Oholei Torah Hosts Evening of Recognition and Support

Over 500 guests joined in celebrating the 59^th Annual Dinner of Educational Institute Oholei Torah. Included in the crowd were parents, staff-members, supporters and alumni young and old.

Greeted by Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld, Executive Director, the guests entered the main atrium, with music from the Shira Choir.

After enjoying some hors d’oeuvre and champagne, the guests entered the main ballroom for the dinner and program. During dinner, the guests enjoyed slideshows and presentations of the yeshiva and its 1,850 Talmidim. R’ Mendy Raitport, who is running for State Assembly, came to greet the guests, and the school administration expressed the importance of supporting one who will guarantee the betterment, safety and growth of the Crown Heights community.

The crowd was welcomed by the Master of Ceremonies, Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel, an Oholei Torah Alumni and Shliach to Port Washintgon, N.Y., who began the program with the reading of the Rebbe’s letter from 5741 by Rabbi Eliezer Teitelbaum, Member of the Board.

The Rebbe’s kapitol was read by an elder Chossid, Rabbi Maier Rotenstreich, a longtime friend and supporter of Oholei Torah. The Dvar Torah was given by Mordechai Sperlin, a fifth grade Talmid and son of Dovi and Ruthie Sperlin.

The first honor was the dedication of the Sha’arei Teitelbaum – Gateways of Torah and Avodah, in memory of the co-founders Reb Michoel and Esther Teitelbaum, o.b.m.

Rabbi Rosenfeld expounded on the Mesirus Nefesh and the Zechus they had, in building what has today become the flagship school of Chabad-Lubavitch.

Rabbi Naftali and Sorie Rotenstreich, Directors of Chabad of Gramercy Park, NYC, were awarded Parents of the Year. Rabbi Rotenstreich proudly stated that by living near Crown Heights he knew his son will receive the utmost in Chasdishe Chinuch, which he found in Oholei Torah. Presenting the award was R’ Avremel Lokshin, a close friend of Rabbi Rotenstreich and a Member of the Board.

After an interlude of music by the Shira Chior and Chazzan Binyomin Bixenspan, the Oholei Torah PTA was honored. A video of their work and accomplishments was shown. Special Keynote speaker R’ Dovid Junik gave an extraordinary speech of their achievements and how he, as a father and former talmid of Oholei Torah, truly appreciates the hard work, effort and dedication he sees from the PTA and from all the Oholei Torah staff and faculty. It was astonishing to hear as R’ Dovid expounded on the many projects and fundraising that the women of the PTA accomplished over the past few years, and asked that others follow and join their efforts.

Beautiful awards were given out to each member of the PTA in recognition. The Awards were presented by Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld and R’ Dovid Junik.

As the evening came to a close, many left inspired and ready to renew and strengthen their commitment in support and solidarity to Oholei Torah in raising the necessary funds for continued growth and improvement.

Photos by Meir Pliskin