DRS parents and sons celebrate joy of being Jewish

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The sounds of lively music and dancing filled the air at Davis Renov Stahler (DRS) Yeshiva High School’s 17th annual Parent-Son Melave Malka, held at the school’s campus in Woodmere on Feb. 8.

“The goal of the Melava Malka is to celebrate the joy of being a Jew and having a relationship with G-d, and taking the joy and spirit of Shabbat into the week and into the year,” said Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, about the purpose of the event. “It is the one night the entire Yeshiva family gets together to celebrate these things. The Parent-Son Melava Malka highlights the positive spirit of being Jewish,” he added.

The Melava Malka commenced as students, parents, and faculty members enjoyed a kumzitz together, accompanied by a band comprised of DRS faculty members and Rebbeim. Beloved Rebbi Rabbi Shlomo Klapholtz, who has been teaching in DRS since its inception in 1997, was honored for his dedication to the Yeshiva.

“Rabbi Klapholtz has been such a role model to our students for the 17 years of the Yeshiva’s existence,” said Rabbi Kaminetsky regarding why Rabbi Klapholtz was honored. A video tribute to Rabbi Klapholtz was shown, and he was also presented with a plaque and award in recognition of his service and dedication to DRS. “It’s a special zechus (merit) to come here and learn with the talmidim (students) every day,” said Rabbi Klapholtz.
In the gym, students and parents enjoyed a scrumptious dairy buffet, and a video highlighting the school spirit and unity amongst students at DRS, including the annual Shabbaton in November and Color War in December, was shown.

“The Melava Malka really brought out the achdus (unity) in the school,” said sophomore Jared Willner. Torah Growth Awards were awarded to Joseph Sultan, Jeremy Brody, Jason Loskove, Ari Savitsky, Jakob Deutsch, Avi Beer, Kevin Marek, Mordy Kirsch, Aaron Dua, Judah Willig, Matthew Rindenow, and Eli Alter. Freshman Shalom Rafailov, sophomore David Kazlow, junior Yehuda Inslicht, and senior Jacob Skolnick were presented with peer-voted Midot (good traits) awards. Students, parents, Rebbeim, and faculty danced together and celebrated the joy of being a Jew together.