While I have been fortunate to have been able to travel the world and see many incredible sights, none compared to the sight I was privileged to see on the campus of Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah last Sunday.

More than 300 children from Ashkelon came to the Yeshiva. They needed a much deserved day off from the war that was raging around them. They needed a day to be kids again without the ever present threat of missiles raining down on them. One of our Shvilei families – true tzaddikim - donated the funds necessary to put his event together. And what an event it was!

We set up and manned a dozen different rides and games for the kids, moon bounces, motorcycle races, basketball games, slides, etc. We each had a role to play in the event, some of us were running the booths and playing with the kids, some of us were serving them cotton candy and popcorn, and some of us worked the DJ booth. While it was miraculous that the whole event was arranged in three days (thank you Avinoam)and set up by our boys in one morning, the real miracle was the joy that exuded from the faces of the 300 children. There were ear to ear smiles all day from all of these wonderful kids. It is what we at Shvilei are all about and our boys were tremendous!

On Monday, we had another Shvilei patented Yom Iyun. The day’s topic was spirituality. We also had a very special visitor: Richard Joel, the distinguished President of Yeshiva University. He spoke eloquently about the boys responsibility to become leaders on their college campuses, be it YU or elsewhere.

On Wednesday night, in lieu of our normal sicha, we had another va'ad where the talmidim go for dessert to one of the Rabbi’s homes. It was a special night of bonding and fun.

During Mishmar, Thursday night, Rav Mann started a new initiative – a weekly raffle. All those who spend their free time learning at NaB 'eM are entered into a raffle (one entry for each hour) and the drawing takes place Thursday during Mishmar. The prize this week was a 20 nis gift certificate toward the purchase of seforim. This week’s winner was Ari Levine (who we welcome back to the Yeshiva for Shana Bet – we missed you).

Next week promises more excitement as we celebrate Rosh Chodesh and have a concert.

Shabbat Shalom,
Nate