The fourth annual super Sunday learn-a-thon was held February 3rd in Bais Yitzchok in Chicago this year. Due to a scheduling conflict in the Wi-Fi building, a perfect replacement was selected that made it easier for people in the West Roger’s Park neighborhood to walk to the event. Tremendous thanks go to Rabbi Langer, Rabbi Montrose, Dr. Aronson and Mr. Ashkanzy for allowing their beautiful shul to be the host of this year’s record crowd of over 200 people. The Smyle4Torah event was sponsored anonymously and used $0 in advertising to promote the event.
The details were planned, organized, and run by a select group of young men and boys in the community, all under the age of 15. Over $1,000 in raffle prizes and giveaways were hand selected by Avrumi Schaffel, Yosef Dov Kreisman and Aryeh Leib Kreisman. Special thanks again go to Avi Bereliani, owner of Great Chicago for providing the delicious food and helping with the logistics and timing of the replenishment of the food. The event owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mr. Louis Atlas for keeping the crowd well fed throughout the dinner and dessert phases of the evening. Rabbi Bauman and his family are also to be commended for pitching in at peak times of food service.
It was plain to see that Hashem had a major hand in the safety and success of the event. Chicago experienced -22° mid-day temperatures three days prior to the event. The event had weather in the forties, with the ice and snow on the streets and sidewalks melted. The event started with Mincha / Maariv and continued for four hours of learning and programming.
In addition to the learning, 88 boys participated in the “Seeing the Good” program by taking the time to think about and writing down something good that they recognized in others. Rabbi Pomerantz zt”l. formulated the idea to instill in children a more positive outlook on life. In Rabbi Pomerantz zt”l’s words, “When we speak about the good, Hashem will bring about the good”.
The boys were inspired again this year throughout the program to hear divrei Torah and chizuk from talented rebbeim/rabbanim in the community. The crowd was riveted to the positive and powerful messages conveyed by Rabbi Kalman Worch, Rabbi Yisroel Langer, Rabbi Zvi Zimmerman, Rabbi Mordechai Ginsparg and Rabbi Mordechai Chaimovitz.
How was this night different from past nights? It was beautiful to see one of the community’s earliest built shul’s be filled with the excitement of learning by people of all ages and schools. Most of the boys do not belong to the shul, but felt comfortable making it their home for that evening. The program also no longer needs any explanation or instruction. The participants are comfortable with the format, exhibit patience when waiting for food, and express sincere thanks for the many things they enjoyed.
Once again, the program took place close to Eli Osgood’s birthday. The crowd was treated to an abundant selection of pareve ice cream and chocolate cakes. Eli was fortunate to be able to share the night learning with his Saba, Mr. Bert Goldstein, a CPA taking time off during busy season.
Conversation at the end of the event turned to where to have the event next. There were so many positives in having the event at Bais Yitzchok after having it at the Wi-Fi building in Skokie for three years. Only one solution – l’shana haba’ah b’Yerushalayim!
Special thanks go to Mrs. Laurie Babendir and Miriam Rivka Babendir for driving from Skokie after the event to help clean up, rearrange the shul and even wash the tabletops. For recordings of the inspirational stories / divrei Torah, information about Smyle4Torah or the “Seeing the Good Program”, send an email to [email protected].
