Community Magazine December 2009

A FTER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO the community, Rabbi Yizhak Sebbag is making aliya. When a righteous person leaves the city, his departure is profoundly felt by those whom he leaves behind. After 40 years of dedicated service to the community, Rabbi Yizhak Sebbag is fulfilling his life-long dream of making aliyah and settling in Israel. From Morocco to the Mir Born in Morocco, Rabbi Sebbag left his family and friends at the tender age of 13, traveling across the sea to these shores to learn in the famed Mir Yeshiva of Brooklyn. The Mir led by Rabbi Avraham Kalmanowitz, z.s.l. arranged for the trans- port of boys from Morocco and trained them to become outstanding talmide hachamim . Today, many of these boys are serving the community in various capaci- ties. Mrs. Renee Halioua, a close family friend and relative, recalls that when young Yizhak arrived in the United States, “he was from one of the best families in Meknes, Morocco and he has developed into a true gaon. Rabbi Sebbag is constantly studying and the words of Torah are always on his lips. Everyone can benefit from his teach- ings. ” Rabbi Sebbag received his semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rabbi Shraga Moshe Kalmanowitz, z.s.l. , the late Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva. Already at the young age of 19, Rav Yizhak began teaching Torah in Louisville, Kentucky. His teaching career brought him to a number of places and schools including Hillel Academy of Perth Amboy where he created a model of kelei hamikdash with his class that was later displayed in a museum. He touched the lives of the young boys he taught, many of whom would years later credit him for their Torah observance. Magen David Gets a Star After marrying in Israel, he returned to America and began working for the community in a position which he would hold for the next 40 years. Hacham Baruch Ben- Haim, zs”l , hired Rabbi Sebbag to teach the students in Magen David Yeshiva, working together with him for the next 10 years. He taught thousands of young students during those years, instilling in them the love of Torah which he radiated. “Rabbi Sebbag educated by example,” Rabbi Haim Benoliel, rabbi of Congregation Bnai Yosef observed. “He personifies Torah and hesed .” Touching three generations during his tenure, Rabbi Sebbag inspired countless stu- dents, many of whom now hold leadership and even prominent rabbinic positions in our community. “He is a remarkable teacher who was able to pass on the way of learn- ing Torah to all of his students,” remarked Rabbi Gad Bouskila, rabbi of Netivot Yisrael – the syna- gogue where Rabbi Sebbag would fill-in as substitute rabbi from time to time. Rishon Lession Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu shelita visits Magen David Yeshiva and Rabbi Sebbag is given the honor to deliver the open- ing remarks. Rabbi Sebbag’s tenure at Magen David continued until just recently, when he decided to make aliya . Farewell to Our Treasured Teacher  76 Community magazine