Lev HaTorah Update - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

‫בס“ד‬
Turning Visions
into Reality
‫התורה‬
‫ישיבת‬
Lev HaTorahUpdate
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah
M a r ch
2 0 0 9
A d a r
5 7 6 9
A Message from the Rosh Yeshiva
‫חמָיו‬
ֲ ‫תמְנּו כ ִי ֹלא כ ָלּו ר‬
ָ ‫חסְדי ה’ כ ִי ֹלא‬
ַ
‫חדָׁשִים לַבְקרים רבָה אֱמּונָתֶך‬
ֲ
‫כ”ג‬-‫ כ”ב‬,‫איכה ג‬
“Hashem’s kindness surely has not ended, nor His mercies exhausted.
They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness!”
M
iracles happen.
We all watched spellbound as nine months of
construction gave birth to the first building on Lev HaTorah’s
new campus. In the last year we witnessed a bare mountain
become a vibrant community, home to three married alumni
and ten of our Rabbanim! Our dreams have unfolded before
our very eyes!
As we grow physically we continue to strive toward
greater spiritual heights. Lev HaTorah has proudly launched
an innovative Educators Semicha program to help shape the
face of tomorrow’s Torah leaders. Our current facility proudly
serves the Ramat Shilo community hosting shiurim, daily and
Shabbat minyanim, parent-son learning and other communal
events! The vision of alumni maintaining a second home at
the yeshiva is happening. A constant flow of bogrim fills the
yeshiva on Shabbatot and Chagim with record breaking
numbers joining us for Yamim Noraim and winter break.
B’chasdei Hashem, there is always room for everyone!
We still have much to build. We invite and welcome even
more bogrim to ‘return and learn,’ rejuvenating themselves
spiritually and strengthening our Beit Midrash. At the same
time, bli ayin hara, our spacious ‘temporary’ Beit Midrash is
already nearing capacity and we anxiously await construction
of the main building!
Lev HaTorah’s
Chanukat Habayit
Celebrating the Inauguration of
our New Building
O
n the fourth night of Chanuka, the holiday of miracles, the
Yeshiva Community celebrated its own miracle, the completion
of the first stage of the Lev HaTorah campus. Over 200 people, including
students, staff, alumni, community members, and supporters, participated
in the momentous occasion of our Chanukat Habayit.
continued on page 7
We thank Hashem for seven good years of growth and
prosperity. Our gratitude extends to our friends and partners
whose support has made it all possible.
B’vracha,
Rav Boaz Mori
Rosh Yeshivat Lev HaTorah
page 7
1
Lev HaTorah Update
A Journey of
Vision and Faith
May
September
I
n recognition of our
educational success, the
city council of Beit Shemesh
grants Lev HaTorah a five
dunam parcel of land for
our future campus. The
land is located at the heart
of a planned residential
neighborhood, with
the goal of the Yeshiva
occupying a central role in
the community’s life.
2005
2002
Y
eshivat Lev HaTorah opens its doors to 17
students, offering a small staff and limited
facilities but big goals for the future.
‫חמָיו‬
ֲ ‫תמְנּו כ ִי ֹלא כ ָלּו ר‬
ָ ‫חַסְדי ה’ כ ִי ֹלא‬
‫חדָׁשִים לַבְקרים רבָה אֱמּונָתֶך‬
ֲ
‫כ”ג‬-‫ כ”ב‬,‫איכה ג‬
February
Future
Campus
Plans
2007
Phase II: Complete the interior
top two floors of the current
building to accommodate the
Yeshiva’s dormitories.
T
he staff and students of Lev HaTorah gather
to witness the pouring of the foundations for
the building. The four-story structure, designed
to ultimately serve as the Yeshiva’s dormitory,
will also temporarily house its Beit Midrash,
classrooms, and dining hall.
Phase III: Development of the
campus grounds, including a
covered basketball court and
landscaping.
Phase IV: Build the Beit Midrash
complex to house the Blumenfeld
Beit Midrash, classrooms, library,
offices, and dining hall.
C
onstruction on the
Ramat Shilo (Shchunat
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah)
neighborhood begins. The
area is designed for almost
400 families.
September
2006
September
For dedication
opportunities, please
contact Rav Binyamin
Kwalwasser at
[email protected]
2008
T
he current student body and
staff of Yeshivat Lev HaTorah
gather together for the first tefila in
our new Beit Midrash.
Lev HaTorah Update
2
3
Lev HaTorah Update
T h a n k
•
y o u
t o
 Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Berman 
•
o u r
Master Builders  Mr. Avi z”l and Mrs. Lois Blumenfeld 
Dear supporters
W
ith your help, we
have turned visions into
reality.
Your generosity has
enabled us to construct
our new building,
organize an entire
residential community,
and expand our
educational efforts with
our new Educators’
Program.
We so greatly appreciate
your partnership in
our educational and
communal endeavors.
With many more dreams
to be realized, we look
forward to sharing in
the simcha of achieving
many more milestones
together.
Sincerely,
•
R’ Benjy Kwalwasser
Mashgiach Ruchani
Current Lev HaTorah Partners
s u p p o r t e r s
 Mr. and Mrs. Alan Goldberg 
 Mr. and Mrs. Judah Schorr 
Mr. Ayal Kellman
Mr. Avi Lasko
Mr. Reuven Lebovitz
Mr. Dov Lerner
Mr. Mickey Levine
Mr. Rafi Levine
Mr. Brian Linder
Mr. Marc Merrill
Mr. Michael Porcelain
Mr. Ari Price
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Rosenzweig
Mr. Aaron Ross
Mr. Daniel Sacks
Mr. Natan Santacruz
Mr. and Mrs. Benzion Shamberg
Mr. Scott Shulman
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Silverman
Mr. Zach Stern
Mr. and Mrs. Dani Vanderwalde
Mr. Matt Weiss
Mr. Eric Wittenberg
Mr. Gavriel Zeitlin
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Abraham
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Adler
Mr. and Mrs. Zev Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Berkowitz
Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Bodlander
Mr. Daniel Elovic
Mr. and Mrs. David Epstein
Mr. and Mrs. Kostia Feldman
Mr. and Mrs. Zach Grosser
Mr. Simcha Haber
Dr. and Mrs. Harold Hefter
The Kellman family
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kurtzer
Rabbi and Mrs. Porcelain
Mr. Ari Price
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Rich
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Rosenzweig
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Santacruz
Mr. and Mrs. Benzion Shamberg
Rabbi and Mrs. Michael Siev
Prof. and Mrs. Harvey Sober
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Stein
Dr. and Mrs. Paul White
Mr. Scott Wittenberg
Drs. Stuart and Loren Zakem
Mr. Gavriel Zeitlin
Thank you to
our supporters
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Abraham
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abramowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Adler
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Adler
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Adler
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Agi
Mr. and Mrs. Yudi Akselrud
Mr. and Mrs. Jody Alter
Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Ambinder
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Anhalt
Mrs. Beverly Anker
Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold Appelbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Atkin
Drs. Adrian Dobs and Marty Auster
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Bank
Dr. and Mrs. Jody Bardash
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barenholtz
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Baron
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Becker
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bender
Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Benjamin
Mr. and Mrs. David Berkowitz
Alumni Supporters
Mr. Daniel Abraham
Mr. Judah Abraham
Mr. Jacob Agi
Mr. and Mrs. Aryeh Altshul
Mr. Yosef Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Zev Baker
Mr. Benjamin Berman
Mr. Ehud Cohen
Mr. Daniel Elovic
Mr. and Mrs. David Epstein
Mr. Yoni Garellek
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goodhardt
Mr. and Mrs. Zach Grosser
Mr. Simcha Haber
Mr. Danny Hadar
Mr. Naftali Hirschberg
Mr. and Mrs. David Hoffman
4
Lev HaTorah Update
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Berkowitz
Mr. and Mrs. William Berlin
Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Berman
Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Berman
Mr. and Mrs. David Bersson
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bersson
Rabbi and Mrs. Jack Bieler
Mr. and Mrs. Avraham Bindell
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Blatt
Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Bodlander
Mr. and Mrs. George Bornstein
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Brafman
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Brandstatter
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Burian
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Chazen
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Avi Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cohen
Dr. and Mrs. Meyer Cohen
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Danto
Rabbi and Mrs. Judah Dardik
Dr. and Mrs. Orrin Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Dickstein
Mr. Jeffrey Druckman and Ms.
Erica Goldman
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Eckman
Mr. and Mrs. Lenny Eis
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Eisenman
Mr. and Mrs. Irving Eisenman
Dr. and Mrs. Yehuda Eliezri
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Elkins
Mr. and Mrs. Josh Epstein
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Esterson
Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Farber
Mr. and Mrs. Zvi Feigenbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fein
Mr. and Mrs. Kostia Feldman
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Feldman
Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fine
Mr. and Mrs. Perry Finkelman
Ms. Marion Fishman
Dr. and Mrs. Carey Fredman
Ms. Ilya Freydina
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fried
Dr. and Mrs. Myron Friedman
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Friedman
Thank You
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Fuld
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fuld
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gdanski
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Geller
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glass
Mr. and Mrs. Motty Glucksman
Rabbi and Mrs. Rami Goldberg
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Goldberg
Mr. Jeffrey Goldberg
Drs. Margaret Ravits and Mark
Goldfarb
Mr. and Mrs. David Goldstein
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Goldstein
Mr. and Mrs. Ilan Goldstein
Dr. and Mrs. Gilad Greenberg
Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Greenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grosser
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Grundman
Mr. and Mrs. Irv Hackel
Mr. Eric Hackel
Mr. and Mrs. Mordy Hackel
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hartstein
Mr. and Mrs. Kalman Hartstein
Rabbi and Mrs. Pinchos Hecht
Dr. and Mrs. Harold Hefter
Mrs. Joyce Heller
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hertzberg
Ms. Frederica Herzfeld
Ms. Hanna Hochster
Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Hoffman
Drs. Michael and Marianna Horn
Dr. and Mrs. Irving Isakow
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Ives
Mr. and Mrs. Shalom Jacob
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jacobson
Mr. and Mrs. Hillel Jaffe
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jonas
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kalish
Dr. and Mrs. David Kallus
Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Kaplan
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kastner
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Katz
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Katz
Mr. Daniel Keebler
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Keiser
Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Kellman
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Kesselman
•
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Kipper
Dr. and Mrs. Steve Kirshblum
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kirshenbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Klein
Dr. and Mrs. David Koplon
Mr. and Mrs. David Koschitzky
Mr. and Mrs. Saul Koschitzky
Rabbi and Mrs. Ira Kosowsky
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Krasna
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kushner
Mr. and Mrs. Avi Kwalwasser
Rabbi and Mrs. Gene Kwalwasser
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lasko
Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Last
Dr. and Mrs. Edo Lavi
Mr. and Mrs. Laibel Layman
Dr. and Mrs. Allan Lebowitz
Drs. Moshe and Marilyn Levi
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Levine
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Levy
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Liberman
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Lichtenstein
Dr. and Mrs. Barry Lifschitz
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Loeser
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Marder
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Margolies
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Margolies
Mr. and Mrs. David Maslow
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Merrill
Drs. Barry and Hillary Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Mitzner
Drs. Mark and Galina Moerdler
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Tamir Mori
Dr. and Mrs. Zev Munk
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nutis
Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Oppenheim
Dr. and Mrs. Harold Parnes
Rabbi Yehuda Pearl
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Perlmutter
Mr. Ely Pinto
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Polack
Rabbi and Mrs. Glenn Porcelain
Mr. and Mrs. David Radunsky
Mr. and Mrs. William Rapfogel
Mr. and Mrs. William Rappoport
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rauch
Mr. and Mrs. Ely Razin
Ms. Evelyn Reichenthal
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Reuben
Ms. Vera Revesz
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Rich
Dr. and Mrs. Ari Robicsek
Dr. and Mrs. Leslie Robicsek
Mr. and Mrs. Donny Rose
Dr. and Mrs. Gary Rosenbaum
Rabbi and Mrs. Yehuda Rosenbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rosenberg
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenblatt
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rosenfelt
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rosenzweig
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Rosin
Mr. and Mrs. Ian Rosmarin
Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Ross
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Rothman
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Rothner
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Sacks
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Santacruz
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Schabes
Drs. Patrice and Marc Schoenbrun
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Schreiber
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Schwarcz
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Schwartz
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwartz
Mr. and Mrs. Ushie Selevan
Mr. and Mrs. Yosseph Shachnovitz
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Shmunis
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Shulman
Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Shuter
Rabbi and Mrs. Joseph Siev
Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Simpser
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Singer
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Sklar
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sklar
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Sklar
Mr. and Mrs. Ilan Slasky
Mr. Russel Small
Prof. and Mrs. Brian Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
Prof. and Mrs. Harvey Sober
Mr. and Mrs. Loren Spigelman
Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Staiman
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Stefansky
5
Lev HaTorah Update
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Stern
Dr. and Mrs. Victor Stiebel
Dr. and Mrs. Jason Suss
Mr. and Mrs. Isidore Tauber
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Tuchman
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Tuchman
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Vanderwalde
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Vatenmakher
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wasser
Rabbi and Mrs. Daniel Wasserman
Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Weglein
Mr. Meir Weingarten-Ariel Tours
Mr. and Mrs. Mattes Weingast
Dr. Claire Ellen Weinstein
Mr. and Mrs. Baruch Weinstein
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Weissler
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Weprin
Dr. Justin Weprin
Ms. Irene Wexler
Dr. and Mrs. Paul White
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wiener
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wimpfheimer
Mr. and Mrs. Jan Wimpfheimer
Mr. Scott Wittenberg
Ms. Cindy Wodinsky
Mr. and Mrs. Simon Wolf
Prof. and Mrs. Michael Wolfe
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Wolinsky
Mr. and Mrs. Elan Yaish
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Zagha
Drs. Stuart and Loren Zakem
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Zeifman
Mrs. Sylvia Zeifman
Mr. Alan z”l and Mrs. Lenore
Zelinger
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Zucker
Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Zwany
•
TurningVisions
intoReality
‫אז אגמור בשיר מזמור‬
Chanukat HaBayit Sponsors
Etz Chaim Sponsorship
Platinum
 Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Berkowitz
 Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Tuchman
continued from page1
 Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Adler  Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fine  Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Fuld  Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fuld
 Mr. and Mrs. Ilan Goldstein  Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Last  Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lax  Prof. and Mrs. Brian Smith
 Mr. and Mrs. Marc Stein  Mr. and Mrs. Ely Razin 
Gold
 Mr. and Mrs. Barry Bank  Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Blatt  Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Brafman  Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Kaplan
 Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Katz  Mr. and Mrs. Laibel Layman  Drs. Moshe and Marilyn Levi  Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Lichtenstein
 Rabbi and Mrs. Michael Siev  Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Staiman  Mr. and Mrs. Mattes Weingast
Silver
 Mr. and Mrs. Leo Brandstatter  Dr. and Mrs. Yehudah Eliezri  Mr. and Mrs. Gary Elkins  Mr. and Mrs. Josh Epstein
 Mr. and Mrs. Adam Frieberg  Dr. and Mrs. Myron Friedman  Mr. and Mrs. Hillel Jaffe  Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kirshenbaum
 Mr. and Mrs. David Maslow  Dr. and Mrs. Harold Parnes  Mr. Ely Pinto  Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Santacruz
 Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Shuter  Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Simpser  Drs. Stuart and Loren Zakem
Contributors
 Mr. Daniel Abraham
 Mr. Judah Abraham
 Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Adler
 Mr. and Mrs. Yudi Akselrud
 Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold Appelbaum
 Drs. Adrian Dobs and Marty Auster
 Mr. Yosef Baker
 Mr. and Mrs. Zev Baker
 Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Berenholz
 Mr. and Mrs. Avi Cohen
 Mr. and Mrs. David Cohen
 Mr. Ehud Cohen
 Dr. and Mrs. Meyer Cohen
 Ms. Debbie Fisch
 Ms. Marion Fishman
 Dr. and Mrs. Carey Fredman
 Mr. and Mrs. Allan Freedman
 Dr. and Mrs. Gilad Greenberg
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glass
 Rabbi and Mrs. Rami Goldberg
 Mr. and Mrs. Steven Goldberg
 Mr. and Mrs. David Goldstein
 Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Goldstein
 Mr. and Mrs. Martin Goldstein
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grosser
 Mr. and Mrs. Mordy Hackel
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Harris
 Ms. Frederica Herzfeld
 Ms. Hanna Hochster
 Mr. and Mrs. Shalom Jacob
 Rabbi and Mrs. Avery Joel
 Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kalish
 Mr. and Mrs. Gary Katz
 Mr. Daniel Keebler
 Mr. Elan Kirshenbaum
 Dr. and Mrs. David Koplon
 Mr. and Mrs. Gary Krasna
 Dr. and Mrs. Allan Lebovitz
 Mr. and Mrs. Alden Leifer
 Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Liberman
 Mr. Brian Linder
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lipstein
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Margolies
 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Merrill
 Mr. Marc Merrill
 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller
 Mr. and Mrs. David Morris
 Mr. and Mrs. David Pollack
 Mr. Michael Porcelain
 Mr. and Mrs. William Rappoport
 Dr. and Mrs. Ari Robicsek
 Ms. Evelyn Reichenthal
 Ms. Mindy Rogoff
 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rosenfelt
6
Lev HaTorah Update
 Ms. Sarah Santacruz
 Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Schreiber
 Mr. Yaakov Seligman
 Mr. Logan Singman
 Mr. and Mrs. Loren Spigelman
 Mr. and Mrs. Sam Stern
 Dr. and Mrs. Victor Stiebel
 Mr. and Mrs. Dani Vanderwalde
 Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Vanderwalde
 Mr. and Mrs. Gary Vatenmakher
 Mr. and Mrs. Harold Weissler
 Ms. Irene Wexler
 Mr. and Mrs. Steven White
 Mr. Eric Wittenberg
 Ms. Cindy Wodinsky
“The new
building
will enable us
to impact
Am Yisrael
even more
powerfully
than ever”
7
Lev HaTorah Update
In an emotional opening
speech Rav Kwalwasser described the unfolding miracle of
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, from the
uncertain early days when we
were energized by vision alone,
to the current fulfillment of those
dreams with over two hundred
alumni and a campus of our own.
“The new building will enable us
to impact Am Yisrael even more
powerfully than ever,” he said.
Rav Boaz eloquently recognized all of the many individuals who enabled
us to thrive and accomplish our goals. “The Yeshiva depends on two
types of supporters: those who are able to financially help us with
the physical process of building a campus, and our alumni, who build
the character of the Yeshiva with their enthusiasm,
warmth, and dedication.”
Beit Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbul and Council
Member Shalom Lerner expressed the city’s pride in
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah and their commitment to aiding
our continued growth. Rav Mordechai Machlis ended
the formal program by describing the uniqueness of the
Yeshiva: “Our challenge on Chanuka is for each of us to find
the ner, that special unique spiritual flame within. Yeshivat
Lev HaTorah enables each of its students to find that fire.”
In traditional Lev HaTorah style, guests, students, and
alumni joined together in joyous dancing and singing. Joey
Goldstein, a current student at Lev HaTorah reflected: “Seeing so many
people that the Yeshiva has touched gather together and celebrate makes
me appreciate even more what an amazing Yeshiva this is!”
Not Just another
Carnival
Lev HaTorah brings
a little light to the
darkness of war
Lev HaTorah’s solidarity project brings
smiles to the faces of children from the
rocket-battered South
the local chessed organization, and together they developed a
A
sense of our solidarity and concern for them.
riel, a 9-year-old from Shomriya, a town in southern
Israel, has lived a life of upheaval. As a one-year
old, he was injured by shrapnel from a mortar directed at his
community in Gush Katif. He recovered, only to experience
the trauma of the disengagement from Gaza in 2005. He and
his family were sent to a resettlement site in the south, hoping
to rebuild their lives in peace. As Operation Cast Lead began,
that peace was shattered once more by the waves of kassams
and mortars launched by Hamas. In order to preserve some
semblance of normalcy, his school began bussing its students,
along with over 1000 other school children, to community
centers in Beit Shemesh to continue their schooling in safety.
Meanwhile, students and staff at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah searched
for meaningful ways to respond to the turmoil and fear
experienced by so many of our fellow Jews in the South. While
intensified prayers, Tehilim recitals, and additional learning were
important responses, Jesse Nowlin, a shana-aleph student at
Lev HaTorah, felt strongly that the situation required action
as well. But what? How could 70 enthusiastic American
students make an impact on a situation so far beyond
their control?
Jesse consulted with Rav Mordechai Kaplan, Lev
HaTorah’s Director of Student Activities and Lema’an Achai,
8
Lev HaTorah Update
concrete plan. They would organize an exciting carnival for these
displaced school children, lifting their morale and giving them a
In a matter of days, the students and Rav Mo planned dozens of
activities, from inflatable “moon walks”, carnival games, popcorn,
cotton candy, a band complete with a sound system and lunch
for over 300 people. Jesse used his organizational talents to raise
additional money to help fund the program from the students of
JEC, Maayanot, and TABC in New Jersey. In the organizational
meeting before the carnival, Rav Mordechai emphasized that the
goal of the carnival was not just an opportunity to have fun; its
main purpose was to give these children warmth and love, to let
them know that Am Yisrael cares.”
On the day of the carnival, the Ramat Beit Shemesh community
center bustled with kids full of smiles and laughter. For a few brief
moments, Ariel and his friends forgot about the sound of the air
raid siren, and were able to just be children having fun.
As the program wound to a close, the Lev HaTorah band
began playing upbeat Jewish music. Everyone rose to their
feet, and the entire crowd began to dance. As the children
danced and rode on the shoulders of the Lev HaTorah
students, the feelings that had been just beneath the
surface throughout the day burst forth. The love between
brothers filled the room. As we danced and sang with the
children, we felt that we had brought a little light to the
darkness of war.
9
Lev HaTorah Update
MM a z a ll TT oo vv!
Shammai (‘04) and Adi (Gurewicz) Cylich
Rav and Mrs. Copperman on the birth of a
daughter, Roni
Jason (‘03) and Lindsay (Smilow) Eisenman
Rav Asher and Miriam Friedman on the
birth of a son, Akivah Chananya Tzvi
Ephrayim and Miriam Naiman on the
marriage of their son, Akiva to Chani (Segal)
Rav Yehoshua and Batsheva Fass on the birth
of a son, Yosef Levi
Ephrayim and Miriam Naiman on the
marriage of their daughter, Shoshana to
Eliyahu Haschel
Rav Mickey and Rena Siev on the birth of a
son, Asher
Yair (’04-’05) and Faigy Reuben on the birth
of a son, Avinoam Aaron
David (’03) and Miriam Epstein on the birth
of a daughter, Zimra Temima
Spencer (’04-’05) and Deena Silverman on
the birth of a son, Shalom Tzvi
Spencer (‘04-’05) and Deena Silverman on
the birth of a son, Shalom Tzvi
Yaakov (‘03-’04) and Sara Wolinsky on the
birth of a daughter, Rivka
M a r r i a g e s
Dovid (’06-’07) and Lanee (Rosenberg)
Layman
Danny (‘04) and Sara (Daniels) Wajcman
Daphna and Yehudah Goldreich on the
marriage of their son, Ephraim to Pazit (Avitan)
E n g a g e m e n t s
Benzi Jaffe (’03) on his engagement to
Michelle Frankel
Daniel Rosenfelt (’07-’08) on his
engagement to Amanda Friedman
Dovid Becker (‘05) on his engagement to
Tali Cohen
Josh Berk (‘06) on his engagement to Aliza
Litchman
Eli Katz (‘06-’07) on his engagement to
Elana Mehl
Eitan (’04) and Adina (Schwartz) Kastner
Josh Goodhardt (‘06-’07) on his
engagement to Miri Broner
Adam (‘06-’07) and Sarah (Halpern)
Frieberg
B a r
Zev (’04-’05) and Sara Adina (Berger) Baker
Rav Yehoshua and Batsheva Fass on the Bar
Mitzvah of their son, Elchanan
Jacob (madrich) and Goldie (Jacob) Milner
‫המקום ינחם‬
‫אתכם בתוך‬
‫שאר אבלי ציון‬
‫וירושלים‬
M i t z v a h
Chazak Ve’ematz
The Yeshiva would like to acknowledge
those alumni who are currently serving
and who have recently served in the
Israel Defense Forces
• Sammy Harari (‘08-’09)
• Tzvi Selig (‘08)
• Avraham Schlagman (‘07)
• Menashe Wodinsky (‘05)
• Avi Jacobs (‘04)
‫ושבו בנים לגבולם‬
The Yeshiva would like to acknowledge
and welcome those alumni who have
recently made Aliyah to Israel
• Noah Zivan (‘08)
• Gershy Rapp (‘07-’08)
• Amir White (‘07-’08)
• Avraham Schlagman (‘07)
• Ian Zeifman (‘07)
• Aryeh Kirshblum (‘05- Kollel- madrich)
• Mordy Rapp (‘05-’06 - madrich)
• Gavi Zeitlin (‘05-’06 - madrich)
• Josh Grussgot (‘04)
• Yaakov Guttman (‘04- madrich)
• Eytan White (‘03)
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah mourns the loss of Mr. Avi Blumenfeld z"l
a dear friend, supporter and admirer of the Yeshiva and its programs. Last year, the Blumenfeld
family decided to name the future Beit Medrash in memory of Avi's late father, Sam Blumenfeld z"l.
Although Avi Blumenfeld z"l did not have the opportunity to visit the new campus, his legacy of
valuing a Torah education, maintaining the utmost respect for Tefila, and being active in philanthropy
will forever be taught in the halls of our Beit Medrash. We extend our deepest wishes of consolation
to his dear wife, Lois, his children and grandchildren.
Our new
semicha
program
prepares future
teachers and
leaders to make
an impact on
the Jewish
community

B i r t h s
Lev HaTorah’s New
Educators’ Program
The Lev HaTorah Semicha
Program Picture (from l-r):
Dovid Zvi Newman, Rabbi Rami
Goldberg, HaRav Menachem
Cooperman, Gedaliah Goldstein,
Aryeh Kirshblum, Avi Staiman, Yoni
Miller, Josh Pittleman.
a quiet revolution in the world
of Jewish education
A
midst the excitement of Lev HaTorah’s move to the new campus, a quiet revolution in the world
of Jewish education began this past Elul in our Beit Midrash. Seven talented, budding talmidei
chachamim are preparing to make an impact on the Jewish world. They are learning under the mentorship
of experts in the field of Torah education as part of Lev HaTorah’s new Educators’ Kollel/Semicha Program.
Combining high-level Talmud, Tanach, and Jewish Philosophy with a solid grounding in pedagogy, these
aspiring teachers are learning in an environment ideal for testing out their educational techniques and
ideas with the Lev HaTorah students around them.
Many institutions would never consider starting a new program during a year filled with the intense
technical challenges of moving to a new campus. But for Rav Boaz Mori, Lev HaTorah’s founding Rosh
Yeshiva, there was never any doubt. “We can’t grow physically without also growing spiritually,” Rav
Boaz explains. “As we enter our new campus, we have to begin filling it with new initiatives and ways of
impacting Am Yisrael. We’re empowering seven very talented young men to become leaders in Israel’s
schools and yeshivot.”
Our kollel students come from diverse backgrounds – including alumni of Lev HaTorah, Yeshivat Hesder
Ramat Gan, Yeshivat Hesder Sha’alvim, and even Rami Goldberg, a musmach of Yeshiva University who
currently manages a financial services company. But more significant than their differences is the common
goal that unites them. Yoni Miller explains, “It’s incredible to be part of a group of older, advanced
students who share the same focus, goals, and vision. It’s an atmosphere of incredible spiritual growth, an
opportunity very difficult to find in Israeli Yeshivot, which generally focus on younger students.”
This personal focus enticed our seven students to join Lev HaTorah instead of a large array of other
programs available to older advanced students. Rav Menachem Cooperman, a rabbinic judge and
the primary Ram in the program, stresses, “Personal attention for older students is key. It’s essential for
developing learning skills. When students can work with a mentor who sits with them, guides them, sees
where they stumble and where they succeed, they can truly excel in their learning. These students are the
next generation of leaders who will impact the Torah world, and they deserve as much focus and attention
as we can give them.”
Along with personal growth and improved learning skills, sharing a Beit Midrash with shana aleph students
involves constant opportunities for the kollel fellows to begin developing their skills as teachers. By giving
model lessons to the shana aleph students under the supervision of Lev HaTorah’s master educators,
and engaging in countless informal learning sessions, the Kollel students gain feedback, insight, and
techniques that will serve them for the rest of their careers. Aryeh Kirshblum, an alumnus and former
madrich at Lev HaTorah, emphasizes, “No class on pedagogy can provide the kinds of hands-on knowledge
and experience of the kinds of issues that come up with the students we interact with on a daily basis.”
While the “hands-on” aspects are crucial, the program also provides rigorous academic training. Through
partnership with Herzog Teacher’s College, the premier undergraduate
program in the Religious-Zionist community, students take classes in
psychology, classroom management, and curriculum.
Lev HaTorah’s shana aleph program continues to thrive and grow,
now joined by the Educators’ Program. Together, they represent our
continuing efforts to provide innovative and inspiring education to the
Jewish people, both now and in the future.
Check out our newly updated Website www.levhatorah.org
Shiurim, Photos, catch up on what’s happening, Alumni news and lots more!
10
Lev HaTorah Update
11
Lev HaTorah Update
S
a
th ve
e Date
!
Mega Alumni Shabbaton
a n d
Gala Melavah Malka
in Teaneck, NJ, June 13,
Parshat Behar - Bechukotai
Alumni from all years and rebbeim will be in from Israel
Furthur details on our website www.levhatorah.org
‫התורה‬
‫ישיבת‬
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah
L e v
a h
H a T o r
In Israel
Tel: 972- 2-992-2617
Fax: 972-2-999-4640
Rechov Nachal Ein Gedi 37
Ramat Beit Shemesh, 99000 Israel
In the US
Rabbi Gene and
Mrs. Edna Kwalwasser
Tel: 1(718) 506 9911
Mailing address:
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah
c/o Mrs. Beth White
65 Argyll Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804
To Donate in Canada:
Please make checks payable to
Mizrachi Organization of Canada
[email protected]
www.levhatora h.org
5 7 6 9