Rambam roundup: Hachnasat Sefer Torah, Lipa leads party

Hachnasat Sefer Torah at Rambam

Sunday’s snow could not keep hundreds of Rambam talmidim and their Rebbeim from dancing in the streets to welcome a new Sefer Torah to Rambam. Dedicated by Michael and Susan Sosnowik and family, on the 50th Yahrzeit of Dora Sosnowik z”l, the procession — led by the Sosnowik family and friends, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, and Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman and the Rambam mishpacha — started at the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst and made its way to the school. At the head of the march, Rambam junior Avraham Sosnowik joyously danced. Not 24 hours later, he was receiving an aliyah while holding the new Sefer Torah, secure in the knowledge that his grandmother’s legacy would continue to give back mi dor la dor.

Lipa Schmeltzer rocks Adar

Rambam’s Rabbi Ari Boiangiu, himself a superstar guitarist, announced to the assembled students that their next guest speaker was a PhD candidate at Columbia University, a learner, a worker, a person engaged in chesed, in short: a Rambam Man! With that, Lipa Schmeltzer emerged and was greeted with howls of joy from the eager audience. Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, presented Lipa with a plaque recognizing him with the “Sameach Tesamach Award,” for bringing joy, inspiration, and simcha to Klal Yisrael. Lipa proceeded to rock the house, jumping into the crowd and singing — sometimes inserting words about Rambam into his songs. After the chaggigah, Rambam talmidim were treated to another surprise: cholent and kugel thanks to the generosity of the Yizhaky family. Rambam: where anything can happen!

JV Hockey in semi-finals

Rambam JV Hockey won a 4-1 playoff game against HAFTR to advance to the semi-finals. Under Coach Avi Herschman, and with the stellar play from back-up goalie Benji Aryeh, the Ravens are looking for a second straight championship. Go Ravens!

Mock Trial advances

Rambam’s perennial Final Four Mock Trial team looks to keep advancing in a quest to win the Nassau County Mock Trial Competition. With Professor Stevens at the helm, and Philip Nagler and Aharon Goldblatt stepping up their games, the team is eagerly awaiting this week’s crucible.