Community Magazine December 2013

Community Chest Sefer Torah Dedicated To the Students of Manhattan Day School On Sunday, October 27, Manhattan Day School welcomed a magnificent, new Sefer Torah into its premises. Over 300 people participated in this historic event, including faculty, parents, grandparents, alumni, prominent rabbis, community members and MDS students. Rabbi David Bassous, a synagogue rabbi who is trained as a shohet, mohel and sofer , oversaw the completion of the final letters of the scroll. The entire assembly marched the newly completed Torah on West 75th Street lead by Tomer Mandelbaum on drums and keyboardist Binyomin Ginzberg. Dr. Benjamin Zalta served as hazzan , leading the crowd in song and prayer. The MDS choir, under the direction of Mrs. Karen Daichmann, led “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah,” and then performed rousing renditions of “Torat Hashem Temimah” and “Habibi” to the delight of the crowd. Greetings and words of Torah were delivered by Rabbi Elie Abadie (Edmond J. Safra Synagogue), Rabbi Mordechai Besser (MDS Principal), Mr. Daniel Posner (MDS President), Mr. David Dweck (Sefer Torah Committee Co-Chair) and Rabbi Sion Setton (Congregation Magen David). The sumptuous reception/collation was elegantly catered by Zami Caterers. The MDS family is extremely grateful to the generous honorees who made the Sefer Torah possible: Maurice and Lenore Labi Ades, the Chera Families, Jack and Grace Dayan, David and Julienne Dweck, Eddie and Sarah Gindi, and the Sopher and Zordok families. Special thanks to Mr. David Dweck for bringing people together to commission the writing of Torah. David was joined by Mr. Henry Rosenberg in the campaign to have various parts of the Torah dedicated. Dozens of families sponsored sefarim (books), parashiyot (weekly portions), perakim (chapters), pesukim (verses), milim (words) and otiyot (letters). Heartfelt appreciation also goes to the talented and hardworking planning committee who put together a memorable event. The MDS students had the privilege of using the new Sefer Torah in the morning minyan . Rabbi Ariel Cohen served as baal koreh as the students gathered around to witness this historic moment. Rabbi Moshe Zimberg, the MDS Mashgiach Ruchani, explained the significance of reading from the new Sefer Torah in the first year. He explained that while the scribe reviews what he has written, the students collectively become a “second pair of eyes” throughout the first year to make sure the Torah is complete. The students are looking forward to using the new Torah for many years to come. A number of dedication opportunities are still available. Anyone interested in participating in this special mitzvah is invited to contact Josh Caplan at 212-376-6390 Ext. 801 for details. Yeshivat Or Hatorah Student Government Assembly Features Haskell Bennett The General Studies Department of Yeshivat Or Hatorah High School held a school-wide assembly on Tuesday, November 12th to introduce the formation of their Student Government. The featured guest speaker was renowned community leader Haskell Bennett,who captivated his audience right from the start, after being introduced to the students by principal Rabbi Avrumi Portowicz. “I’m certain there are at least 10 foreign countries represented by the people in this room,” Mr. Bennett remarked. “Either we, or our parents, were immigrants to this great country. Why do you think they all chose to live in the United States of America?” Mr. Bennett proceeded to extol the virtues of this great nation, and reminded the boys of how appreciative we must all be to Hashem for allowing us to reside in a country that protects our rights to live as observant Jews. He then proceeded to give a comprehensive mini- lesson in Civics 101, including the importance of actively participating in representative government. The boys gaveMr. Bennett a rousing ovation, and they were excited to then hear fromRabbi Portowicz about the details of their own voting process, which will include nominations, campaigning, debates and elections over the next several weeks. Rabbi Yaakov S. Marcus, RoshYeshiva and founder of Yeshivat Or Hatorah, expressed his delight over the numerous exciting programs that have been introduced at the yeshiva this year. Rabbi Portowicz has brought to the school’s General Studies department his unique talents, years of experience, and many innovative and exciting educational programs, including the Student Government, giving the students a rich educational experience that is both enjoyable and rewarding. Victor Gindi, Gindi Photography Mr. Haskell Bennett 94 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE