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Week of 23-29 Av / Aug. 12-18
Parshat Re'eh

Arrival of Overseas Talmidim: Most of the overseas arrived in Israel on Wed. and Thurs. on various group flights from the United States and England. They were met at Ben-Gurion airport by the madrichim, and were brought to Yeshiva on buses to unpack and settle in.

Tveria Shabbaton: The talmidim woke up early Fri. morning, and after davening and breakfast left for a Shabbaton in Tveria. (An additional group of English students was picked up at the airport on the way.) They were accompanied by Hamashgiach Rav Rivlin, Rav Stav and Rav Katz. 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 and eager to begin the new zman.

Mazal Tov to Director Eli and Chava Klein upon the birth of a granddaughter.
Mazal Tov to Avi Feiner of the Kollel upon the birth of a son.

Week of 16-22 Av / Aug. 5-11
Parshat Eikev

While the talmidim were away for bein hazmanim, the Ramim and their families enjoyed a well-earned weekend vacation at Kibbutz Lavi.

The Yeshiva shares in the sorrow and the shock of the rest of Israel at the vicious and tragic terrorist attack in Yerushalayim.

Mazal Tov to Rav Moshe Stav upon the marriage of his son, Mordechai, to Sara Neuman.

Week of 9-15 Av / July 29 - Aug. 4
Parshat Va'etchanan

On Tisha B'Av, three fifth grade girls ran a "kaytana" in the morning and mid-afternoon for the young children of the Yeshiva, helping to occupy the youngsters and thereby ease the fast on their mothers and families.

Kollel Farewell: The Kollel held a farewell seudat mitzvah for six families who will be leaving this summer, most of whom will be assuming educational positions in other Yeshivot Hesder or high schools: Yosi Amsalem, Yair Bachar, Dani Essas, Yosi Iluz, David Shana, and Avi Shapiro. A guest lecturer spoke on the topic, "The Art of Rhetoric," in which he discussed how to speak with greater persuasive ability and showed various video clips to illustrate. Afterwards, the families gathered for a farewell seudat mitzvah, at which one of the avreichim made a siyum on Masechet Kiddushin, and the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita and Rosh Kollel spoke. We wish each of the families success at their new positions and an easy adjustment to their new locations.

Daf Yomi Siyum: Despite bein hazmanim, about twenty talmidim of Rav Benzion's Elgazi's Daf Yomi shiur returned to the Yeshiva to conclude Masechet Kiddushin and begin Masechet Bava Kamma together. They enjoyed a seudat mitzvah and also heard shiurim from Rav Aryeh Stern and Rav Tzion Luz. The Yeshiva takes great pride in the dedication of these talmidim!

IDF Chaplain Course: Six KBY avreichim concluded an intensive six-week training course to serve as military chaplains, part of the IDF Rabbinate's recent effort to utilize the Hesder students and avreichim to ugprade the spiritual and religious atmoshphere of the IDF. The course, which was open to only fifty select applicants, entailed halachic study of issues confronting chaplains, such as Shabbat and kashrut on an army base and identification of fallen soldiers, along with officer training, such as navigating and advanced gun handling. One of the KBY participants earned a mark of distinction. The participants will now be placed as chaplains in various army units.

Mazal Tov to Ze'ev Friedlander (originally of South Africa) upon his wedding to Ronya Wedcliffe.
Mazal Tov to Rosh Kollel Rav Zechariah and Rabbanit Tubi upon the bar-mitzvah of their son, Shalom. (Shalom read the maftir and Haftorah in the Yemenite tradition of his family.)
Mazal Tov to R. Sharon Yust of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter, Rachel.

Week of 2-8 Av / July 22-28
Parshat Devarim

Sof Zman Kayitz: The Yeshiva ended the zman with a special series of shiurim in Gemara, Halacha, Tanach, and Machshava relating to the nine days and Tisha B'Av. The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita delivered the concluding sicha on Tues. evening, on the topic, "Love of Money and the Destruction of the Temple," in which he discussed the proper Jewish attitude towards wealth. The zman ended Wed. morning, and the talmidim left for bein hazmanim to refresh themselves and return with renewed vigor for the beginning of Elul zman.

Many members of the Kollel took various bechinot for Rabbanut Semicha, including two members of the Kollel Dayanut who took a bechina on all of Even Ha'ezer.

Week of 24 Tammuz - 1 Av / July 15-21
Parshat Matot-Masei

"Invei Hakerem" Torah Camp: A dedicated group of 50 high school students came to KBY for a week-long camp full of learning, special activities and tiyulim. As part of the program, they heard shiurim from many of the Ramim, learned first-aid, visited Mazkeret Batya and the site of the battle between David and Goliat, heard the fascinating tale of the Ethiopian immigration from KBY's first Ethiopian Kollel member, and held a "tikkun chatzot" at the kever of Dan ben Yaakov. Many of the students expressed their desire to learn at KBY when they graduate.

Five talmidim made a joint siyum, each on a different masechta. The Yeshiva takes great pride in their accomplishments.

Rav Shlomo Levanon, the assistant Chief Rabbi of the IDF, visited the Yeshiva and gave a shiur on the topic, "The Construction of Eruvin for Field Units," in which he reviewed some of the special issues confronted by the army rabbinate in constructing eruvin.

Mazal Tov to Director Eli Klein upon the Bar Mitzvah of his grandson, Raphael.

Week of 17-23 Tammuz / July 8-14
Parshat Pinchas

On the fast of 17 Tammuz, Hamashgiach Rav Rivlin shlita delivered a sicha, "The Ominous Months of Tammuz and Av." He discussed the inherent ominous nature of these months, and the need to be particularly careful of sin in them.

Kfar Darom and Alumni Shabbaton: The Yeshiva was packed with guests this Shabbat, hosting close to 25 families (almost the entire settlement) of Kfar Darom, in the Gush Katif area , and the KBY class of Elul 5753, who completed their Hesder studies here three years ago.
The extensive program for the Kfar Darom families, who have been under constant Palestinian fire since the beginning of the violence, was arranged to provide them with both respite from their daily tensions and spiritual uplifting. It included swimming on Erev Shabbat at the pool in nearby Givat Washington; a wide array of shiurim and sichot throughout the course of Shabbat; a trip to the petting zoo in Kibbutz Yavne on Shabbat afternoon; a joint Seuda Shlishit with the families of KBY; a movie and puppet show for children, and a slide presentation about the Temple Mount for adults, on Motzei Shabbat; and a trip to the "Monkey Park" on Sun. morning. Rav Ofir Cohen, three of whose children were crippled in a bus attack half a year ago, delivered a shiur to the women on the topic of "Bitachon," strengthening and inspiring them all. As a special touch of home hospitality, the women of KBY baked cakes for Shabbat snacks. A big "Yishar Koach" to all those involved in planning and organizing the Shabbat!
The alumni, as well, enjoyed a special program of shiurim and the chance to get together with their friends and former Rebbeim.

Week of 10-16 Tammuz / July 1-7
Parshat Balak

Shabbaton at Alon Moreh: Shana dalet spent a wonderful Shabbat at the settlement of Alon Moreh, near Shechem, led by their Ram, Rav Tzion Luz, and R. Aharon Freidman of the Kollel. After traveling past Arab villages in a bullet-proof bus, they arrived at the settlement. They went up to a lookout post and were given a guided view of the surrounding area.by Yaniv Akiva, an alumnus of the Yeshiva residing in Alon Moreh.
On Leil Shabbat, they davened in the main shul, and led spirited dancing at Kabbalat Shabbat. After the seuda, some of the talmidim led Bnei Akiva groups, and later all gathered for an Oneg Shabbat with the youth of the community that continued on past midnight. On Shabbat day they held an oneg for all the community members, and heard a fascinating lecture by Beni Katzover, a pioneer in the settlement movemet, who lived first in Kiryat Arba and later moved to Alon Moreh. R. Friedman gave a shiur to the community.
The exhilirating Shabbat gave the talmidim a true sense of the importance of the settler presence in the areas settled by our anscestors, and provided the settlers with a feeling of suppot and solidarity.

Mazal Tov to Rav Yishai Buchris upon the birth of a son.
Condolences to Rav Ahron Silver upon the loss of his father.

Week of 3-9 Tammuz / June 24-30
Parshat Chukat

A Chabad representative came to the Yeshiva on 3 Tammuz for the Yahrzeit of Lubavitch Rebbe. He held a "fabrengen" with divrei Torah, chassidic teachings, songs, and food

Alumni Shabbaton: About 25 alumni, who completed their studies ten years ago, gathered with their families at the Yeshiva for an alumni Shabbaton, filling the Yeshiva with a spirit of camaraderie. They enjoyed a special program of shiurim, discussions on the past and future of KBY, and meeting their former Rebbeim, old time friends, and current talmidim. Their children also participated in specially designed activities.

Mazal Tov to Shai Walter of the Machon Lekiddush Hachodesh upon the birth of a son, Zvi Avraham.
Mazal Tov to R. Nachum Zitter of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter.
Mazal Tov to Rav Meir Orlian upon the bat-mitzvah of his daughter, Sara.

Week of 26 Sivan - 2 Tammuz / June 17-23
Parshat Korach

31st Annual Dinner: American Friends of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh held its 31st Annual Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in New York. The guests of honor were: Emanuel and Helen Adler of Teaneck, NJ; Sumner Greenberg of Quincy, MA; and Dr. Michael and Elizabeth Muschel of Monsey, NY. Dr. Kenneth Chelst of Outfield, MI, received the Yavneh V'Chachameha Award, and Rabbi Yitzchak Motechin of New York, NY, received the Young Alumnus Torah Education and Community Leadership Award. In a touching manner, each guest and awardee was presented by a colleague who was also an alumnus of the Yeshiva. The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita addressed the audience, and a new film of the Yeshiva was screened. The highly successful dinner drew over 400 guests.

The Rosh Hayeshiva spent Shabbat at Camp Moshava in Pennsylvania, where he gave shiurim and sichot about the great value and positive future of Eretz Yisrael, despite the current difficulties, strengthening and encouraging the audience greatly.

Mazal Tov to Guy Binun (Shana hey) upon his marriage to Avital.

Week of 19-25 Sivan / June 10-16
Parshat Shelach

Yehuda Shoham: The Yeshiva mourns the tragic passing of five-month old Yehuda Chaim Shoham hy"d, nephew of Itai Shoham of the Kollel. He was fatally hit in the head by stones thrown by Palestinians at the family's car while traveling home in the Shilo area, and died after a week of intensive care. Many people from the Yeshiva went to paticipate in the funeral, which began in Yerushalayim, and some continued on to the burial in Shilo. In the Yeshiva's weekly parsha sheet, Invei Hakerem, Yehuda's father wrote: "Each man would help his fellow and to his brother he would say, 'Be strong!'" My brothers, members of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. I would like to thank you from the depths of my heart for the encouragement that you give us during these difficult times, and for your significant participation in the funeral of our son Yehuda, hy"d, and for this we express our gratitude. Shabbat Gibbush: About fifty of next year's incoming Israeli students gathered together for a "Shabbat Gibush" at the Yeshiva. They had a tish on Leil Shabbat with the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita and other Ramim, as well as special shiurim during the day from Rav Tubi and the Mashgiach.

Mazal Tov to Daniel Hochauser (shana dalet) upon his marriage to Dina Frei. (Both are children of KBY alumni!)

Week of 12-18 Sivan / June 3-9
Parshat Behaalotecha

Tefillah at the Kotel: Two full buses of talmidim, plus a number of Yeshiva families in their own cars, went to participate in a massive prayer gathering at the Kotel, following the call of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu shlita, Rav Avraham Shapira shlita and many other leading Rabbanim. (So as not to lose the afternoon's learning, the Yeshiva began second seder early, to allow sufficient time before leaving for Yerushalayim.) The entire Kotel area, including the stairs leading up to the Arab shuk, was packed with men, women and youth saying Tehillim and selichot on behalf of Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael, followed by Mincha. May our prayers and learning be answered with G-d's mercy!

Neveh Zuf: The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, Rav Benzion Elgazi, and Rav Ari Katz traveled with a group of twenty-five talmidim to spend Shabbat in the settlement of Neveh Zuf, in the Shomron. They were met at the checkpoint by a bulletproof bus, which brought them to the settlement. When they arrived, they divided into groups of two or three, and went to their host families, where they ate and slept.
On Fri. night, the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita held a tish for the talmidim, which was attended by members of the community. Afterwards, the talmidim walked over with food from the tish to the army post, and spent time with the soldiers who were on duty and very happy to have their company. On Shabbat afternoon, the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita and Rav Katz gave shiurim to the community, and the talmidim ran youth groups. For Seudah Shlishit the entire community and the Yeshiva visitors gathered for a Sheva Brachot in the shul dining hall.
The Shabbat brought joy and inspiration to the families of the yishuv, especially to the children, and was a wonderful experience for the talmidim.

Mr. Eli Klein, the Director of the Yeshiva, and Mr. Urie Lieberman, Director of Public Relations, left for the United States in preparation for the 31st Annual Dinner, which will be held, G-d willing, on June 19th at the Hilton Hotel in New York.

Mazal Tov to Shaul Saraf of the Kollel upon the birth of a son, Nehorai.

Week of 5-11 Sivan / May 27 - June 2
Parshat Naso

Shavuot: The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita gave a sicha in preparation for Shavuot, "The Crown of Torah," in which he spoke about the need for a mental commitment in order to achieve keter Torah.
The Yeshiva was full for Shavuot, with many guests in addition to the talmidim and families. During the night of Shavuot, the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita gave shiur, "Lilmod U'lelamed," in which he discussed the importance of giving over what one learns, and the Mashgiach shlita gave a shiur on Sefer Ruth. After learning all night, the entire Yeshiva davened "vatikin," and then went to eat briefly and nap. Later in the afternoon, the Rosh Kollel gave a shiur, "The Mitzvah of Talmud Torah." We hope that the dedicated learning on Shavuot will serve as a positive sign for the entire year.
On the "second" night of Shavuot, a minyan of overseas students learned the entire night again.

On Fri. morning, after Shacharit, the Yeshiva said Tehillim for the recent tragedies and terrorist attacks suffered in Israel. Sections of the Beit Midrash said different parts of Tehillim, so as to recite the entire Sefer a number of times.

The Yeshiva was honored to have Maran Harishon Letzion Rav Bakshi-Doron shlita serve as "sandak" at the brit of the son of R. Eliran Avudraham of the Kollel, Shiloh. During a pause we were privileged to hear him speak about the parsha.

Kollel Shabbaton: The kollel families spent the Shabbat together at the Etz Zait hotel in Yerushalayim, close the Old City, joined by the Rosh Kollel, Rav Tubi, and Dayan Be'eri. At night, people took the opportunity to attend tishes at the courts of various Admorim. During the day there was a choice of two guided tours, one in the Old City and one in the area of Mea Shearim, and before Mincha, Dayan Be'eri gave a shiur about conversion in order to marry. The wonderful sense of unity and inspiration felt on Shabbat served to further solidify the Kollel. A big "Yishar Koach!" to the avreichim who arranged the shabbaton.

Week of 27 Iyar - 4 Sivan / May 20-26
Parshat Bamidbar

"Yom Yerushalayim:" Following Ma'ariv, the entire Yeshiva gathered for a festive seuda in the Dining Hall. Rav Shmuel Katz, the guest speaker, spoke of the miraculous victory of the Six Day War, which culminated with the reunification of the city of Yerushalayim. He described the establishment of the Yom Yerushalayim by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and reviewed the discussions of the Rabbanim of the time, based on correspondences and protocols of the various meetings, which lead to the special prayers currently said on Yom Yerushalayim.
Early in the morning, two buses of talmidim, Ramim, and Avreichim set out to daven "vatikin" at the Kotel, and returned in time to have a complete day of learning.

Blood Drive: A blood drive was held at Yeshiva, and about 70 units were donated to the Magen David Adom. (As a point of interest, it was recently mentioned on the radio that Israel uses about one-thousand units daily.)

Rav Yehoshua Cohen, author of "Kerem Yehoshua" (on derech halimud), spoke at the weekly Melave Malka. He shared with the tamidim his experience in the learning process and particularly encouraged review ("chazara"), which he emphasized is critical for success in learning.

Mazal Tov to the Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Mordechai and Rabbanit Greenberg shlita upon the birth of a grandson.
Mazal Tov to Yonatan Rubin (shana dalet) upon his marriage.

Week of 20-26 Iyar / May 13-19
Parshat Behar-Bechukotai

KBY Alumni in the News:

Professor Dov Schwartz, an alumnus of the Yeshiva, was one of two recipients of the Goldstein-Green Award for the most important recent work in Jewish thought from the Ben-Gurion University of Be'er Sheva. In his book, "Astrology and Magic in Jewish Thought during the Middle Ages," Professor Schwartz argues against the accepted convention that the Rambam's objection to magic limited the influence of Jewish philosophy in the following generations.
Three KBY alumni received important appointments in the chaplaincy of the IDF. Rav Gavriel Amshali was appointed chaplain of the Central Command; Rav Shalom Peretz of the Southern Command; and Rav Zev Levine of the Armored and Ground Forces Command. May Hashem guide them properly and give them the strength to carry out their important roles faithfully

The Kollel families enjoyed a joint Seuda Shlishit, and were joined by the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, who spoke, and the Mashgiach. Rav Tubi, the Rosh Kollel, also gave a Dvar Torah. The feeling of togetherness and the singing was inspirational to all.
On Motzei Shabbat, Rav Nachman Kahane, Rabbi of Y.I. of the Old City, and author of "Mei Menuchot" on Tosfot, spoke to the overseas talmidim at the Melave Malka about the significance of Yerushalayim. He stressed the importance of overcoming the depressed mood and scared feeling resulting from the current situation, similar to the period prior to the Six Day War, in order to properly appreciate the miracle then and the daily miracles taking place now.
Meanwhile, a group of Kollel avreichim were involved in outreach work in the nearby town of Gedera, teaching Torah to adults and celebrating a siyum masechet. The guest speaker was KBY alumnus Rav Yona Metzger, Rabbi of Northern Tel-Aviv.

Mazal Tov to Avi Dahan (shana dalet) upon his marriage to Inbal.
Mazal Tov to R. Zevi Roness of the Kollel upon the birth of a daughter, Devora Henya.

Week of 13-19 Iyar / May 6-12
Parshat Emor

Mr. Y. Yoskovitz, Maintenance Director, and Rav Michael Aharonav of the Kollel Dayanut, went to visit the Givati soldiers who are stationed in the Gush Katif-Rafiah area. They were joined by Rav Nachum Rechel, who gave machshava shiurim in the Yeshiva for many years. They encouraged the soldiers and strengthened them in their holy work of protecting the Nation and Land of Israel.

Lag Ba'omer: The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita delivered a sicha, "Treating Each Other with Respect," in honor of Lag Ba'omer, in which he discussed the severity of lashon hara. He concluded by encouraging the entire Yeshiva to buy the sefer "Chafetz Chaim" and to learn the halachot daily, in order to complete the sefer by the end of the zman. At night, after seder, all of the talmidim gathered first for a central bonfire, and then divided into smaller groups for medurot that continued into the night. Of course, the children of the Yeshiva community, who have been diligently collecting wood since after Pesach, joyously celebrated at their respective medurot.
Rav Benzion Algazi, who was on miluim (reserve duty), returned on Lag Ba'omer to visit his talmidim and made a siyum on Masechet Gittin with his Daf Yomi group. The Rosh Hayeshiva encouraged more talmidim to join the Daf Yomi, which started Masechet Kidushin, especially as preparation for next year when the Yeshiva as a whole will be studying Kidushin.

The Yeshiva was privileged to celebrate three brit ceremonies this week, including the double-brit of the twin grandsons of Yossi Goldenberg, the Yeshiva cook -- Gershon Meir and Amitzur Yisrael. In order not to "mix" the smachot with one another, Rav Rivlin gave a Dvar Torah to separate between the two ceremonies.

Mazal Tov to Rav Dovid and Rabbanit Kav upon the birth of a grandson.

Week of 6-12 Iyar / April 29 - May 5
Parshat Achrei Mot - Kedoshim

Rav Aryeh Stern visited the shana bet talmidim of the tanks corps, who just concluded their basic training, at their base.

Rav Kalman Ber, who is serving this year as the head of the Yavneh Yeshiva High School in Antwerp, returned to Kerem B'Yavneh for the week to celebrate the bar mitzvah of his son, Emanuel, at the Yeshiva.
On Motzei Shabbat, the Kaliver Rebbe of Brooklyn spoke at the Melave Malka. He then met with a large number of talmidim individually until 5:00 AM!

Mazal Tov to R. Aharon Friedman of the Kollel upon the birth of a son, Elkana.
Mazal Tov to the cook, Yossi Goldenberg, upon the birth of twin grandsons.

Week of 29 Nisan - 5 Iyar / April 22-28
Parshat Tazria-Metzora

Kayitz Zman: The talmidim returned to the Yeshiva refreshed for the beginning of kayitz zman. The Yeshiva is learning Masechet Shavuot, and is studying the fourth perek (Shevuat Ha'edut) in Iyun. The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita gave an opening shiur klali on the topic, "Shevuat Ha'edut for a Gambler," and a sicha, "The Significance of Yom Ha'atzmaut."

Yom Hazikaron/ Yom Ha'atzmaut: On Yom Hazikaron, representatives from the Yeshiva participated in memorial services for its 28 fallen soldiers at various cemeteries around the country. Of special significance this year was the loss of Rav Binyamin Herling, who was killed by Palestinian fire on Chol Hamoed Succot. In the afternoon, the Yeshiva went to recite Tehillim and Yizkor at the grave of Avraham Feldman hy"d, who is buried near the Yeshiva in the cemetery of Kibbutz Yavneh.
An night, following a festive prayer, the entire Yeshiva ate together in the Dining Hall. The Rosh Hayeshiva shlita spoke about the need for a slow, step-by-step process for the redemption. Afterwards, featured speaker Rav Shmuel Katz discussed the attitude of the Chief Rabbinate towards Yom Ha'atzmaut in its formative stages.
In the morning of Yom Ha'atzmaut, the Yeshiva went on a tiyul to Mazkeret Batya, and learned about the dispute over Shemita at the time of Israel's independence. They continued on to the air base at Tel Nof, where they observed the annual air show. In the afternoon there were shiurim related to Yom Ha'atzmaut.

Shiurim continued as usual on Erev Shabbat, and the Yeshiva was full for the first Shabbat of the zman. Rav Blachman was here for Shabbat and held a tish.

Bruchim Habaim to the fourth year students who returned from their active tour of army service.
Mazal Tov to Rachel Krantman of the office upon the birth of a granddaughter.

Week of 22-28 Nisan / April 15-21
Parshat Shemini

IKHS Convention: Close to 200 people gathered at KBY for the fifth convention of the Yeshiva's Institute for Kiddush Hachodesh Studies (IKHS), dedicated to the theme, "Mitzvot in Time and Space." Among the topics discussed were, observing Shabbat in the Arctic Circle, fulfilling mitzvot in outer space, and the international dateline. In addition to the lectures, there was a video presentation on Torah and astronomy, a display and sale of books and computer programs related to the Jewish calendar and Kiddush Hachodesh (including the inaugural issue of Yodei Bina -- see below), and a question and answer session of halachic questions relating to the time and place of mitzvot. Among the future plans of the IKHS is a permanent exhibit at the Yeshiva on the subject of Kiddush Hachodesh which will be open to visitors and schools. A great "Yishar Koach" to R. Shai Walter who developed and coordinates the IKHS and organized the convention. The IKHS, which is based in the Yeshiva, is another fine example of the pioneering role KBY plays in the realm of Torah education.

Tiyul to Golan: The overseas students spent three days (including Shabbat) in the Golan, accompanied by the Mashgiach, Rav Avraham Rivlin, Rav Stav, and the madrichim. Based in the Midreshet Hagolan and Yeshivat Hesder at Chispin, the bochurim enjoyed quite a varied program of activities, including, a water hike through Nachal Yedidya and Nachal Devorah, kayaking on the Jordan River, a visit to the Tel Saki war bunker and a movie about the tank battle at Tel Saki, a visit to the Golan Winery, mountain biking, and a barbecue at Kibbutz Habashan. They returned from this educational and highly enjoyable tiyul on Motzei Shabbat to begin the new zman fresh and inspired!

Meanwhile, in continuation with its efforts to identify with and to strengthen the spirits of the residents of YESHA, the Yeshiva made its facilities available on Shabbat to sixty girls from the Tzvia High School in Ma'aleh Adumim.

New Publications: Three new KBY publications became available just after Pesach:

The Adar 5761 volume of the semi-annual Belechtecha Baderech, containing Divrei Torah by the staff and talmidim of the Yeshiva, edited by R. Netanel Berkovitz and Rav Yishai Sofer
Volume I of Yodei Bina, the first digest of its kind, containing articles by a wide variety of noted Rabbanim, authors, and scientists on issues of Kiddush Hachodesh and Jewish Astronomy, edited by R. Shai Walter
"At this Holy Site" 5760, containing Divrei Torah by talmidim that were published last year on the website of KBY, edited by Rav Meir Orlian.

The Yeshiva is extremely proud of its share "lehagdil Torah u'lehaadira." A limited number of these sefarim may be purchased through the Yeshiva office.

Condolences to talmid, Yair Agiv, upon the loss of his father.

Week of 1-7 Nisan / March 25-31
Parshat Vayikra
Week of 8-14 Nisan / April 1-7
Parshat Tzav
Week of 15-21 Nisan / April 8-14
Shabbat Pesach

Bein Hazmanim: The talmidim, Ramim and staff are enjoying a well deserved bein hazmanim break. The second year Israeli talmidim began their active service in the army, and some of the third year talmidim have concluded their service, and will be returning to the Yeshiva in the beginning of kayitz zman. The Yeshiva will resume on Sunday, 29 Nisan (April 22), and will learn Masechet Shavuot during the kayitz zman.

Rav Dovid Kav shlita gave the Shabbat Hagadol drasha to the Yeshiva community on the topic, "Lifnei Iver on Mitzvot Aseh."

Pesach Hotel: Once again, the Yeshiva ran a "Pesach Hotel" for over 300 guests. The two weeks prior to Pesach involved extensive preparations for the event: kashering the kitchen, painting the rooms, cleaning the Batei Midrash and classrooms, and organizing the program of activities, led this year by Rav Aryeh Stern. In addition, Rav Rubinstein led two groups of avreichim to the nearby matzoh factory at Yad Binyamin to bake hand and machine matzot for use over Pesach. The Yeshiva cook, Yossie Goldenberg, prepared three meals a day of fine cuisine. The extensive program included daily shiurim, trips, and entertainment; activities and youth groups for the children; and, above all, a great sense of congenial togetherness of the guests, many of whom return annually.

Mazal Tov to Achimeir Kallah of the Kollel upon the birth of a son, Avichai.