What's New in Yeshiva? (Choref 5760)
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Week of 11-17 Nisan / April 16-22
Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach
Week of 18-24 Nisan / April 23-29
Parshat Acharei-Mot
Pesach: After two quiet weeks of bein hazmanim, the Yeshiva brimmed again with life, with about 270 people of all ages coming to experience their Pesach at KBY's Pesach Seminar Torani, now in its fifteenth year. The joint seder was led, as usual, by Hamashgiach Rav Avraham Rivlin shlita, with other families conducting private sedarim. Amongst those attending were a group of Russian teenagers. The chock-full program of activities for the week consisted of daily shiurim for men and women, featured speakers, a daily trip, movies, children's activities, and a special evening show. The event is especially noted by its outstanding atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, which brings back many regular participants year after year.
Nevi'im and Megillot Scrolls: The Yeshiva received a set of eight Nevi'im and four Megillot scrolls, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Zwebner in memory of their parents. The Nevi'im scrolls will be used in the Yeshiva to read the weekly Haftorah. The custom in Israel is to make a bracha on the reading of all the Megillot, following the opinion of the GR"A.
Mazal Tov to Tzafrir Chariv of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter, Hila, before Pesach, and to the grandparents, Hamashgiach Rav Avraham and Rabbanit Ruth Rivlin shlita.
Week of 4-10 Nisan / April 9-15
Parshat Metzora - Shabbat Hagadol
Preparations for KBY Pesach Hotel: Intensive preparations are underway for the annual Pesach Seminar Torani. Rav Ephraim Rubinstein led a team of avreichim and kitchen workers in thoroughly cleaning and kashering the kitchen for Pesach. He also led groups of avreichim to the nearby Yad Binyamin matzah factory to oversee special runs of both hand and machine matzah for use in the Yeshiva. The dormitories are being cleaned and painted. Meanwhile, progress is being made on the landscaping project. New laundry lines were set up with concrete walkways from the houses, and parking areas are being laid down.
Visit to Hesder Soldiers: As part of KBY's ongoing commitment to maintain contact with its talmidim serving as soldiers, Rav Aryeh Stern went to visit the Givati and "totchanim" (artillery) soldiers at their bases near Be'er Sheva. He was accompanied by Yaakov Yoskovitch, director of facilities, whose son, Ari, is among these soldiers. They were met and accompanied by the chaplains of the bases, who tend with dedication to the kashrut and religious needs of the soldiers there. Rav Stern gave a shiur in the heat to the entire unit, benefitting not only KBY's talmidim, but the others as well. Upon returning, Rav Stern telephoned the parents to give them regards from their sons.
The Shabbat Hagadol drasha was delivered by Rav Dovid Kav. He discussed a dispute between Tosfot and the Mishne Lamelech whether one needs to own land (in Israel) to be obligated in aliyah laregel and korban Pesach. Rav Ephraim Rubinstein gave a shiur to the women on bedikat chametz and various aspects of hilchot Pesach.
Mazal Tov to R. Dani Esses of the Kollel on the pidyon haben of his bechor, Avraham Chaim, and to Yair Bachar of the Kollel on the birth of a daughter, Hodaya Miriam.
Week of 26 Adar II - 3 Nisan / April 2-8
Parshat Tazria
Pesach Shiurim: During the final week of the choref zman, the Yeshiva had an extensive program of Pesach shiurim encompassing Iyun, Halacha, Machshava and the Haggadah. These shiurim are available in audio form on the Web, and many are also available in written form. Click for the complete schedule of shiurim.
End of Choref Zman: The zman ended on Rosh Chodesh Nisan (Thurs., April 6). The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita delivered the final shiur on the mitzvah of eating the Korban Pesach, and ended with words of encouragement to utilize the time that we have productively. The Yeshiva will resume on Thurs., erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar (May 4), and the opening shiur will be given that Fri. morning. The Rosh Hayeshiva announced that in the summer shiurim will be given also on Fri. mornings, following in the footsteps of last year's successful initiative.
The Machon Lekiddush Hachodesh concluded its inaugural round of shiurim, and commemorated with a special "siyum" program. R. Shai Walter lectured on the development of the Hebrew calender through the ages, and the Mashgiach, Rav Avraham Rivlin shlita, delivered a Dvar Torah about kiddush hachodesh. Registration is underway for the next round of shiurim, which promises to have an even larger turnout than the first.
Mazal Tov to R. Netanel Berkowitz of the Kollel Dayanut upon the birth of a son, Chaim Yaakov, named after Maran Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l.
Week of 19-25 Adar II / March 26 - April 1
Parshat Shemini - Shabbat Hachodesh
Siyum Hashas: Etan Zanbar, a member of KBY's Kollel Dayanut, made a siyum on all of Shas Gemara, spanning many years of learning in the Yeshiva's Hesder and Kollel programs. He and his family invited the Ramim and the entire Kollel to a seudat mitzvah, at which he made the "hadran" and spoke about the mitzvah of building the Beit Hamikdash. The Rosh Hayeshiva delivered a Dvar Torah about the importance of a dual approach to learning, combining in-depth analysis with vast breadth of Torah knowledge. Dayan Be'eri spoke about the importance of "she'ifa," having great aspiratations for achievement in Torah.
Melave Malka: The final Melave Malka of the choref zman featured Rav Moshe Lichtman, who recently published a translation of the classic, "Eim HaBanim Semeichah: On Eretz Yisrael, Redemption and Unity," by Rabbi Yiscachar Shlomo Teichtal. Rav Lichtman discussed the themes of the book based on a historical perspective of the author, a Rav in Slovakia who was originally anti-Zionist, but changed his attitude 180 degrees because of Holocaust. Following his lecture, four of the shana bet students addressed their fellow first year students, giving their perspectives on two years of Kerem B'Yavneh. Pizza was ordered for all the talmidim.
Mazal Tov to R. Michael Aharonav of the Kollel Dayanut upon the birth of a daughter, Shalhevetya.
Week of 12-18 Adar II / March 19-25
Parshat Tzav / Shabbat Parah
Purim in Yeshiva: Kerem B'Yavneh joyously celebrated Purim in the classical Yeshiva style. The Beit Midrash was filled for Megilla reading, most dressed in Shabbat clothes and others in various costumes. Following the reading everyone danced around the Beit Midrash, and then the entire Yeshiva community went to the Dining Room for a festive meal. The overseas students had a brief Purim spiel of their own in Beit Brainin, and then everyone gathered back in the Dining Room for the annual Purim Chagiga with music, singing, dancing, and a Purim program prepared by the shana dalet talmidim. The atmosphere was graced with the presence of KBY alumnus, Rav Yona Metzger, the Rav of North Tel-Aviv, and talmidim who just returned to the Yeshiva after completing their officers' course for the Israeli Tank Corps. On Purim morning, under the leadership of Rav Shlomo Friedman, two vans of talmidim went to read the Megilla and dance through the various wings at two local hospitals, Hartzfeld Geriatric Center in Gedera and Kaplan Hospital in Rechovot. Rav Dayan Be'eri led Mincha in a pseudo-Yamim Noraim tune, followed by the Purim seuda for those remaining in Yeshiva. Motzei Purim, the overseas student went to Har Nof for a Purim Chagiga at Rav Stav's house, and on Shushan Purim they gathered again at Rav Blachman's house to participate in his Purim Seuda into the night.
Purim on the Web: Maran Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l taught us that Purim is the celebration of Torah Sheb'al Peh. In keeping with this, many shiurim, sichot and divrei Torah were added to the KBY website in honor of Purim. A recently acquired mini-disc recorder has enabled us to post audio shiurim and sichot online almost immediately with amazing sound quality. Amongst them are a shiur by the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Mordechai Greenberg, on "Simchat Purim", a sicha given on Ta'anit Esther by the Mashgiach, Rav Rivlin on "The Scent of Purim", and a shiur by Rav Friedman on "Inyanei Purim". In addition, a long Machshava article by Rav Rivlin on Shabbat Zachor was translated, and the Halacha section was opened with a summary of Hilchot Purim by Rav Rubenstein. Talmidim also wrote Divrei Torah which were posted in a special section and then arranged and photocopied as a brochure, which was distributed to all the overseas students on Purim.
Mazal Tov to Mordechai ("Moti") Simpson (shana dalet) upon his marriage to Orit Schwartzman on Thursday night.
Week of 5-11 Adar II / March 12-18
Parshat Vayikra / Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor in Yeshiva: As usual, the Beit Hamedrash was filled to capacity for Shabbat Zachor, with almost all of the talmidim, avreichim and staff families present, plus many guests. The spirit of the Shabbat was already sensed in the leibedike Kabbalat Shabbat, which was full of singing and dancing. The ruach carried through to the tish, which was attended by the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Rivlin and many of the Ramim. In addition to hearing from them, talmidim also said Divrei Torah. Parshat Zachor itself was read in a multitude of dialects -- Sephardic, Ashkenazic, Yerushalmi, Yemenite and Moroccan, to allow each person to fulfill the mitzvah according to his tradition. On Motzei Shabbat, Lavi Greenspan spoke and inspired all with his experiences in coping with sudden blindness.
Week of 28 Adar I - 4 Adar II / March 5-11
Parshat Pekudei
Parents of Israeli Shana Bet Join Sons for Shabbat: The Yeshiva hosted the parents and families of the second-year Israeli Hesder students for a memorable and inspiring Shabbat. These talmidim will be starting their active military service as soldiers in Zahal (Israel Defense Forces) shortly after Purim. The Shabbat program consisted of numerous shiurim and sichot for both the talmidim and their parents, a Fri. night tish, and siyumim by two of the talmidim, Shlomo Cohen on Bava Metzia and Shimon Solomon on Berachot. Yishar Koach to the second year Ramim, Rav Zvi Birnbaum and Rav Yishai Buchris, for organizing the Shabbat.
To further strengthen the talmidim for this new phase of the Hesder service, the Yeshiva previously organized a special seminar in Yerushalayim, and dedicated the entire week before Purim to providing them with special shiurim in Halacha and Emunah. The Rabbinical Chaplain of the Givati Infantry Battalion came and spoke with them at length, answering many of the questions facing the talmidim before their enlistment. We wish them all a dedicated service and pray for their safe return to their families and the Yeshiva!
Overseas Shabbaton in Mevasseret: Meanwhile, the overseas students spent a lively Shabbat together in Mevasseret, accompanied by Rav Stav, Rav Feldman and the overseas madrichim. They began with a tiyul on Fri. morning, starting at the top of the Mount of Olives, which provides a beautiful view of Yerushalayim. The talmidim walked down the mountain through the cemetery, and followed the same path into the Old City that the paratroopers (including KBY Hesder students) took in the Six Day War when capturing the city.
The Shabbat meals were filled with ruach, zmirot and divrei Torah. The Fri. night meal was followed by an extended tish in which both Rav Stav and Rav Feldman spoke. After Shacharit, Rav Feldman gave a shiur on Hilchot Shabbat, and in the afternoon Rav Stav spoke about Kedusha and the Beit Hamikdash. On Motzei Shabbat there was a great Melave Malka with food from KFC (Mehadrin, of course!), at which Rav Blachman spoke.
Week of 21-27 Adar I / Feb. 28 - March 5
Parshat Ki Tisa
KBY Upgrades Website: During the past few months, the Yeshiva has greatly expanded and enhanced its website. Among the new features are Hebrew parshat hashavua articles, an email subscription for the English parsha articles, a "monthly sugya" section, Divrei Torah from our talmidim, a FAQ sheet about the Yeshiva and overseas program, and weekly news updates (which you're reading now!). Azriel Chelst, the webmaster-in-chief, has recently returned to study in KBY for a few months, which has allowed Rav Orlian, the Israeli editor-in-chief, to collaborate with him more effectively on additional projects. Among those expected to be implented soon are: opening the halacha section, adding more photo and audio selections, additional subscriptions for the Hebrew parshat hashavua and other articles, regular posting of alumni announcements (mazal tovs, etc.), and placing the Yeshiva's semi-annual publication Belechtecha Baderech online. On the drawing board are plans for building a parallel Hebrew-based site and for an index and search feature for Torah articles.
Dr. Ari Greenspan, of the P'til Tekhelet Organization, was the guest speaker at the weekly melave malka. He recounted the history of the rediscovery of tekhelet from the Radziner Rebbe until our time, along with a slide show of textual sources. He also demonstrated the procedure for making tekhelet (which turned out purple, since the process of sky-blue tekhelet requires sunlight!). During the kayitz zman a tiyul is planned for the overseas students to go snorkeling for the chilazon.
KBY Shabbaton at YU with Rav Blachman:: Rav Mendel Blachman concluded his visit to the United States with a shabbaton at Yeshiva University. Talmidim of Yeshiva had the opportunity to hear Rav Blachman during Kabbalat Shabbat in the Main Beit Medrash and at a tish after the seudah. Many alumni remained after the tish to hear more from Rav Blachman and to share divrei Torah with their peers.
Mazal Tov to R. Lior Karavani of the Kollel upon the birth of his son.
Week of 14-20 Adar / Feb. 20-26
Parshat Ki Tisa
Kerem B'Yavneh Delegation Observes Knesset Session: A delegation consisting of the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, Mr. Eli Klein, avreichim and talmidim represented KBY at the Knesset debate whether to require the Syrians to provide information about the Israeli MIA's as part of any future peace accord. Amongst the MIA's is Yehuda Katz, a Kerem B'Yavneh student who was captured during the Shalom Hagalil war in 1985. The Yeshiva has been saying Tehillim on his behalf daily and prays for his safe return along with the other MIA's. The vote in the Knesset was to adopt the government's statement to include the issue for discussion as part of the peace talks.
A number of Ramim and avreichim participated in a program commemorating the Fifth Yahrzeit of Rav Mordechai Elimelech Tuval zt"l, a Kerem B'Yavneh alumnus and former head of KBY's "Machon Lehachsharat Morim" (Teachers' Institute).
Landscaping Project: Thanks to the efforts of the Mermelstein family in Baltimore to earmark funds through the JNF, the Yeshiva has begun to implement another phase of the landscaping project in the Kollel area. The plans call for planting new trees, shrubbery and flowers that require low water consumption alongside the road running from the "Mirpa'ah" (Infirmary) to Rav Tubi's house, and is expected to be completed before the beginning of the shemita year. The Ministry of Housing approved an additional grant to add outside lighting, additional pedestrian paths, and parking lots. Recently, KBY was awarded another citation by the Committee for the Beautification of Israel for the beautiful appearance of its campus.
Week of 7-13 Adar I / Feb. 13-19
Parshat Tetzaveh
Fifth Yahrzeit of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l: The Yeshiva commemorated the fifth yahrzeit of Rav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht zt"l with a program of shiurim and a touching Hachnasat Sefer Torah in his memory. On Motzei Shabbat Teruma a Siyum Hashas, representing a year of learning by former talmidim from around the globe, was made in his memory at a Melave Malka. On Sun. morning a bus of Ramim, avreichim and talmidim went to Har Hamenuchot for the annual aliya lakever. In the afternoon over 1000 family, talmidim, alumni and friends gathered at the Yeshiva in his honor. Amongst the speakers were Maran Rishon Letzion Harav Mordechai Eliyahu shlita and the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita. Culminating a worldwide Sefer Torah campaign, with letter-writing ceremonies in Belgium, England, Canada and the United States, a procession honoring the new Sefer Torah made its way from Beit Orfus around the Yeshiva and back to the Beit Midrash with music by the Shalhevet Orchestra. Following Maariv, a festive seudat mitzvah was served, during which Rav Moshe Mayernik shlita, son-in-law of the Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l, spoke on behalf of the family, and Rav Simcha Hakohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, delivered a Dvar Torah. A film on the Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l was screened which touched the hearts of all in attendance. In addition, the Yeshiva produced a booklet featuring a shiur of Rav Goldvicht zt"l on "The King's Obligation to Write Mishne Torah" and an excerpt from Asufat Maarachot on Pirkei Avot about "Kavod of a Sefer Torah Scroll". (Those interested in receiving this booklet can request it without charge from the Israel office.)
Mazal Tov to Rav Ari Katz upon the birth of a son, Yehoyada Chaim (named in part after the Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l), and to R. Avi Vengrover upon the birth of a daughter, Ateret Hodaya.
Week of 30 Shevat - 6 Adar I / Feb. 6-12
Parshat Teruma
Mazal Tov to Rav Meir Orlian, Israeli editor-in-chief of the Kerem B'Yavneh website, upon the birth of a son, Ben-Zion, on Thurs. afternoon. Mazal Tov, as well, to R. Moshe Amsalem who also had a boy on Fri. night.
Memorial service for Gavriel Kraus: A memorial service was held for Gavriel Kraus, a talmid of the Yeshiva who was killed in a bus bombing in Yerushalayim five years ago. The memorial was held Thurs. night in Gavriel's shul in Petach Tikvah, and was attended by almost his entire class. Rav Rivlin gave a shiur about the significance of "tomorrow" in Megillat Esther, and Mr. Kraus learned mishnayot in memory of his son.
Bnei Akiva will be using Kerem B'Yavneh's facilities for a summer learning/ touring program for high school young men. Information about the program is available from the Bnei Akiva office, (212) 889-5260, or on their website, www.bneiakiva.org.
Preparations for Fifth Yahrzeit of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva zt"l: Preparations are underway for the upcoming yahrzeit of Maran Harav Chayim Yaakov Goldvicht zt"l on 7 Adar I (Sun., Feb. 13). Amongst the activities planned in his memory are a Siyum Hashas on Motzei Shabbat Teruma, shiurim throughout Sun. afternoon, and a Hachnasat Sefer Torah followed by a seudat mitzvah in the evening. Click for complete details about the program. To sponsor letters in the Sefer Torah, please contact the Kerem B'Yavneh office.
The Yeshiva expresses condolences to Rabbanit Suzanne Blachman upon the loss of her mother, Mrs. Rochel Friedman, on Thursday night. Rav M.M. Blachman, who had been in the United States for interviews, returned to Israel for the shiva. Please see Schedule of Ramim Visiting US for updated information regarding the interviews schedule and YU Shabbaton, as it becomes available.
Week of 16-22 Shevat / Jan. 23-29
Parshat Yitro
Tu Bishvat Planting: The children and families of Kerem B'Yavneh commemorated Tu Bishvat on Sun. with the traditional planting of trees. This year's site was in front of the recently renovated Los Angeles Friends ("Hilton") dormitory. Yishar koach to Yaakov Yoskovitch, head of maintenance, as well as Yair and Avraham, for preparing the event.
Mazal Tov to Madrichim: Mazal Tov to Menachem Fruchter, overseas madrich, upon his marriage to Karen Schor of Highland Park, New Jersey. The overseas students arranged a lively and fun sheva brachot for them in Beit Brainin on Tues. afternoon. Mazal Tov also to Zevi Roness, "madrich emeritus," upon the pidyon haben of his bechor, Avraham.
Israel was blessed with a week of solid rains, which have been sorely needed. Rav Rubinstein announced that we should discontinue saying "va'aneinu," the special prayer for rain in shemone esrei. On Fri. morning Kerem B'Yavneh woke up to see patches of SNOW scattered on the grass, for the first time in many years.
Week of 9-15 Shevat / Jan. 16-22
Parshat Beshalach
Interviews of prospective talmidim for the coming year are now underway in the United States and Canada. Rav Ari Katz visited Montreal, various U.S. cities, and spent Shabbat in Cleveland. He will be followed by Rav M.M. Blachman, Rav Shlomo Friedman and Rav Shaul Feldman. Dates and locations for interviews, parent meetings and other events are available from the NY office or in the overseas section.
Throughout the year parents visit KBY, many of whom take advantage of the opportunity to learn with their sons and spend Shabbat in Yeshiva. Particularly during the recent winter weeks there has been a noticeable group of parents sitting and learning in the Beit Midrash. We welcome all parents to come and share the experience!
Rav Zvi Birnbaum and Rav Yishai Buchris led the Israeli shana bet talmidim on an innovative program in preparation for the beginning of their active military service at the end of the zman. They spent two days at Medrasha Darchei Avot in Yerushalayim, where they attended seminars in topics of hashkafa, emunah, and ta'amei hamitzvot by outstanding personalities such as Rav Mordechai Noigershall and Prof. Avraham Avraham. Of course, they also visited the Kotel.
On Shabbat, about fifty Israeli high school students who have been accepted to KBY for the coming year gathered for the first of a series of Shabbatot Gibbush. In addition to the regular Shabbat program, the Rosh Hayeshiva gave them a shiur about "Torah and Derech Eretz (Vocation)," and they had an oneg Shabbat in the houses of various Kollel avreichim. At the Melava Malka, Adir Zik (from Arutz 7) spoke and showed a film about the efforts of Dr. Zerach Wahrhaftig in saving children and Yeshiva students during the Holocaust.
Week of 2-8 Shevat / Jan. 9-15
Parshat Bo
The Rosh Hayeshiva gave a shiur klali about the halachic status of Transjordan and the Golan Heights in regards to kedushat Eretz Yisrael. On Monday night, talmidim and families from the Yeshiva participated in the rally in Tel Aviv in support of the Golan.
South Africans: A group of six South Africans joined the Yeshiva this week, following the conclusion of their High School studies in South Africa. The Yeshiva takes pride in revitalizing its connection with the South African Jewish community, which has produced many notable and dedicated alumni through the years.
Passing of Mrs. Bohm: The Yeshiva mourns with great sorrow the passing of Mrs. Renee Bohm. Mrs. Bohm and her late husband, Alexander, were ardent supporters of the Yeshiva. They were the main force behind the renovation and expansion of the Beit Midrash that bears their name. In more recent years, Mrs. Bohm endowed the dormitory campus in memory of her husband, established a substantial scholarship fund, and dedicated a garden in the name of her late sister, Mrs. Chortiner. Most recently, Mrs. Bohm approved of plans for a new approach road to the campus which would include an elaborate gate, now to be named the Alexander and Renee Bohm Gate. Mrs. Bohm is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Julie Schorr, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May G-d console them amongst the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.
YU Roshei Yeshiva: Upholding the yearly tradition, various YU Roshei Yeshiva visited the Yeshiva during YU's intersession. Rabbi Michael Rosensweig gave a shiur to the overseas talmidim on Sun. afternoon, and the Yeshiva hosted Rabbi Hershel Schachter as scholar-in-residence on Shabbat. He conducted a Q&A session at the Friday night tisch in which he discussed the peace talks with Syria, selecting a Rav, copying tapes, faxing into a different time zone where it is Shabbat, and many other questions. (He was followed late into the night by Rav M.M. Blachman, who was also present for Shabbat) On Shabbat morning Rabbi Schachter gave a shiur on issues of Avoda Zara attended by the Ramim, avreichim and talmidim. Rabbi Mordechai Willig gave a shiur Jan. 4, and Rabbi Meir Goldvicht on Jan. 9.
Week of 10-16 Tevet / Dec. 19-25
Parshat Vayechi
Asarah B'tevet: The Yeshiva commemorated 10 Tevet, which is also observed as "Yom Hakaddish Haklali" (for Holocaust victims whose Yahrzeit is unknown), with a series of activities. On Friday (8 Tevet), the overseas students visited the Beit Edut Holocaust Museum in the nearby settlement of Nir Galim. On Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi Krol, a child Holocaust survivor currently residing in Bnei Brak, spoke at the melave malka about the need to strengthen our commitment and emunah in response to the Holocaust. On 10 Tevet, Hamashgiach Rav Rivlin delivered a sicha before mincha, "A Zionistic Approach to the 'Three Oaths' and the Holocaust."
Mr. Eli Birnbaum of the WZO, the renowned "aliya maven," spoke on Tuesday to the overseas students about aliya programs and zechuyot. His presentation was followed by a general Q&A session, as well as by specific questions of individual students.
We wish a refuah sheleimah to Mr. Shlomo Schindler, husband of the long-time kitchen manager, Zipporah, who is very ill. Please daven for his recovery: Shlomo Shia ben Leah.
Week of 3-9 Tevet / Dec. 12-18
Parshat Vayigash
Worldwide participation in the Sefer Torah Project: The Rosh Hayeshiva and Mr. Eli Klein visited Antwerp, Belgium, for Shabbat Parshat Vayigash. The Rosh Hayeshiva gave a number of shiurim and sichot there in the Yavneh Yeshiva High School, which is headed by our alumnus, Rav Benzion Algazi. On Motzei Shabbat they joined many alumni and friends in a letter writing ceremony of the Sefer Torah in memory of the late Maran Rosh Hayeshiva, zt"l, which is expected to be completed for the upcoming Yahrzeit in Adar. They continued on to London, where they participated in a similar, well-attended letter writing ceremony. (Additional Sefer Torah writing ceremonies will take place shortly in North America.) They also met with 25 prospective students and their parents to acquaint them with the Yeshiva. Many of these students are expected to study in KBY next year.
As customary, the Yeshiva organized a rich and varied Chanukah program. The featured speakers are: Sun. evening -- Rav Elisha Aviner, Rosh Kollel in Yeshivat Maaleh Adumim; Mon. evening -- Rav Zechariah Tubi, Rosh Kollel in KBY; Tues. evening -- Rosh Hayeshiva, shlita. The annual Chanukah gathering at Yeshiva is on Tues. night, 9:30 PM, featuring Chaim David and his band. At that occasion, prizes for the Bekiut Incentive Program will be awarded to talmidim who excelled on their tests. On Wed. and Thurs., the overseas student will be attending a Discovery Seminar at Aish Hatorah. (See The Discovery of Bereishit by overseas student Avi Mandelbaum.)
The Yeshiva extends a heartfelt Mazel Tov to the Rosh Hayeshiva and his entire family on the marriage of daughter Esther to Netanel Schieber on Sunday night. May they be zocheh to build a bayit ne'eman b'yisrael and bring pride and joy to their families!
The Yeshiva hosted Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, shlita, as a scholar-in-residence for Shabbat Chanukah. Rav Ehrenreich was formerly a Ram at KBY, and is currently serving as Rosh Kollel Eretz Chemdah in Yerushalayim. At the Friday night "tisch," Rav Ehrenreich spoke about the fax responsa service provided by Kollel Eretz Chemdah to Rabbis throughout the Diaspora, and discussed many of the interesting questions received. On Shabbat morning he gave a halachic shiur about the blessing "she'asa nisim" for one who sees the Chanukah lights, and on Motzei Shabbat a Sicha focusing on three lessons of the Chanukah lights.
On Motzei Shabbat, many of the on-campus Ramim conducted mesibot Chanukah in their homes for the talmidim. These were followed by a melave malke, at which Rav Yedidya Frankel, an alumnus currently involved in publishing manuscripts of the Gra, related the fascinating story of a manuscript on the Talmud Yerushalmi which he obtained, accompanied by a slide presentation.
