Chicago Torah Umesorah Shabbos of Chinuch

0
1975

On Shabbos Parashas Vayeira, November 3-4, Torah Umesorah hosted a very special Shabbos of Chinuch in Chicago, with the participation of four distinguished Roshei Yeshivah, including Harav Elya Brudny, shlita; Harav Aharon Feldman, shlita; Harav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, and keynote speaker, Harav Lipa Geldwerth, shlita. The programming began on Thursday evening, with a special reception held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Yossi Meystel. On erev Shabbos, the Roshei Yeshivah visited eight different schools in the community, including Yeshiva Ohr Boruch, Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi, Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, Telshe Yeshivah, Meor Hatorah, Bais Yaakov of Chicago, Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov, and Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov. The Roshei Yeshivah encouraged the talmidim and talmidos with inspiring words describing the importance of each individual, and their special role and responsibility as the future of Klal YIsrael. At Yeshiva Ohr Boruch, the Roshei Yeshivah attended the weekly Noam Shabbos mesibah and joined the talmidim in song and dance, and in Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi and Arie Crown, they joined the talmidim in a special erev Shabbos kumsitz.Throughout Shabbos, the community had many opportunities to hear divrei chizuk from the Roshei Yeshivah, as they participated in onegei Shabbos, delivered drashos in shuls, and graced shalosh seudos in different neighborhoods throughout Chicago. At an oneg Shabbos at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Rajchenbach, Harav Elya Brudny delivered a stirring drashah on the importance of parents partnering with the chinuch of their children. He explained that Avraham Avinu was the greatest innovator in chinuch and kiruv in history, devoted tremendous energy to hachnasas orchim and bringing people closer to the Ribbono shelOlam, yet could not influence Yishmael with the presence of his mother Hagar. Similarly, a yeshivah can have the best chinuch and the most innovative programming, but if the parents don’t partner with the yeshivah, then the work of the yeshivah will not be beneficial. Harav Aharon Feldman also emphasized the importance of parents remaining proactive and involved in the chinuch of their children. If parents show the schools that they are ͞on board,͟ it will create a unified team that can conquer the most difficult challenges. Harav Reuven Feinstein shared with the students in a number of schools, the importance to act in a way that brings Nachas to others. Additionally, the American Constitution does not say ͞freedom from religion͟, but rather it says ͞freedom of religion͟! Harav Geldwerth, in his drashah, emphasized the importance of instilling self-confidence into talmidim, and using positive correction, rather than strong criticism. On Motzoei Shabbos, the Roshei Yeshivah participated in a beautiful community wide Avos U’Banim program, which was attended by several hundred fathers and sons. A special inspirational melaveh malkah was held for mechanchim, with the participation of 80 people. A separate event for mechanchos with Rebbetzin Sheila Feinstein, followed by a question and answer session led by Harav Reuvain Feinstein, was attended by approximately 70 women.

Throughout the weekend, the messages and presence of the Roshei Yeshivah impacted at least 3000 people from across Chicagoland. As Rabbi Binyomin Holland from Torah Umesorah remarked, ͞I doubt Chicago ever before had such a strong impact at one time. There was no segment of the community left behind. It was a globally inspiring Shabbos in every way.”