KBY.org

Week of 23-29 Tishrei / October 22-28
Parshat Bereishit

Overseas Tiyul to Eilat: The overseas talmidim traveled on a three-day tiyul to Eilat, led by two very informational and energetic tour guides, Rav Dov Ben-Meir and Dror. They stayed at the Shalom Hotel and participated in snorkling, snappling, and hiking up hills and down valleys. Amongst the highlights of the tiyul was jeeping through the Negev and a Kumsitz aboard a boat along the shores of Eilat. They were accompanied by Rav Moshe Stav and the overseas madrichim, Adir Posy and Yitzchak Newman.

"Wall of Torah" in Gilo: Under the initiative of Rav Benzion Elgazi and Rav Tzion Luz, a group of Israeli talmidim from KBY established a three-day Yeshivat Bein Hazmanim in solidarity with the residents of Gilo, who have been the victims of Palestinian fire from Beit Jala. They were joined by talmidim from Mercaz Harav and elsewhere in forming a "wall of Torah," proving both spiritual zechut and emotional support for the community. The learning was held in the Mishkan Moshe Shul in Gilo, on Haanafa Street. The day-long learning program included sichot by the Rabbanim of the community, and Ramim of our Yeshiva and of Mercaz Harav, which were attended also by members of the community.

Mazal Tov to Tzvi Rosby upon his marriage to Devorah Zitter
Mazal Tov to Shai Buzaglo of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter, and to Asaf Azriel of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter, Hodaya.

Week of 16-22 Tishrei / October 15-21
Shemini Atzeret (Simchat Torah)

Annual Dinner in Yerushalayim: Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh held its annual dinner at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in commemoration of the Yeshiva's forty-eighth year. Despite the rain during the afternoon, the evening was clear, so the dinner was held in the Succah, as usual. The dinner honored 70 alumni who serve in rabbinical positions in Israel, whether as synagogue, community or military rabbis. Among them was Rav Ephraim Rubinstein, the Mara D'Atra of the Yeshiva community. The entertainment program featured music by "Tzemed Re'im," who were later joined by a group of Chabad Chasidim who added a lively touch to the singing. Following the lead of the Ramim, the guests rose and started dancing, providing an inspirational and enjoyable to cap the evening, which proved to be one of our most successful events.

The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita hosted the Ramim and the talmidim of the Yeshiva in his Succah for a Simchat Beit Hashoeva, complete with Divrei Torah, recital of Shir Hamaalot, singing and dancing. Amongst the surprise guests was Rav Yosef Blau, the Mashgiach Ruchani of YU, who happened to be nearby visiting his son in Mevasseret. The Succah was not only full with people, but also with ruach!

Rav Binyamin Herling hy"d: The Yeshiva shares in the tragic death of Rav Binyamin Herling hy"d, who was killed by Palestinian fire on Har Eval. Rav Herling was amongst the founding twelve students of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh forty-eight years ago. He later served as a Ram in Yeshivat Kfar Haroeh and as Rosh Kollel in Yeshivat Alon Moreh. In addition to his great knowledge, Rav Herling was also known and loved for his exemplary personality and traits. With a great sense of loss, his name is being added to the list of KBY'S Fallen Soldiers. "Yehi Zichro Baruch."

The Yeshiva reopened for Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah. Hakafot were held throughout the day, after Maariv, Musaf and Mincha. Rav Dovid Kav was honored to be the Chatan Torah and Rav Moshe Stav was Chatan Bereishit. On Motzei Yom-Tov, a group of Kollel families and talmidim, led by Rav Yitzchak Levi, went to participate in Hakafot Sheniyot in the nearby city of Gedera. Meanwhile, the overseas students observed the second day of Yom Tov as Simchat Torah, and were joined in their dancing and singing by the local Ramim and Avreichim. Unfortunately, the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita was not able to participate in the simcha because of the aveilut for his mother, who passed away in the summer.

Week of 17-23 Elul / September 17-23
Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech

Teshuva Lectures: Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, Hamashgiach, and various Ramim are giving Teshuva Shiurim throughout Israel to alumni and friends of the Yeshiva. The series is coordinated by Urie Lieberman, Director of Public Relations. Click for a listing of shiurim and their locations. In the Yeshiva, Dayan Be'eri gave a sicha, "The Potential for Teshuva and Avodat Hashem."

Rav Zalman Koren, a renown authority on issues of the Mikdash spoke on the topic of "Nolad after chatzot" as part of the Machon Lekiddush Hachodesh studies. Next week the Machon will conclude the second round of its program, as is planning to begin the third round in Choref Zman.

On Motzei Shabbat, the Yeshiva began saying Selichot (Sefardim have been saying since the beginning of Elul). Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Mordechai Greenberg shlita introduced the Selichot with a sicha, "Preparing for Rosh Hashana," and Rav Rafi Posen, the Chazan for the Yamim Noraim, led the Selichot.

Mazal Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Eli Klein upon the marriage of their granddaughter, Shlomit Menucha, to Noam Carmiel, and on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Aviad Kaufman.

Week of 10-16 Elul / September 10-16
Parshat Ki Tavo

Under the initiative of Rav Aryeh Stern, a group of talmidim and their Ramim held an all-night mishmar on Thurs. night. The program included shiurim, as well as individual learning, and at 1:45 AM a large group of talmidim gathered in the Dining Hall for a "tish" and lively dancing with the Ramim. They concluded the night with a shiur by Rav Tzion Luz and davening vatikin.

Teveria Tiyul: The overseas students went on a tiyul to Tveria for Fri. and Shabbat. They were accompanied by Hamashgiach Rav Rivlin, Rav Silver and Rav Birnbaum. On Fri. they toured the holy sites of Zefat and Tveria and swam in the pool of the Ariston Hotel, where they spent Shabbat. The Shabbat was full of great ruach and concluded with a Melaveh Malka on the shore of the Kineret. The Talmidim returned to the Yeshiva at 1:00 AM, tired, but in great spirits from a wonderful Shabbat.

Week of 3-9 Elul / September 3-9
Parshat Ki Teitzei

Davening: "Zrizin Makdimin!" In keeping with Chazal's statement that the prayers are in lieu of korbanot, Shacharit now begins at 6:50 AM instead of 7:00 to allow time to say birchot hashachar and korbanot b'tzibur. To further enhance appreciation of the tefillot, a brief Dvar Torah on "Iyun Tefilla" is given after davening by the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, Hamashgiach, or one of the Ramim. We hope to ultimately incorporate this series of Divrei Torah in the website.

Week of 26 Av - 2 Elul / August 27- September 2
Parshat Shoftim

Beginning of Elul Zman: Once again, the Beit Midrash resounds with the sound of Torah. Elul Zman began on Thurs., the first day of Rosh Chodesh, with the largest group of incoming talmidim in recent years, both overseas and Israeli. Most of the overseas students arrived on flights the day before, allowing them to unpack and settle in. They awoke early on Rosh Chodesh to daven at the Kotel, and spent the remainder of the morning in Yerushalayim, mostly shopping in the Geula and Meah Shearim neighborhoods. Regular shiur began on Fri. morning, and on Shabbat afternoon the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita gave a shiur klali. The Yeshiva was filled almost to capacity for Shabbat, and was enhanced by the Bar Mitzvah and Sheva Brachot of the Blachman family. On Motzei Shabbat, Avi Chermon led a lively Melave Malka of Carlebach tunes with his guitar.

Welcome to Rav Benzion Elgazi who returned from Schlichut in Antwerp, Belgium, where he served for four years as Rav of the community and Rosh Yeshiva of the Yavneh H.S. in Antwerp. He will be a Ram for the shana alef Israeli talmidim.
Best wishes for success to Rav Kalman Ber who left for a year's shlichut to Belgium and will assume the positions vacated by Rav Elgazi.
Rav Shaul Feldman is going on a two year shlichut to the United States to serve as the Rav of Bnei Akiva, and will also be teaching in the Jewish Studies programs at YU.

Mazal Tov to Rav and Rabbanit M.M. Blachman upon the marriage of their daughter Elisheva to Yitzchak Bretler, and upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son Avraham Baruch.

Mazal Tov to Nahum Zitter (shana dalet) upon his marriage to Mira Sasson.