We were thrilled to welcome back the boys from their Pesach break to the homestretch of the Yeshiva year. The boys resumed their learning in earnest with many of our shiurim concentrating on Massechet Kiddushin.

Monday marked the first of what will be four special days here in Israel – Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim . On Monday, we commemorated Yom Hashoah. As midday approached the entire Yeshiva went to Tzomet Pat, a local busy intersection, to observe the tradition of silence where the entire country stops what they are doing and observes a period of silence in memory of the six million. It is a very moving and emotional moment. Rabbi Knapel then led a session to discuss the Shoah in a nearby park.

On Wednesday evening, we were given a very special talk by our very own Rabbi Dr. Nechemaiah Kleinman who shared with us his personal experiences in the Shoah. Rabbi Kleinman, a survivor of multiple camps spoke to us about how lucky he was to survive, but mostly he stressed the importance of defeating Hitler’s dream by living a full and meaningful life as a Jew. Rabbi Kleinman moved to the USA at the age of 16, graduated high school and entered YU where he became a talmid of Rav Soloveitchik. Eventually, Rabbi Kleinman earned his PhD in Physics and became the head of the Physics department at a major university. We have been privileged to have Rabbi Dr. Kleinman join us at Shvilei as he continues his lifelong effort to defeat through accomplishment the enemies that sought our destruction.

On Thursday, we had the zchut to share in Simcha Tamkin’s siyum of Seder Taharot –known to be one of the most complex and intimidating parts of Shas. Simcha has worked diligently to master this difficult project and we are very proud of his accomplishments.

This Shabbat is an in-Shabbat with Rabbi Knapel and his family. This is the next to last in-Shabbat of the year, the next one being the last Shabbat before the year is over.

Shabbat Shalom