Photos: Mesivta Oholei Torah Annual Shabbaton

The Oholei Torah Mesivta enjoyed their annual Shabbaton in many places in Upstate NY. On Friday they had a tour of the State Capitol, and met with Rabbi Mendel Mathless, Shliach in Albany NY. Shabbos was spent in Saratoga Springs with guests from Crown Heights, which included Rabbi Mendel Reizes, Rabbi Sholom Dovid Pape and Rabbi Mendel Nemes.

With such prominent chassidim, it was truly an uplifting and memorable shabbos. Motzei Shabbos was the grand banquet, with guest speaker Rabbi Mendel Rubin, a local Shliach. A special Ba’al Shemtov story played out by Mendel Jacobson and Simcha Raskin. An acrobatic and juggling performance from Nochum Greenwald, and Yehoshua Susskind led the bochrim in Negunim by playing the violin. The Banquet culminated with singing and dancing led by Moti Reizes and Schneur Minsky.

A special thanks was given to Rabbi Abba Rubin, shliach to Saratoga Springs helping with the arrangements.

After Chassidus and Shacharis, on the way back to NY the Mesivta stopped by Rabbi Yitzchok Hecht, Shliach in Kingston NY where they enjoyed a BBQ.

A surprise stop was made at Wooden Wheelers Roller Skating Ring. Rabbi Moshe Plotkin of New Paltz, NY joined the bochurim and spoke about his special shlichus in the local university.

The bochurim enjoyed a full program and a catered food by Yossi Rodel and Yossi Tiefenbrun.

The Shabbaton was organized by Rabbi Hillel Laufer, Mashgiach and Rabbi Zushe Wilhelm, Menahel.

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One Comment

  • Marc Gronich

    The tour guide for this event was Marc Gronich, President / News Director of Statewide News Service, a news service based at the state Capitol. Marc is a 33-year veteran of the Albany political scene. The 90-minute tour began on the second floor of the Capitol. We convened in the Red Room next to the Governor’s office. I told the students some tidbits of information about New York’s governors. The students then toured the Hall of Governors. The students proceeded to the third floor where they had a view of the state Senate Chamber most students do not get to see. The students were granted access to the floor of the Senate chamber. We then moved on to the million dollar staircase. The students were told about the unique carvings on the staircase and we took a group picture that looked like the Albany version of the shlucim convention in Crown Heights. We then went to the Assembly Chamber, where I told the students some additional tidbits of trivia regarding the lower house. A Senate photographer took the pictures posted on the website. Kol tuv. Best regards, Marc Gronich