This week at Shvilei we began our new zman and the boys had an opportunity to sign up for a plethora of fascinating courses including The Origins of Chassidut, the Aseret HaDibrot, Israeli Cities, Hashkafa and other equally fascinating options. The guys also chose from a selection of bekiut classes in Mishna, Tanakh and Gemara.

On Monday afternoon we had a group chessed program at the Afikim School in Talpiot where we brought some cheer to the children there. Organized and implemented entirely by our Talmidim, the event included tree planting, face painting, drawing, games, and two stations of GaGa (a rather big hit).

Wednesday night’s sicha was a tag team sicha from Rav Reichel and Rav Jacobson. The two of them provided two different ways of understanding the halachot of shmirat negiah. These halachot are sometimes challenging and multiple viewpoints help talmidim understand and prepare themselves for the future.

I am proud to report that every Talmid in the Yeshiva attended Mishmar Thursday night. Many of the Rabbeim were there to have chevrutas with the talmidim. We were then treated to a special sicha from Rav Blau about lashon hara and spending time appropriately. Eric Weintraub’s father provided a pizza dinner at 12am.

A special yashar coach to our Shana Beit student Hayim Ani who passed the Special Forces exam of the IDF and has been accepted into Shayetet 13 which is the Israeli Navy’s version of the Navy SEALs. Hayim will be continuing his Shana Bet studies until his upcoming draft.

Shabbat Shalom