Siyum HaRambam Marked In New Haven With Florida Shliach
The New Haven community came together on Tuesday, 16 Shevat, for a powerful Central Siyum HaRambam marking the completion of the 45th cycle of the Rebbe’s takanah.
The event drew an impressive crowd of over 400 participants – local Anash, bochurim from the Mesivta and Zal, and Rabbanim from across the region – all joining together in a remarkable display of achdus and hiskashrus.
The evening was opened by Rabbi Yoske Gopin, the first shliach to the state of Connecticut. Rabbi Gopin spoke warmly about the significance of the day, underscoring the tremendous zechus of being part of the worldwide Rambam learning cycle established by the Rebbe.
Guest speaker Rabbi Shai Amar, Shliach at Chabad of Golden Beach, Florida, then addressed the crowd with a heartfelt and inspiring talk. Rabbi Amar highlighted the unique koach of limud HaRambam and stressed the vital importance of maintaining a firm and consistent kvius in daily learning – regardless of one’s schedule or circumstances.
Rabbi Ahron Kaufman, Rosh Yeshiva of Waterbury, spoke to the broader impact of the annual cycle, noting how the Rebbe’s takanah has fundamentally transformed and strengthened the atmosphere of Torah learning throughout the regional community.
The formal Siyum was conducted by Rabbi Yosef Lustig, Menahel of the Mesivta – Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo. In his remarks, Rabbi Lustig spoke about how the takanah serves as a unifying force for Yidden the world over, functioning as a direct kli for hiskashrus to the Rebbe.
The program concluded with a burst of spontaneous dancing, as the hundreds in attendance celebrated the milestone with joy and high energy befitting the occasion.
A standout highlight of the evening was the dedicated Children’s Siyum HaRambam, which saw over 50 children participate in their very own parallel program. The children learned and celebrated the completion of the Rambam cycle in an age-appropriate and engaging setting, filled with excitement and simcha.
The program was designed to give the youngest members of the community a genuine and personal connection to the Rebbe’s takanah – not just as observers, but as active participants in the worldwide celebration. Seeing the next generation dancing and rejoicing over the completion of limud HaRambam was, for many in attendance, one of the most moving moments of the night.
