Haschalas Gemara celebration for YOSS 5th graders

Fifth graders at Yeshiva of South Shore celebrated a Seudas Haschalas Gemara, marking their start in Gemara learning. 

The rabbeim of this year’s fifth grader class (the largest in YOSS’ history) — Rabbis Scharhon, Steinharter, Burger and Jacobs — have the zechus of ushering the talmidim in to the world of Gemara by imparting not only the necessary skills, but also the ahavas HaTorah she’baal peh required for a lifelong yearning to learn and grow.

To mark the occasion the yeshiva held a three generational breakfast, learning together and an inspiring drasha by the roshei yeshiva and guest speaker Rav Yaakov Reisman.  In addition, four talmidim, one representative of each class — Avi Burns, Jack Wisefeld, Pinny Schwerd and Dovid Halpert — told over divrei Torah during the event.

Rav Yaakov Reisman, Rabbi Emeritus of Agudas Yisroel of Long Island, explained the fascinating diversity of the streams of Torah, pointing out the wide range of geographic locations from where the meforshim who expound upon the Gemora, lived. Even the Gemora itself has 2 streams, the Talmud Bavli in Iraq and the Talmud Yerushalmi in Eretz Yisroel. He told the boys about the purity of learning of young children and stressed the great potential that each of them have.

During the seuda, the boys performed a stirring rendition of Abie Rottenberg’s famous Lulei Sorascha. The boys were accompanied by Rabbi Shlomo Drebin, the program coordinator. Soloists included Yisroel Ackerman, Betzalel Englard, Dovid Fridman, Yaakov Meisner and Zalmen Twersky. Mordechai Ross also performed a trumpet solo.

Each talmid was called up and the rosh hayeshiva, Rav Binyomin Kamenetzky, shlita, who along with his son Rav Mordechai Kamenetzky, the menahel and the rabbeim, presented each talmid with a personalized shtender and a photo memento of the event.

To top off the excitement, raffle prizes were awarded, including the grand prize, a shas, which was won by Eliyahu Oami.

The talmidim of the 5th Grade will Im yirtza Hashem be maztliach in their learning as they begin to swim in the vast yam shel Torah. Mazel Tov to all of them.