Shalom u'vracha.

The week and the Chodesh started off with a great BBQ and a wonderful concert by Shlomo Katz. The acoustic set that Shlomo played was full of his own material – many songs that the guys knew but didn't realize Shlomo wrote – as well as songs composed by the other Shlomo… Carlebach who was a major influence on Shlomo in his youth. It was a wonderful evening of ruach and spirit.

On Monday, our tiyul took us to Yad V'shem as part of our ongoing series with the Shem Olam institute. Though many of the guys have been there before, the museum’s exhibits are always changing and the visit is always moving, disturbing and thought provoking.

Our guest speaker this week was Robbie Berman, the director of HODS - the Halachic Organ Donation Society. He came to talk to us about organ donation and Halacha. He spent much of the time dispelling misinformation and giving the latest halachic thoughts on this very intriguing and important topic. As a former comedian, Mr. Berman is quite the speaker and his talk was both very informative and quite entertaining.

On Simchat Torah, Josh Kaye won an auction by bidding that he would learn all of Tanach. After three months of learning no less then ten prakim a day of Nach, Josh completed the cycle this week and we had a grand siyum for his complwetion of learning Tanach. What an accomplishment. And on top of that, Josh even provided the food for the celebration. What a role model - to put in that type of herculean effort and then to provide your friends with a feast. A tremendous Yasher Koach to Josh.

This coming Shabbat is a staff Shabbat. Each of the students will be spending Shabbat with one of their Rabbeim or Madrichim and their families. The previous staff-Shabbat was one of the highlights of the year and we expect this one to be just as wonderful.

Shabbat shalom.