nun- nothing happens, Jewish army executed a great military upset; the war hay- take half. We are unable to will the outcome, rather we are subject to the result of the device itself. could be explained based on military acumen alone.

It’s at this moment that the recalibration took place.

Similarly, we are unable to will the dreidel of life. We This concept is expressed within the language of don’t control where each day’s the driedel will land.

Al hanisim. One of the phrases instituted by Chazal There are gimmel days, and there are shin days. Our in this prayer reads ‘and the mighty were delivjob is to recognize what Hashem wants from us in ered into the hands of the weak’. This is a puzzling each situation. The dreidel of life provides an illusentence, as Josephus described that sion of chance. In reality, however, the Jewish warriors possessed great Hashem runs the show. Whether physical strength. The Kiddushas today is a nun or hay, one must view IT’S Levi answers that the Jewish army all events through the lens of divine P A R T I C U L A R L Y viewed themselves as weak in relation intervention. to Hashem’s might. Granted, they The gimmel in particular relates EASY TO fought and won. They went through directly to Chanukah. This side of NEGLECT the dreidel personifies someone H A S H E M W H E N the battle. Nevertheless, they knew that without Hashem’s help, there who is successful, an ish matzliach.

O N E A C T I V E LY would be no victory. We can learn Hashem gives them a gimmel life.

WORKS HARD from the Chashmonayim that when a This success can be expressed F O R A C E R T A I N gimmel is spun, we must remember through business growth or finishing R E S U LT. Who chose this result. shas with Daf Yomi. The challenge is Perhaps we can extend this concept to remain focused on the Source. It’s to the quintessential gimmel charparticularly easy to neglect Hashem acter from the Torah- Yosef haTzaddik. During his when one actively works hard for a certain result. reign as the head of Potifar’s household the Torah In this case it’s natural to feel responsible for the describes him as ish matzliach- a gimmel man. progress. It’s easy to forget Hashem is spinning the dreidel. He chooses the outcome. After long hours at Hashem blessed him with success wherever he went.

The Torah shares how the locals saw his success the office, it’s easy to take credit for a raise at work. and attributed Hashem. Rashi is puzzeled why the The gimmel’s unique challenge is to step back, give Egyptians said Hashem should get the credit, why credit to Hashem. wouldn’t they blame his business acumen? Rashi anThe miracle of Chanukah embodies this concept. swers that Hashem’s name never left Yosef’s mouth.

Other miracles that we celebrate were undoubtedly performed by Hashem. The ten plagues, the splitting No matter his success, Yosef always attributed the Creator. of the Yam Suf. In these instances the Jewish nation

PUR E CHINUCH

by Rabbi Dovid Steinhauer

he primary miracle of Channuka, the menorah which remained burning for eight days, leaves us with some unanswered questions. We celebrate the fact that a small quantity of oil, enough for only one day, continued to burn for eight full days. This was the amount of time it took to produce new oil which could be used for lighting the Menorah. Although other oil was available, the Kohanim needed to squeeze fresh oil, because the supplies of oil that remained had been contaminated by the Greek soldiers during their occupation of the Beis Hamikdash, and oil which is tamei can not be used for the avoda. However the Gemara teaches us that in circumstances that the avoda cannot be completed in purity it still needs to be performed - even with kohanim or keilim which are tamei –‫טומאה הותרה בציבור‬. If so the Kohanim could have used tamei oil for the menorah, and why was the miracle necessary?

The Chochmas Shlomo answers that the halacha that tumah is permitted betzibbur only refers to the regular operation of the Beis Hamikdash.

When the Chashmonaim arrived and found the Beis Hamikdah desolate they had the job of renewing the avoda – it was comparable to a new inauguration, a new chanukas habayis. When it comes to a new beginning, the foundation needs to be laid in the best possible fashion, and one may not rely on the leniency of using tamei oil. However as part of its day to day running, if no pure alternative is available, an impure substitute is permitted.

The Torah teaches us that notwithstanding the paramount importance of building the Beis Hamikdash, all work needs to cease for the duration of Shabbos. Indeed the concepts of forbidden labor of Shabbos are derived from the activities normally performed in the Mishkan. However once the Beis Hamikdash was functional, the daily korbonos required that melochos, such as shechita, kindling the menorah and burning the ketores, needed to be transgressed regularly. Does Shabbos supercede avoda or does avoda override Shabbos?

If we think about it, this question applies to every Shabbos as well.

The sanctification of the primary Shabbos was that Hashem concluded the creation of the universe and rested on the seventh day. However in the natural cycle of creation Hashem performs melochos regularly every Shabbos – the rain falls, the plants grow, people are born and die. Does Hashem desist from melacha on Shabbos or not?

Reb Tzadok Hacohen explains that Shabbos reminds us of the completion of creation. Every Shabbos we celebrate and commemorate the fact that Hashem created the world and finalized His handiwork within six days. The subsequent running of the world does not have the creative status as the initial stages of the creation and therefore the injunction against creation on Shabbos does not apply. By contrast, the prohibitions

we have on Shabbos are those actions which in human terms are creative.

For example cooking new food is creative, keeping food hot is not.

So too the construction of the mishkan was a microcosmic replication of creation and therefore the same stipulation applies that creative activity cannot be performed on Shabbos. However once the Beis Hamikdash is operational, the subsequent routine is not of the same status as its inception, and therefore the regulation forbidding melocho on Shabbos does not apply on a daily basis.

Chazal (Koheles Rabba 8:7) teach us the same principle. The one Tanna who left the fold of yiddishkeit was Elisha ben Avuha. The Midrash explains that at his bris, his father saw R Eliezer and R Yehoshua learning, enveloped in a spiritual fire. He was so impressed that he declared he would dedicate his son to learn Torah as well. The Midrash explains the passuk ‫ טוב אחרית דבר מראשיתו‬- the conclusion of the matter is good, if its beginning was good. Since something was missing in the foundation of Elisha’s learning, eventually the entire edifice he built crumbled into nothing. What was missing in his chinuch? The Yaavetz explains that it was only at his bris that his father decided to mechanech him towards Torah, and therefore he was missing the initial stage of chinuch until that point.

When one is laying the foundation for a building it is imperative to use the strongest materials to guarantee the steadfastness of the structure, even if he is going to have to compromise on the quality of the building supplies he uses in the remainder of the project. So too in life one is sometimes confronted with situations when he has to rely on leniencies and less than optimal choices. However when it comes to chinuch – to building the foundation for a lifetime of Torah-oriented growth, be it for ourselves, our children or our students; we are involved in a creative process similar to brias haolam, therefore the tools we employ and the example we set must all be on the highest standards of kedusha.

Having had the privilege to be a part of the JK over the past year, I have had the opportunity to see first hand its power. Whereas kollelim usually only maintain an environment of further learning, Rabbi Berkovits and Rabbi Blackman create new dimensions of Torah, building today’s Mishkans in the spiritual deserts of Jacksonville, Phoenix and Seattle.

And when it comes to chinuch - creating anew, it requires a commitment and dedication that does not allow for mediocrity. Building foundations for the future leaders of Klal Yisrael requires that everything is done ‫על‬ ‫ טהרת הקודש‬- and following the example of Channuka, when we are determined to use only the purest oil in the menorah, we can look forward to miraculous assistance in maintaining the ‫ נר מצוה ותורה אור‬burning brightly.

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 57 79

9

SHEMA YISROEL

T H E N AT I O N A L B A N N E R When the Chashmoniam went out to go fight the Greeks, were they doing their hishtadlus or relying on a miracle to happen?

Perhaps they sat and did a cheshbon hanefesh and reached the conclusion that this was the hishtadlus necessary to stand up for Yiddishkeit?

But that doesn’t make sense, because who in their right mind would reach a conclusion that in order to keep Yiddishkeit alive and well, 10,000 men can take on an army of 100,000 soldiers with elephants?

Perhaps, then, they were going to do the unimaginable and take on this army, relying on Hashem performing a neis for them? That also doesn’t seem possible, Chazal tell us ‫אין סומכין על הנס‬, we’re not allowed to rely on miracles.

The mefarshim discuss the question of what is the difference between Purim and Chanukah. They explain that during the events leading up to Purim, when our physical lives were at risk we ripped our clothes, fasted, and davened, all in hopes to avoid the decree that would annihilate the Jewish people.

We learn from there that in a time where our physicality is at risk we have to take a spiritual approach to counter it and do teshuvah. On Chanukah, on the other hand, when our performance of mitzvos was at risk, we went to war. What was it that prompted us to take that drastic step? As we have noted, it was neither relying on a miracle nor doing hishtadlus; so what was it?

It was mesirus nefesh. The Chashmonaim understood that a time when our practice of Judaism is at risk - it’s a time to act with Mesirus Nefesh. They knew and were willing to do whatever it took to keep our religion alive, even if it meant giving our lives for the cause.

Jews who were about to be moser nefesh have

by Rabbi Josh Kent

always said the Shema. In truth this is always how we strive to end our lives as is evident from what occurred with Rabi Akiva at the end of his life. The whole time while the Romans were torturing him he stayed calm and focused on loving Hashem “even when He takes your life,” as we learned from the words of Ve’ahavta es Hashem etc. with all of your heart,” and he died reciting the words Shema Yisroel Hashema Elokeinu Hashema Echad. When the Chashmoniam went out to take on the Greeks I am sure that they were screaming these words with every breath that they had, ready and prepared to serve Hashem.

In some ways the Shema can be referred to as the national anthem of the Jewish people. The Shulchan Aruch paskens that the ideal way to say krias Shema is out loud as a national declaration of our faith to Hashem, some communities even have the minhag to say it in unison as a united congregation. These words are so well known that when the Shulchan Aruch rules that the Shema can be said in any language the Chofetz Chaim clarifies that this halacha is for the paragraphs following the first pusik of Shema, but Shema Yisroel itself must be said in loshon hakodesh since which Jew doesn’t know the meaning of these words?

In fact these words are engrained so much in us that it is well known after the Holocaust Rav Eliezer Silver went around many Christian orphanages and sang the words of Shema out loud. Almost immediately either children would join in or start crying hysterically and when this happened The Rav demanded to take these Jewish children with him.

These are the words that our mothers whisper in our ears since the time we are born and these are the words that we carry with us until we pass.

However, in today’s world would Rav Silver been successful? After all we find ourselves in a world where the Chofetz Chaim’s words mentioned above are no longer applicable. No longer does all of Klal Yisrael know the words of the Shema; at best (and with rarity) the more traditional know how to sing these words but have absolutely no clue of what they mean. We live in a world which is so drastically different than even 100 years ago, and most of the Jewish people are so far removed from Hashem that no longer does every Jew know the meaning of Shema.

When Yosef first saw Binyomin they start crying on each other’s necks and Rashi explains that they are crying over the destruction of the two Temples in the future. The Piaseczno Rebbe in the sefer Aish Kodesh asks: why doesn’t Rashi comment on the very next passuk and explain why Yosef once again is crying when he sees the rest of his brothers? He answers that first Yosef cried with Binyomin over the destruction but when he saw his brothers he cried because of the fallout of the destruction, a lack of mitzvah observance that would come. The Piasecno answers another famous question in the same way but offers a solution. When Yosef first sees Yakov Avinu he falls on his neck while crying and Rashi tells us Yaakov said krias shema.

The mefarshim have great difficulty explaining this – why was Yaakov saying Krias Shema? – but the Aish Kodesh offers something amazing as an answer. When Yosef comes over crying, he is saying to his father that my brothers are now coming down to Egypt – how are they going to survive, how are they going to keep performing mitzvos?

Yaakov’s answer to that was Shema Yisroel Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad – through mesiras nefesh we’ll be able to get through this.

Our mission is to teach everyone and to bring them closer to Hashem by teaching these words of the Shema with their meaning and what it means for a Jew to believe it. To believe with full conviction that Hashem is not just G-d in Heaven but He is the Creator and Mashgiach of our lives. The sooner we can get all of the Jewish People on board with this to the extent that they are willing to scream it into battle like our ancestors at the time of Chanukah, the sooner we can see the third Temple rebuilt and may it be speedily in our days.

THESE ARE THE WORDS T H AT O U R MOTHERS WHISPER IN OUR EARS SINCE THE TIME WE ARE BORN AND THESE ARE THE WORDS T H AT W E CARRY WITH US UNTIL WE PASS.

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5 779

11

submitted anonymously

The Kedushah

MILK & ME AT

OF SENSITIVITY We are all familiar with that feeling when we really need a coffee – with milk, not non-dairy creamer – but realize that only two hours have passed since our schnitzel dinner. What is this all about?

The prohibition against basar bechalav, cooking or consuming milk and meat together, is unique among our dietary laws, and indeed leaves a unique imprint on our domestic lives. Much of Yoreh Deah deals with the laws of prohibited substances that have become mixed into permitted foods. These prohibited substances should ideally be avoided in the first place, and under normal circumstances would not find themselves in our kitchens or homes.

Basar bechalav, on the other hand, involves, as the Gemara points out, two innocuous substances that are ever-present in our homes, and yet must be assiduously kept separate. Not only our diets but our kitchen management as well reflects a constant preoccupation with meticulous observance of this law.

The hallmark of a kosher kitchen is the separation maintained between milk and meat. Basar bechalav, then, makes its presence known in our homes more than any other dietary law.

What is the meaning of this particular prohibition? Is it a chok, a law that transcends our understanding, or is there some discernible principle behind it? This is more than an academic question; if there is indeed some comprehendible lesson behind basar bechalav, important enough for the Torah to have it maintain a ubiquitous presence in our lives, it would be quite a shame to spend

our lives meticulously observing its laws without internalizing its message.

Ramban (Devarim 14:21) understands the mitzvah as one steering us away from the cruelty inherent in using a mother’s milk to cook her own progeny. Mother’s milk is, after all, the ultimate symbol of compassion, care and relationship; taking advantage of this same substance for the sake of turning its intended beneficiary into food is a cynical inversion of its very essence. Acting in this manner demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the very concept of motherhood and all that it stands for. Even consuming a concoction made in such a manner makes us party to the cruelty and insensitivity that went into its creation.

The prohibition against basar bechalav, of course, applies to cooking meat in the milk of any animal, not only its mother. Ramban explains that the Torah considers this, too, cruelty.

We may note that Ramban’s approach is supported by the very fact that the Torah chooses to express this mitzvah in terms of cooking a kid in its mother’s milk. Since the prohibition applies even to the meat of grown animals, as well as to milk not of their mothers, why talk of mothers and kids? True, various halachic details are derived from this usage, but how are we to understand the verse at a simple level? It would seem that the Torah wishes to express the principle behind the mitzvah. Anyone can understand that boiling a kid, which is completely dependent on its mother for its very sustenance, in the very commodity its life depends upon is an act of cruelty; the Torah wishes

developing man’s natural instincts of compassion, kindness to instruct us, however, that boiling any meat in any milk is not and other virtuous leanings. (Even Aristotle and his disciples, entirely free of that cruelty, either. Our sensitivities should be who did put emphasis on developing virtue, did so not berefined to the point that we perceive the “kid” in any animal, cause of any inherent value in these virtues, but because they and the “motherhood” in all milk. facilitate happiness and an optimal state of mind for what they What seems interesting in Ramban’s interpretation is his considered the ultimate human endeavor, that of “the contemexplanation of the words “for you are a holy nation to Hashem, plative life.”) For all their aggrandizement of the human being your G-d” written immediately before the commandment of as the center of the world, together with their insistence on prebasar bechalav (in its third iteration, that of Parshas Re’eh).

Ramban explains that holiness precludes the cruelty of cooking serving man as is, without the need to alter him for the better, they tended perhaps to view these instincts as weaknesses to a kid in its mother’s milk. This seems startling: We are used to be overcome rather than virtues to be encouraged. The Torah encountering the concept of kedushah, holiness, in the context presents the opposite vision: while our physical and material of transcending our baser instincts and physical desires. What instincts are to be viewed as something to be subdoes it have to do with refraining from cruelty? dued and controlled, those inborn instincts that Apparently, kedushah includes all forms of reflect divine virtue are seen not as weaknesses refined sensitivities. Though much of our life’s A or nuisances but as of parts of ourselves to be work must focus on battling and overcoming our “ H O LY N AT I O N ” preserved and even cultivated. destructive instincts, our Creator has implanted SHOULD BE SO SENSITIVE It was not a Greek philosopher but a great throughout the natural world instincts that are TO SUCH Talmudic scholar who would stop to gaze at a winpositive and reflective of true values. In a wellVA LU E S A N D dow-display of children’s shoes, waxing emotional known passage in Eiruvin (100b), we are told that I D E A L S T H AT about the thought of a mother’s first shoe-shopeven had the Torah not been given, we might IT CANNOT ping trip with her young child. Rav Chaim Shmuhave been able to learn various positive traits IN ENGAGE levitz’s preoccupation with this scene stemmed from various animals. Maharal (Nesiv HaTzniyus IN ANYTHING presumably not from pure sentiment but from ch. 1) explains that while many desirable charEVEN an appreciation that motherhood is an authentic acter traits are accessible because of our being R E M O T E LY representation of something real emanating from created in the Divine image, some are even more REMINISCENT OF A PRACTICE the Creator Himself. basic than that and are imbedded within other T H AT I G N O R E S The Torah, in general, seeks to infuse overarcreatures that do not share that distinction. The THEM. ching divine values into our lives by integrating maternal instinct, then, is one planted in creatures them into the nooks and crannies of our daily not only as a practical measure to ensure survival existence. In the mitzvah of basar bachalav, the of the species, but as an expression of divine values.

Torah has, according to Ramban, forced us to rearrange our daily A “holy nation” should be so sensitive to such values and ideals lives and preparation of food around a constant reminder of the that it cannot in engage in anything even remotely reminiscent need for greater sensitivity and refinement, or, in the Torah’s own of a practice that ignores them. terminology, kedushah.

In the context of our ongoing clash with the values brought Kedushah, then, involves not only transcending and sublimatto the world by Greek culture, it is interesting to note that while ing our baser instincts but becoming aware of, and developing, the Greeks placed great emphasis upon the human body and the virtuous and noble instincts our Creator has implanted physical form, as well as on man’s aesthetic sensitivities, they within us. did not seem to be particularly concerned with preserving and C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5 779

13

PA T R O N

Mazal Tov

Daniel Chaim,

We are beyond proud of you for getting semicha.

This is such an amazing accomplishment and we are so happy for you and Cypora!

I can’t tell you how much nachas this brings to our whole family!

Love, Mommy and Totty Green

14

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

PA T R O N Dearest

Yossi & Gitty,

Words cannot describe how proud we are of you both.

Yossi, your hasmadah, hashkafah, eirlichkeit and clear insight of your purpose in life are an inspiration to everyone you come into contact with.

Gitty, behind every great man stands a greater woman holding him up and pushing him forward. Your support for Yossi, and the simchos hachaim and unbound energy that you do it with, are amazing.

May Hakadosh Baruch Hu continue to grant you both Hatzlacha and Bracha in everything that you do.

Love, Mommy and Tatty Devor Estie and Shea, Aryeh and Gitti Green Penina and Chaim, Kayla and Mimi Kazen Mendy, Yitzy and Nesanel Devor

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

15

PA T R O N

Mazal Tov

Dovid Yehuda

on this great simcha of receiving semicha.

Savta and I are very proud of you for your hasmada and beautiful middos. The home you and Faigy are building is a true bayis ne’eman built upon a foundation of Torah.

We are so proud of both of you!

Love, Saba and Savta Perlstein

16

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

PA T R O N In honor of our dear son

Shmuel,

Mazel tov on this great achievement.

We are so proud of your accomplishment.

May you continue to use your ‫ כוחות‬and knowledge to make a tremendous difference in people’s lives.

Keep up the amazing work!

Thank you so much to Rabbi Berkovits for all that you’ve done for ‫ כלל ישראל‬and for giving Shmuel this opportunity to become the best he can be.

Rabbi Blackman, the kollel would not run without you. Thank you for all the time invested in making this kollel such a special place.

Big thank you to Avigail for all her support in Shmuel’s growth.

Aaron and Ellen Wolfson C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

17

PA T R O N

In honor of our dear son (in-law)

R’ Daniel Chaim Green

You continue to make us so proud Your sterling middos Your commitment to your learning and achievements toward your goal are truly remarkable Wishing our darling daughter Cypora and the adorable Yoni and Benny a huge Mazel Tov too!

Love, Mommy and Daddy Parnes 18

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

PA T R O N

To our Dearest

Chaim

Mazal tov on another milestone!

We are so proud of you and Chaya Rivka!

You give us tremendous nachas, and you are everything parents could wish for.

Aleh vehatzliach, aim high!

Proud Papi and Mami!

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

19

PA T R O N

In appreciation of

Rabbi Berkovits and the Hanhala of the Jerusalem Kollel

With deepest gratitude, Avrom Markovits

20

T HE JERUSALEM KO LLE L

In honour of our esteemed and precious children

HaRav David Ariel & Rebbetzin Hannah Ella Sher

As we follow your progress from afar, we are so grateful to ‘‫ ה‬and proud of your incredible growth, hasmodah and achievements. You have learnt consistently and diligently with the unstinting support of your devoted wife and adorable son ‫ל‬-‫שמוא‬, and have always displayed sterling middos.

May your beautiful family go ‫ מחיל אל חיל‬and be ‫ זוכה‬to continue growing in ‫רוחניות‬.

‫נר מצוה ותורה אור‬ May the Jerusalem Kollel always merit to celebrate their yearly Semicha siyum on Chanukah, with their ‫מרביצי תורה‬, lighting up the world with ‫קדושת התורה‬. With admiration for your renowned Rosh Kollel and ‫ ;הנהלה‬Rabbi Berkovits ‫שליטא‬, Rabbi Blackman ‫שליטא‬,Rabbi Boretsky ‫שליטא‬, Rebbetzin Kalsmith and the Roshei Chaburah ‫שליטא‬, for helping their musmachim become exemplary leaders of the ‫ עם הנבחר‬and a source of ‫ נחת‬to the ‫רבש”ע‬. As master mechanchim we commend them for their valuable contribution as a leading beacon of light to Torah Kiruv world wide. Mazal Tov to you all and wishing you ongoing ‫הצלחה‬.

With all our love Daddy, Mommy and all the Sher family C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

21

Mazal tov

Binny

on this outstanding achievement!

Kudos to Chaya Sarah and Yosef a most supportive home team.

Love, Mommy and Daddy Racheli and Shimmie Bachrach and Family Sari and Baruch Schiffmiller and Family Nava and Yisrael Geizhals and Family Ari, Rikki, Dovi 22

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

‫מזל טוב ‪ ‬לכבוד החתן החשוב שלנו‬

‫כמר דוד יהודה רימער שליט”א‬ ‫וזוגתו החשובה בתנו חיה פייגא תחי’‬ ‫לרגל שמחת קבלת הסמיכה על הלכות איסור והיתר‬

‫‪As we follow your progress from afar we are so proud‬‬ ‫‪ you‬עמלות ‪ and for the‬עליי’ ‪ for constant‬תשוקה ‪of your‬‬ ‫‪demonstrate toward achieving your goals.‬‬ ‫‪ to those around you‬שמחה ‪ you bring much‬חן ‪ and‬נעימות ‪With‬‬ ‫‪and serve as a role model for us to emulate.‬‬

‫יהי רצון שתזכה להצלחה בכל מעשיך ושתשרה שכינה במעשה ידיך‪ .‬ממעון‬ ‫ביתכם תצא תורה והוראה לאורך ימים ושנים מתוך נחת‪ ,‬פרנסה והרחבת הדעת‬ ‫‪Love,‬‬ ‫‪Tatty and Mommy Perlstein‬‬ ‫‪and the Entire Family‬‬ ‫‪23‬‬

‫‪C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9‬‬

Mazel Tov to our dear children

Kasriel & Pessie Gewirtzman

on continuing the hard work of getting smicha and completing Hilchos Issur V’Heter.

Once again we are very proud of both of you, Kasriel, on putting forth the time and effort to learn and excel in the halochos of Issur V’Heter, and Pessi, for your encouragement and patience.

Together you made this a reality.

We would like to thank the Rosh Hakollel, the Rabbeim and Chaverim. We wish them much ‫ברכה והצלחה‬.

To Pessi and Kasriel, may you continue to grow in ‫ רוחניות‬and ‫הצלחה‬ ‫בכל מעשה ידיכם‬. And most important, you should have a lot of ‫נחת‬ from each other and from your children.

‫מזל טוב‬ Aba & Mommy and the Mishpacha 24

T HE JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Mazel Tov

Menachem!

We are so proud of you and Tzipora for settling in Eretz Yisrael to focus on learning and growing in Torah.

Your dedication to learning and the way you do it with such excitement and enthusiasm, is inspiring.

You have grown and accomplished a remarkable amount and for that we are grateful to your Mercaz Rebbes as well as your Rosh Kollel Rav Berkovits.

Menachem, may ‫ הקב”ה‬bless you with continued success and growth in Torah learning and may you and Tzipora continue to build a Bayis Neman B’yisrael.

We love you!

Dad and Mom Zaidy and Savtie Strum Aryeh and Aviva Feld Eli and Dani Drabkin Ami Feld

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

25

‫‪ ‬בסימן טוב ובמזל טוב‬

‫הרב אהרן רקח שליט״א‬

‫יהי רצון שתצליח בכל מעשי ידיך‬ ‫להגדיל תורה ויאדיר‬ ‫בחביבות והוקרה רבה‬ ‫ג׳דו‪ ,‬אבואליטא‪ ,‬הגיסות וחנניה‬ ‫‪T HE JERUSALEM KO LLE L‬‬

‫‪26‬‬

In honour of

Yehuda Zev Abenson!

Mazal tov!

The whole family could not be happier and more proud of you, your hard work and your accomplishments!

We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you, we know it will be great things!

May you continue to grow and always be a tremendous source of nachas for the whole family and for klal Yisroel!

Batsheva and Michoel Abenson C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

27

Yoni

Dear , We are all so proud and pleased to see how you have grown.

Your commitment to learning and dedication to Torah have been an inspiration to all of us. May the success of this past year lead to even more successful years ahead. We admire you, we support you, and we love you beyond words. Yasher Koach!

Love, Mom, Dad, Alexa, Matthew, Jordan & Jamie

Yoni

To my Dear Grandson , I praise you for your awesome accomplishment in Rabbinic Studies. It’s a blessing to share this achievement with you as your grandmother. I represent all of your grandparents and Uncle when I express Kol Hakavod! Love, Baba

Yoni

Dear , We are so proud of you becoming a Rabbi and your chosen path to make the world a better, more sacred place for humanity. Thank you for your commitment and dedication.

Love, Auntie Doreen, Uncle Sparky, Nico & Hannah 28

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

To our dear children

R’ Ahron & Chavie Posen ‫יגעת ומצאת תאמין‬

‫וכשם שזכית להגיע למדריגה זו כן תזכה‬. ‫אשרך שזכית לכך‬ ‫לעלות מעלה מעלה בתורה וי״ש‬

We are so proud of your accomplishments. Kudos to you both for your dedication and persistence. We are shepping nachas.

Your Parents, R’ Yudi and Shifra Greenwald R’ Yechiel and Esther Rochel Posen C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

29

Mazel tov to our beloved son-in-law and brother-in-law

Binyamin Geizhals ‫עמו”ש‬

upon his achievements in ‫ !לימוד התורה‬We are so proud of you Binny and Chaya Sarah!

‫שתזכה לעלות מעלה מעלה במעלות התורה הקדושה‬ Love, Tatty, Mommy, Hindy, Sruli, and Tzvi Shippel

30

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

With great Kavod to

Rebbe-

Continue leading us with your great wisdom and warmth With gratitude to

Rabbi Blackman &Rabbi Josh for all your hard work.

We wish Mazel Tov to all those receiving semicha on your incredible accomplishment.

May the Kollel keep the fire burning for many more years.

Eli and Esti Seidenfeld C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

31

Jerusalem Kollel and our ‫נשיא‬, Rabbi Berkovits.

With much ‫ הכרת הטוב‬to the

Mazal Tov to this years ‫!מוסמכים‬

May you be ‫ זוכה‬to be ‫!מקדש שם שמים‬

32

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

To my dear friends of the Jerusalem Kollel (special shout out to BIL Daniel Chesler and Chavruta Meir Rottenberg) A huge Mazal Tov on your incredible achievements – may you be Zoche to take this wisdom and knowledge and use it to deeply impact the Jewish people. The Chanuka story is a constant reminder that the flame of hope will never be extinguished and that the Almighty will always respond to those who don’t give up.

Missing all you guys!!

With utmost appreciation to Rabbi Berkovits, Rabbi Blackman and Rabbi Josh – the lessons I’ve learnt are invaluable.

Akiva Rosenblatt

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

33

In appreciation to

Rebbetzin Kalsmith

In just 3 short years, you help to mold us young wives and mothers into Rebbetzins and leaders in Klal Yisroel. Thank you for pushing us to become better and always be cognizant of our fulfilling our role as ‘‫עובדי ה‬.

You put in tremendous time, energy, devotion and love, working tirelessly to make the JK Wives’ program the success that it is.

Thank you for all that you do.

Neshei JK

Mazal tov to our amazing brother

Shmuel

We are so proud of you for all of your accomplishments thus far and know that big stuff is still to come.

Love, Avraham Moshe and Chana Wolfson Dovid Mordechai and Nechama Wolfson Yossi and Chana Sosha Tepfer 34

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Mazal Tov to all of the ‫ מוסמכים‬of the amazing Jerusalem Kollel! May ‫הקב”ה‬ give Rebbe, Rabbi Blackman, and R’ Boretsky the ‫ כח‬to continue inspiring the future leaders of ‫!כלל ישראל‬

In honor of

Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits and Rabbi Zevy & Chaya Tendler May you go from strength to strength.

With all our love and admiration, Opa & Savta Weinberg C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

35

‫ויה”ר שתמשיכו לעלות במעלות התורה והיראה‬ ‫ממשפחת רייסנר‬ Reisner Gateshead UK Mazel tov to

Motty & Malki Sigler

We have seen how hard you have worked and are so proud of both of you.

Keep up the good work.

With love from your London family

Chartered Surveyors To our darling grandchildren and great grandson,

Rabbi David, Hannah & Shmuel, Mazel Tov on your second semicha! We are so proud of you and all of your achievements.

36

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Special ‫ מזל טוב‬to our dear son/brother,

Rabbi Kasriel Gewirtzman,

upon receiving his second ‫סמיכה‬ . May you continue to go ‫מחיל אל חיל‬.

We look forward to continued ‫נחת‬ from you and your wonderful family!

Special recognition to your ‫אשת חיל‬, Pessie, who is ‫מוסר נפש‬ and a true ‫עזר‬ in your ‫הצלחה‬.

Tatty and Mommy Gewirtzman and all your siblings and their families

Mazel tov to our beloved son-in-law and daughter,

Rabbi and Mrs. Ezra Balsam,

on this great achievement! May you both continue to bring nachas to your families and to Hashem. May you both go ‫ מחיל אל חיל‬and continue to inspire Klal Yisroel until 120 healthy, happy years.

All our love, Charlie and Robin Meyerson C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

37

To our wonderful son in law

‫ל שר‬-‫הרב דוד אריא‬

We are so immensely proud of your achievement, you and your lovely wife always give us such ‫ נחת‬.

All members of the Fine family are so proud of you – you are both such tremendous role models for our other sons and daughters. We are sure baby Shmuel will be ‫זוכה‬ to grow up in a house of great wisdom from such a wonderful father, imparting his knowledge and experience.

May you both go ‫מחיל אל חיל‬.

Love always, Absie and Mum

Love, Daddy and Mommy and Family

Rabbi Yehuda Zev Abenson!

Mazal Tov to you and your Rebbetzen We are all so proud of you...

38

T HE JERUSALEM KO LLE L

-H

Dedicated to our dear children

Shlomie and Ruchie Brukirer We wish you much continued Hatzlacha in all your endeavors and are continuously shepping nachas from afar.

With all our love,

Tatty, Mommy, Hudi, Moishe, Ella and Bina ‫ מצא טוב‬,‫מצא אשה‬ Dear

Ariella,

There are only two words that encapsulate how I feel: appreciation and awe. I would not have been able to reach this milestone without you. Without your support, encouragement, and mesiras nefesh, I wouldn’t be receiving my semicha today. Thank you for everything you do. You push yourself beyond your limits and I’m in awe by how much you’re able to accomplish. Your sincerity and clarity in what we’re doing is exemplified by your role in Thrive and the choices you make on a day-to-day basis. Not only have you been the source for raising such a beautiful family but you have also been my rock, my center, and my source of constant bracha. This semicha is yours as much as it is mine. May we C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

39

be zoche to continue to build our bayis ne’eman b’yisroel and may we be zoche to reap the peiros of what we’re building and will continue to build.

Your grateful and prideful husband, Yoni Denitz

Dearest

Mena and Tami We are very proud of your accomplishment. Keep going ‫מחיל אל חיל‬. ‎

‫לכבוד הרב דוד אריאל שר שליט״א‬ Words are unable to express how proud you make myself and everyone around you.

Your hard working efforts have really paid off ‫ !ברוך ה׳‬How you manage to be there for the family, complete your MA, AND your second ‫סמיכה‬, I will never know…

May ‫ ה׳‬continue to give you the ‫ כוחות‬and ‫ הצלחה‬to go ‫מחיל אל חיל‬.

Feeling very privileged to be your wife, 40

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Your loving family in Manchester, New York and Israel!

Mazel Tov to our

Yehuda Zev Abenson

We are so proud of your achievements over the last year and who you have become.

With much gratitude to Rav Berkovits and all the other members of the Jerusalem Kollel.

With much love from his wife, Batsheva, together with families Marks and Abenson

Shmuel and Shloime,

Mazel tov on getting smicha!

We are so lucky to be the children of such motivated , inspirational, accomplishing fathers.

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

41

‫‪We are so proud of you ! ‬‬ ‫‪We love you! ‬‬ ‫‪Love Shua , Naftali and Yael‬‬ ‫‪We are very proud of our dear‬‬

‫‪Shmuel & Miri‬‬ ‫שיעלה מעלה מעלה וימשיך להיות מקור הנחת לכל המשפחה!‬

‫‪David and Gitty Bollag‬‬

‫לחברי הכולל לאי”ט‬ ‫הננו מתכבדים להשתתף בשמחתכם בקבלת סמיכה לרבנות לאחר יגיעה ועמילות‬ ‫בהלכה‪,‬וכבוד גדול לנו שבנינו היקר ר’ משה מנחם (מנע) שלי”טא הוא חלק מהחבורה ‪,‬‬ ‫ובהכרת הטוב במיוחד לראש הכולל הרה”ג ר’ יצחק ברקוביץ שליט”א‬ ‫‪T HE JERUSALEM KO LLE L‬‬

‫‪42‬‬

May Hashem continue to grant you success in all of your endeavours and continue making us all so proud.

We love you loads, Momma and Pa xxxx Mazel Tov to the most amazing husband/father,

Moshe Mattisyahu Kaplan

Upon this wonderful accomplishment of receiving smicha.

We are so proud in all that you do.

Love, Your wife and kids

‫ מזל טוב‬to our dearest

Suchie Bengio ‫נ’י‬

on this major milestone. We are so proud of your achievement.

May you continue ‫מחיל אל חיל‬.

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

43

Daddy, Mammy & Family Our deepest ‫ הכרת הטוב‬to Rabbi Berkovits ‫ שליט’’א‬and all the ‫ כולל‬administrators.

We are so grateful to you.

We are the proud parents of

Dovid & Rena Skydell

Your modesty and unassuming nature is part of your uniqueness & you reflect the royalty of The Jerusalem Kollel.

With deep appreciation to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Berkovits,

R. Norman & Marilyn Skydell • R. Aryeh & Rochel Markman

To our dearest

Menachem:

Mazal Tov on this outstanding accomplishment!

It is the daily toil, effort, perseverance, dedication and commitment you apply into every word of every page you learn that has brought you here.

It is the excellence in which you master what you strive for every day.

It is the ‫ סייעתא דשמיא‬that you are bentched with every moment so you can accomplish the goals you aspire to.

There are no words to describe the pride we feel when we see who you are today.

May Hakodosh Boruch Hu continue bentching you together with your wife and family with much bracha, hatzlacha and may you continue being an incredible source of nachas to us and the Ribono Shel olam. May you always continue going ‫ !מחיל אל חיל‬Omein!

With all our love: Totty, Mommy, Moshe, Feigie, Yosef, Moshe Zev, Chani, Chani, Malky and Chumi 44

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Dear

Yoni / Abba,

Mazal tov on this tremendous accomplishment!

You have worked incredibly hard to get to this day, and we are unbelievably proud to be your family and share in this moment with you.

Thank you for learning so hard for our family, taking care of us in every way, and being the most amazing husband / father possible.

Thank you for being a role model for all of us with your exemplary middos and deep love of Yiddishkeit and Am Yisroel.

We are so excited to follow you into the future, Rabbi Denitz, and continue this

magical journey together!

All our love, Mommy, Shayna, and Tzvi Yosef

In honor of our dear son

Rabbi Yoel Steinberg And his wife,

Numi

For attaining this amazing milestone – receiving semicha from Harav Yitzchak Berkovits, shlita We are so very proud of you and your accomplishments.

You are a constant source of Yiddishe, Torahdike nachas and we wish you much siyata d’shmaya, clarity and continued success in all your endeavors.

We love you dearly! Abba and Mommy C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

45

To

Moshe Mattisyahu, son-in-law number five;

We’re so very proud of you, and your energy & drive.

You’re not lazy in the least, and challenges you undertake; Proving that failing to try, is by and large the big mistake.

A wonderful husband to Tzipora, and great father to your brood; You’re so calm & collected, always in a good mood.

Nothing fazes you at all, you go along with life’s punches; Exacting to Halachic standards, you follow correct hunches.

You’re committed to your Semicha studies, to shteig & succeed; It’s a bonus that gives us, much Yidishe Nachas indeed.

May you continue to grow in your studies, becoming a bright star; Whose Torah wisdom & wit, will be spread out wide & far.

Mazel Tov!!

Tatty & Mommy Lang

Rabbi Yonatan Denitz!

You drew us near to you with love and pride even before you stood under the chuppah with your eishet chayil. Your steadfast devotion to Limud Torah, personal growth, refined middot, doing chesed and being mekareiv rechokim has inspired all of us to emulate you. Getting semicha is the icing on a large and beautiful cake.

With much hakaras hatov to HaShem for bringing you to this milestone: Mommy, Daddy, Tali, Eliana and Dovid 46

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

In honor of our son

Dovid Yehuda,

Congratulations on reaching Semicha in Hilchos Isser v’Hetter.

We take lots of pride in your growth, and we wish you and your family continued hatzlacha in all areas, and may you be zoche to continue shteiging and to become a leader in Klal Yisroel.

An equal congratulations to our lovely daughter-in-law, Faigy, who is continuously supportive of the smicha, and all the extra curricular activities that both of you are involved in.

May you both continue to see much hatzlacha, and loads of nachas and joy from Shoshana and Tzvi.

‫לכבוד ידידי חברותא וראש חבורה‬

‫הרב גבי קרוסקל‬

‫בשמחה רבה אני פו היום בקבלת סמיכה‬ ‫תודה רבה על העזרה שאסיתה שאפשר לי להיות פו‬ ‫תודה אל השיעור בבוקר שבשביל זה אני פו‬ ‫ותודה לכול מה שעושה להקולל ולהאבריחם פו‬ ‫תלמוד וחברותא וידיד‬ ‫דניאל חיים גרין‬

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

47

‫משפחת פלנדלר‬

Mazal Tov to our dear grandson

Rabbi Nosson Wiggins

and to the entire Jerusalem Kollel

Mazel Tov

Samuel

on this great accomplishment!

Daniel and Sima Jacoby Love, Mom, Dad and Bradley

‫לכבוד‬

,‫הר’ יואל שטיינבורג‬ ‫שליט”א‬ “‫”שתולים בבית ה’ בחצרות אלקינו יפריחו‬ ‫הנה זכית ללמוד תורתנו הק’ בארצנו הק’ ועלית ממש‬ ‫לאגרא רמא במעלות התורה‬. ,‫יהי רצון שתזכה להגות יומם ולילה בתורה הק’ כל ימיך‬ ‫אתה וכל בני משפחתך הנעימים והאהובים‬. ‫באהבה עזה‬, 48

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

In honor of our son

‫ישראל זאב‬

and his supportive ‫ יעלי‬,‫ אשת חיל‬and all the ‫מוסמכים‬.

‫ !מזל טוב‬We wish you continued ‫ הצלחה‬.

Daddy, Mommy and your brothers

To Our Dearest ‫בכור‬,

Jakov Zvi ‫נ”י‬ ‫ מזל טוב‬,‫מזל טוב‬,

On this momentous occasion! We are so proud of you for reaching this milestone!

‫יהי רצון שתלך מחיל אל חיל‬..

Continue to be a ‫ מקור של נחת‬to us and the rest of the family.

‫!בלב מלא אהבה והערכה‬

Papi & Mami, Esti, Perele, Sarah & Schloimi

Mazal Tov to

Yoel From Mummy, Abba and the Monsey mishpacha.

‫לחתני כבני‬

‫הר”ר יששכר שליט”א‬ ‫יה”ר שיפוצו מעינותיך חוצה ותראה מנוחה בכי טוב‬ ‫ותטה שכמך לסבול עול התורה עוד ועוד ותעלה‬ ‫מעלה מעלה בהפצת התורה‬ ‫באהבה‬ Daddy & Mummy Stern

In honor of our dear grandson and granddaughter

Dovid Yehuda & Faigie Rimmer ‫עמו”ש‬

We are so proud of their accomplishments. May Hashem grant them the koach to go ‫חיל‬

‫מחיל אל‬.

Moshe and Rivka Lieberman

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

49

‫לאחינו אהובינו‬

‫יעקב צבי היקר‬

‫ליבנו מלא רגשות עת עומדיך במעמד הגדול של‬ !’‫’חג הסמיכה‬ .‫ומאחלים לך כולנו הרבה הרבה מזל טוב‬ ,‫ עלה והצלח‬,‫ופינו תפילה‬ ‫המשך למלאות שאיפותיך – שאיפותינו‬ ..‫להיות דוגמא אישית ומקור של נחת לכולנו‬ !‫מאחלים מקרב לב‬ ‫אחיך ואחיותיך הגאים בך‬

In Honor of

Shloimy, Miriam, Shua & Yael Mazal tov on getting semicha!!!

May you continue to grow and always be a tremendous source of nachas for us and all of Klal Yisroel Love, Mommy and Tatty Abramowitz

In honor of our grandchildren

Yossi and Gitty Devor Upon receiving Semicha

We are very proud of you both May you continue to be a source of pride and nachas to your families

Zaidy Freilich Zaidy and Bubby Devor 50

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

Mazal tov to our children

Mena & Tami We’re so proud of you Love, Oma and Dovid

MAZEL TOV

Yeshaya Swiatycki

Wow

Josh,

Mordechai and MS Swiatycki

I can’t believe how far you’ve come. May Hashem bless you with continued success, and may you use your new knowledge and status for being a constant light unto the nations and even more so to our nation. Mazal tov, Rav Kent.

May you go May Chayil El Chayil

David Reiser

In honor of our dear children

BIG Mazal Tov to our children

Nosson & Libi Wiggins

Refoel & Aimee

Bhukarah Rabbah to Rabbi Berkovits!

From Shaya’s proud parents,

We are so proud of all your accomplishments and wish you continued bracha v’hatzlacha Love, Abba & Ema

It’s amazing what you have achieved with determination and perseverance, and the courage to follow your dreams. ‫ הצלחה‬for the exciting journey ahead. With huge ‫ הכרת הטוב‬to my Rebbe Rav Berkovits shlita.

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

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Mazal Tov

Mazal Tov

Nosson & Libi

Rabbi Raccah!

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments. We wish you lots of continued Hatzlacha in Ruchniyus and Gashmiyus, and we should share simchas IYH.

Congrats Aharon - and certainly Bracha Esther too - on this amazing accomplishment! We are all so proud of you!

With lots of love, Mommy & Papi & the kids

Love, Abba & Ima, Chanoch & Rena, Mordechai & Shay, Meir, Biracha and Avraham Eliyahu

Mazal tov

‫ מזל טוב‬to

Kasriel

on your continued accomplishments in your Limudim. May Hashem give you and Pessi continued success in all your avodas hakodesh.

Love, Kovy, Yaffa and family

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T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

May you continue to grow in your learning, while sharing your gifts with all of Hashem’s people.

Binny Geizhals

Continue impressing us with your learning!

Love, Sari and Baruch Ahuvah and Meir

GREETINGS Mazal Tov Aryeh In Honor of Dovid

Kravetz on your accomplishment!

Yehuda & Faigy Rimmer for all they accomplish for Klal Yisroel Congratulations to Samuel Mazel Tov Shlomo

Mazal Tov Yaakov In appreciation to

Landau

Brukirer

Rubin and good luck with your next adventure!!

A & A- the devoted volunteers behind the JK Meals Rotation

Mazal Tov Rafi

Hirsh

and thank you for all you do!

Mazal Tov Eli

Grunhut

Shimshon Willick keep smiling because you just got semicha!!!

Mazal Tov

Chaim Sommer

A big Mazal Tov to Yisroel

Teitelbaum

To the best Totty, We love you so much! Yossel & Fraidel Mazal tov Meir

Rottenberg C H AG H A SEMIC H A 5779

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Yasher koach to the Rav Berkovits ‫שליט״א‬, the ‫ הנהלה‬of the Kollel and all the ‫ מוסמכים‬being recognized and honored at this event.

Klal Yisrael and the Olami community have been blessed by the Kollel, whose avreichim have assumed leadership positions in communities around the world. May the Kollel continue to inspire, train and guide many future leaders and to impact on the Jewish world in such a profound manner. !‫חיל‬

‫תלכו מחיל אל‬

Brachos and best wishes from Your partners at Olami

54

T H E JERUSALEM KO LLE L

IN APPRECI ATION Rav Dessler writes in ‫ מכתב מאליהו‬that we all want to be givers. In order not to be a taker, we should always give back when we receive. However, there are situations when we are unable to give back; therefore what we have left is ‫הכרת הטוב‬.

Each of you have impacted us more then we can ever give back to any of you and our hearts are filled with thanks and gratitude for all the time, energy, and hard work for everything you do for us.

Moreinu Harav Berkovits Rav Blackman Rav Boretsky Rav Dovid Rav Binyamin Rav Mati Rav Gabi Rav Yosef And of course

Rebbetzin Kalsmith

We would not be able to grow without any of you – Thank you,

The Kollel and the Neshei

C H AG H A SEMIC H A 577 9

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Partner with us!

The leaders we’ve produced have impacted over 100,000 of our fellow Jews.

Help us to reach even more.

Donations may be made payable to: The Jerusalem Kollel, POB 36002, Jerusalem, Israel • Tax ID #201320557 In the U.S.A: The Jerusalem Kollel, c/o Dr. Howard Lebowitz, 190 Glen Ave. South, Lakewood, NJ 08701, U.S.A.

www.TheJerusalemKollel.com • 1.848-482-4024