At a multigenerational event on Thanksgiving morning, the fifth-grade talmidim at Yeshiva of South Shore celebrated their haschalas Gemara. The boys were joined by their fathers and grandfathers for an inspiring morning that included a festive breakfast and special learning program. The talmidim reached this milestone under the guidance of their rebbeim–Rabbi Scharhon, Rabbi Steinharter, and Rabbi Burger.
Rabbi Chanina Herzberg, menahel ha’yeshiva, welcomed the crowd. The event also featured a dvar Torah from Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, rosh yeshiva, who spoke about the joy of his father, Rav Binyamin, zt’l, at events such as this one. Three talmidim–Avi Slomnicki, Elazar Schwartz, and Yechiel Livshits–captivated the audience with beautiful divrei Torah and insights into their personal experiences in learning Gemara.
Rabbi Eliezer Feuer, the rav of YIWB-Sha’ar HaShamayim, gave the keynote address. He imparted the theme that when one begins a journey with good intentions, the Ribbono shel Olam will always be there to help him along. He charged the boys with a mission to forever grow in their learning and strive to finish all of Shas one day.
The highlight of the event was when the boys showcased their musical talents with a performance of Abie Rotenberg’s famous song “Lulei Sorascha.” The boys sang beautifully, accompanied by Rabbi Shlomo Drebin, the program coordinator. Soloists included Moshe Baron, Moshe Farkas, Yeshaya Grunstein, Eliezer Kamenetzky, Eliyahu Kramer, Ezra Shilo, Sruly Siegel, and Binny Szlafrok.
The event was dedicated in memory of Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt’l, YOSS’s founder and former rosh yeshiva. Rabbi Kamenetzky noted that by establishing the yeshiva, his father set the Torah foundation for generations of Five Towns families. Announcing the Legacy Campaign that will highlight continued growth and renewal in memory of the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Kamenetzky invited the three generations to join the mission to keep the great legacy thriving.
At the close of the event, the rebbeim presented each talmid with a personalized shtender and a photo memento to mark the occasion. Four sets of Shas were also awarded to lucky raffle winners.
Rav Mordechai said, “Today is the first step on a journey of your own legacy of Torah study. Mazal tov!”