Yad Vashem –
Wednesday, Dec. 19th
On the fast of “Asarat BeTevet” we had our annual visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Yerushalayim.  The boys had a guided tour of the museum, which gave more insight into the history, emotions, and life during the Holocaust.

An Exclusive showing of “The Lonely Man of Faith” – Thursday, Dec. 20th
The students and faculty of Lev HaTorah were privileged to see an exclusive showing of the up and coming film “The Lonely Man of Faith.”  The film portrays the life and times of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, a giant of Torah whose influence plays a big role in the Yeshiva.  The students commented after the film, that although they have heard much about the Rav Z”L, they truly did not know much about him. After watching the film they gained a greater appreciation of the Rav and all of his accomplishments in the world of Torah, education, and Jewish thought.  Following the film, Dr. Popper (Dr. Kallus’ father in-law) spoke about his personal experiences with the Rav.  

Meah Shearim Shabbaton – Shabbat Vayechi
Talmidim enjoyed a truly “out of this world” Shabbat experience in Meah Shearim.  The boys experienced a Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv in Karlin Stolin, famous for there unique style of davening.  Everyone was invited for the Friday night dinner at various Karlin Stoliner Chassidim.  It was a tremendous experience to have a meal with a Chassidish family in Meah Shearim.  After the meal, we enjoyed the various Tischn’ around Mea Shearim especially Toldot Aharon, where hundreds of Chassidim packed in for a Tisch with the Rebbe.   Shabbat morning, a group of boys led by DZed Newman went to Rav Avigdor Nevenzhal shlita (the Rav of the Old City) for vatkin at the Kotel, followed by a Kiddush in the home of Rav Nevenzhal shlita.  After Shabbat, the boys went to Rav Tzvi Meir Zilverberg shlita for an awesome Seudat Shlishit filled with song, and divrei Torah.

Shana Bet Tzfat Shabbaton – Shabbat Vayechi
The Shana Bet Talmidim spent a very special Shabbat together in Tzfat.  Rav Jake Vidomlanski, Rav Fass, Rav Kwalwasser, and their families joined the boys for Shabbat.  Shabbat began with an uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat at the famous Breslov Shul.  The power outage in the hotel contributed to a powerful unforgettable candle lit tisch.  The Shabbat was a real bonding experience amongst the Shana bet talmidim and their Rabbeim.

Sderot, A day of solidarity and inspiration – Thursday Dec. 27th
Our Yeshiva had the merit of spending a day of Solidarity and inspiration in Sderot, a western Negev city battered by Kassam rockets.  Our guide, Noam Bedin, director and founder of the Sderot Media Center, briefed us at the Police Station, where all the fallen Kassams are stashed, about the serious situation in Sderot.  It was fascinating learning about the Kassams, and how the size and sophistications of the rockets gets greater as time moves on.  We even saw rockets that fell merely the day before our visit.  Noam then took us to a house directly hit by a rocket; we met the family and shared as much as we can with their pain over the destruction that is happening.  One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the local elementary school which was hit by a rocket a week before.   It was very special seeing the smiles on the faces of children who grow up under a constant fear of rockets.  The day ended with a trip to the Yeshivat Hesder in Sderot.  The Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Dovid Fendel, originally from West Hempstead NY shared his vision of Sderot becoming a center of Torah, and a city thriving with Yahadut.  It was a day we will never forget.  Click here for pictures.  

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