Chag Urim Sameach!

Chanuka week is always very special at the Yeshiva. We had a BBQ, a special chessed program, a concert, a yom iyun, and a special shiur during this really beautiful week.

Chanukah started on Sunday afternoon with a special shiur by Rav Shimon about the historical perspective of Chanuka. Following an early maariv, the chanukiyot were lit and we cel;berated the first night of chanuka with a special barbecue in front of the Yeshiva.

The festivities continued Monday as the guys went to the Sanhedria Children's Home where the Yeshiva put on a carnival for the children. There were game stations, a Chanukah trivia game and an outrageous concert by our very own Shvilei band. The children sang and denced and had a wonderful time. The event was quite the success and the children enjoyed it immensely.

Naftali Abramson and his band came to Shvilei as part of the Mesibat Chanukah on Tuesday night. Naftali played for over an hour and a half, and the dancing was non-stop. The singing, dancing , ambience and joy were really terrific.

Modern Orthodoxywas the topic of the day at our special Yom Iyun on Wednesday. The discussion centered on what makes us Modern and what makes us Orthodox, and how do we combine the two? Rav Yitzchak Blau was our guest speaker at the Wednesday night sicha, defining Modern Orthodoxy and bringing some its concepts to life for the boys.

On Thursday, Rav Knapel presented “Xmas Comes to a Jewish home”, discussing an article about assimilated Jews in America. The topic was timely since Chanukah is very much about assimilation and deciding what parts of society should be accepted and which parts should be rejected.

The boys began their Chanukah break after davening on Friday and have 3 days to spend with friends, family or to see the sights of Israel during this Chanukah week. They are due back at the Yeshiva on Monday evening.

Chag Sameach!