Tammuz 5771 - July 2011
Dear Talmid,
How does one comfort a mourner for a loss suffered almost two thousand years ago?
You, like every Jew, are a mourner during these three weeks for the destruction of Yerushalayim and the Beit Hamikdash.
We can all find some comfort in the fact that Yerushalayim still serves as a sacred magnet drawing Jews who seek a spiritual surge in their lives.
For the past forty years many of these seekers have found what they were looking for at Ohr Somayach. Along with thousands of others who had the privilege of spending some time at the yeshiva you are a part of this history. It is gratifying to see how many of our talmidim have succeeded in life and how many have provided us with the support we need to serve another generation.
In our Alumni Update you will read about some examples of this spirit of gratitude which should serve as an inspiration for us all.
Alumni Update
The special sense of identification of two alumni with the yeshiva in which they learned, and in which they now teach, found expression in two dedication ceremonies which recently took place at Ohr Somayach in Yerushalayim.
- The Intermediate Program headed by alumnus Rabbi Avraham Rockmill was dedicated in memory of Mrs Nelly Worgelt ז"ל, the mother of Rabbi Aryeh Burnham, a rebbi in the program whose substantial gift made this dedication possible.
- The Lauffer Auditorium dedication on July 12th marked the renewed use of this beautifully renovated facility. Rabbi Reuven Lauffer, an outstanding rebbi in the Shoresh program whose classes are held in this area, delivered a moving talk about his mother ז"ל whose family made possible this much needed renovation of a facility which has served so many newcomers.
Publications
- A booklet has been published by the yeshiva called "Mah Tov Chelkeinu", a collection in Ivrit of what Torah giants throughout the generations have said about the obligation to be involved in "kiruv rechokim" and the great reward due to those who are involved.
- The YESOD department of Ohr Somayach has published two collections of Divrei Torah from teachers and talmidim, "Power Vorts on the Parsha" and "Your Portion of Power – Shavuos Torah"
- A new sefer by Ohr Lagolah alumnus David Lister joins the dozens of sefarim and books authored by former talmidim. "Intergalactic Judaism" is an analysis of Torah concepts based on discoveries in space exploration, physics and biology. For more details see www.intergalacticjudaism.com
Ohr Lagolah Kiruv Seminar for Bnei Torah.
This annual event which will be held as usual on the Fast of 17 Tammuz is expected to attract hundreds of Bnei Torah to hear inspiring and illuminating talks on kiruv from the Roshei Yeshiva and the Rabbonim teaching in the Ohr Lagolah program preparing teachers and outreach professionals for the Diaspora. You can download a schedule here.
Siyum on Mesechta Berochos
A siyum on Mesechta Berochos by a dozen talmidim of the CENTER Program took place on July 9th with the participation of the Rosh Hayeshiva.
Summer Programs
Success in kiruv was the exciting result of the various summer programs (JLE, Hasbarah, J-Internship and PERI) which brought well over a hundred young men for learning and touring. Almost all of the participants made great progress in their commitment to Judaism and some extended their stay in order to learn in the yeshiva.
Mentors Mission
Mentors Mission brought alumni and other businessmen and professionals from New York, Chicago, Lakewood, Monsey, Toronto, Montreal, Baltimore and Scranton to Ohr Somayach on June 29th for a five-day experience of learning with participants of the above-mentioned programs and developing relationships with them which will carry on beyond their stay in Israel.
A highlight of the Mentors Mission was the SIYUM celebration of two outstanding talmidim from the past and the present. Alumnus Menachem Horowitz made a siyum on all of Shas and current talmid Yonah Dov Rose on Mesechta Bava Basra which has been learned in the yeshiva during the past year. The mentors also heard an address by the Rosh Hayeshiva and some remarks from a JLE participant.
And In Conclusion
May you soon join us in welcoming Moshiach and together celebrate the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash.
Rabbi Mendel Weinbach | Rabbi Nota Schiller
Roshei Hayeshiva
