Oholei Torah Celebrates Its 56th Year
Sunday, May 11th, Educational Institute Oholei Torah celebrated its 56th Annual Dinner event in their Gutnick Ballroom in the Eastern Parkway Campus.
Well over 700 guests which included, Parents, Alumni, Faculty and supporters enjoyed a well-orchestrated evening of fine food, entertainment and respect given to the evening’s honorees.
The Dinner began with Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld, Executive Director, warmly greeting all the guests as they enjoyed the cocktails and smorgasbord. As the guests entered the building they were awed at its beautiful décor and style, befitting such an important event. The décor was created by Tammy Polatsek of Aristocratic Designs. The dinner itself was opened by Shlomo Drimmer, who praised Oholei Torah and its dedicated menahel, Rabbi Rosenfeld, and invited all the guests to continue their support.
Rabbi Nosson Blumes, Director of Development was the evenings Master of ceremonies, and also co-ordinated the Dinner.
The Rebbe’s letter was read by Rabbi Eliezer Teitelbaum, followed by a Dvar Torah by Nissan Wilmowsky, a talmid in the Mesifta.
Rabbi Zushe and Esther Wilhelm received the Educators award. Rabbi Wilhelm, thanked the administration of Oholei Torah for this award, but stated that he accepted it on behalf of his entire staff, and named each member of his faculty, all who joined together to celebrate with their menahel. In show if gratitude, the teachers presented Rabbi Willhelm with a surprised gift. The Award was presented by Rabbis Kramer and Nochum Sternberg, of the yeshiva Va’ad.
A special mention was made of Mrs. Riva Wilhelm who was a dedicated cook in Oholei Torah for many years and Mrs. Debbie Sperlin-Konikov, who in her own right is an outstanding educator.
The Chessed Award was given to Zalman and Pessie Schochet, Parents of Oholei Torah and young members of the community. Sitting at the Schochets table were many guests, friends, associates and family whom came to join them in their honor. As the Master of Ceremonies was introducing the Schochets, a dear friend Ben Nash, made his own introduction, in his unique and clever manner, which showed the friendship they share. The Awards was presented by Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld, Director. Zalman thanked the yeshiva and gratitude to the Institutions where his children attend.
The evenings Guests of Honor were Yoseph Yitzchok and Bat Sheva Popack, who are dear friends and supported of Oholei Torah for many years. A most moving video, produced by Yankee Teitelbaum, was shown, to introduce Mr. Popack and expressed his feelings towards Oholei Torah, and its menahel, Rabbi Rosenfeld. As the crowd watched the video they were spellbound at the depth of Mr. Popacks insight into Oholei Torah, and his commitment to the Rebbe’s mosdos. A special mention was made of his parents, Reb Shmuel Issac and Miriam Popack.
Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld presented the award, and spoke of their ongoing friendship and the continued support of the Popack’s to Oholei Torah. In Mr. Popacks humble manner he thanked everyone and asked that they continue and increase their support of Oholei Torah.
Rabbi Blumes between honorees Awards made a special mention of the dedication of the Oholei Torah melamdim, and the Morahs of the Kindergarten department. Another mention was also made regarding the New Dormitory Building campaign, which is scheduled to begin in the fall.
Most enjoyable was the Sparks Boys Choir, under the direction of Rabbi Yossi Goldstein, who prepared special acapella and chassidishe songs for the evening.
A special mention was made by Rabbi Rosenfeld for Rabbi Velvel Karp who founded Reb Michoel’s Minyan, a Shabbos morning Minyan geared towards the children of Crown Heights.
Photography by Mendel Meyers Photography.
WOW
WoW
I mean this is crown Heights??
it looks like a dinner from Manhattan or hollywood
really great to see our local mosdos taking themselves seriously and with class
I should have gone!
Yossi Popack
Spoken like a true chossid,
Your amazing for all you do!
and Rabbi Rosenfeld,
Chazak V’ematatz! you are running the biggest institution in lubavtch today!
Suit
Is Motty Korf wearing an Astor & Black suit?
Superdish
beutiful – just sad to see so many alumni and “lubavitchers” with “Altered” beards. This is fundemental basic in Lubavitch Chassidus, yet so many people are either ignorant about its importance or simply heedless. Perhaps some chassidim can do some outreach at such events – After all, this is the institution where many or most of them were educated.
Shepping Nachas
What a Kiddush Lubavitch! As I look through all of these beautiful pictures, I can’t help but send a big Yasher Koach to Rabbi Rosenfeld. Rabbi, without you, Crown Heights wouldn’t look the way it does!
an eighth grade student
go mrs. sperlin
shternie b is the best
so great to see you
you’re looking beautiful as usual
inside and out…
:-)
:-)
I understand you number 4.
To add.
I have so much to say; however, if too much is written, nothing is read.
This is very bekitzur and the reader needs to fill in blanks; rather than scrutinizing the wrong points.
I know the institution needs money to function, but they continuously glorify that which they demean in their teachings.
It sends a hypocritical message to the students, alumni, parents and community.
Unlike a Chabad house, which caters to the secular or assimilated Jew, and therefore, honoring someone of such stature is appropriate–for they are a product of that environment.
To note: this is not in opposition to honoring donors.
When OT honors graduates and alumni of the Yeshiva, which go against all its teachings, the message rings that we are proud of “them,” for they contribute (while that is true, since the frum graduate has nothing to offer).
Listen closely to my words, I am not ragging on OT for not teaching English or preparing its students for the world outside the books—I’ll save that for another time.
OT does not prepare its students for any occupation; however, those who manage to go against the mold by frying out, yet being successful, we’ll glorify. It’s a very conditional honor. “We do not approve of your life style in any way; we won’t teach it, acknowledge it, or even mention it in our institutions; but it’s permissible (and preferable) if you become rich.”
Staying frum and becoming rich, at least remains with-in the possibility that they OT had something to do with it (while that isn’t true, and in addition we discourage such goals—unless they are achieved on a level that benefits us); but frying out and c being proud confirms the conditional hypocrisy.
It’s almost like the church (for those historians). You can do what you want, so long as you pay your way into heaven.
Again, this differs from a Chabad house donor—if you can’t see why; do not replay with a comment.
This applies to all frum people who fryed out. If one goes against our teaching intentionally (unlike Chabad house donors) they should not be glorifies as one of “our” proud graduates.
I understand OT will take any money that comes their way, as will any organization, but they face a different conundrum. They teach against the lifestyle they glorify. Yes, they are approving of the lifestyle (continue reading) since they show nachas in their achievements and as them being a product of their own.
They teach at this school not to Chas v’Shalom turn out like these fry-yacks. As in, these graduates are our failures.
But, at the dinner, these graduates are our success stories.
Granted, they may not do others Mitzvhas but they are now performing Tzedaka so we should not object (the Lubavitch way in general: teffilin, Matzah etc). The problematic issue still stands—OT acknowledges them as their graduates; and not merely as nice Jews who wanna do a Mitzvah.
OT claims that they are proud of “their” products.
To Rabbi R. and the others of OT–NO THEY ARE NOT YOUR PRODUCTS. They are so accomplished because they didn’t listen to one word you said.
Think about the above before accidentally replying ignorantly.
To conclude: Many years ago, Barbra Streisand, a graduate of Yeshiva of Flatbush (very MO) wanted to give a very large donation to the Yeshiva, yet they refused because the message to the students would be that “we want you to be Torah observant Jews, unless you are wealthy.” Understandably, OT does not have that flexibility, but they are still copouts.
Its ironic that we only see here the “modern” wealthy graduates of OT. While there are fewer non-modern wealthy graduates, those individuals already feel content with their yiddishkyt, are aren’t guilt ridden; so they do not feel the need to “give back.”
incredulous
seriously? perhaps if these people wouldnt support an institution that churns out people like them, we’d have a much reformed education system.
Moshe Rubashkin
no people showing up ?
3 pictures from the same Moshe Rubashkin ?
no money?
if yeshiva has no money and in emergency situation why the top party planner has to cater the dinner?
Beardless Donors
Once again judging a book by its cover. You presume these donors “may not do other Mitzvhas” since they don’t have a beard. Perhaps, they perform every single Mitzvah although they don’t have a beard (of which many Poskim’ believe is not problematic). Conversely, you presume because someone has the “lvush” he must be “shomer torah umitzvos”. You cannot be that naive. Many of the people who have the “lvush” lie, cheat, steal and engage in many more serious sins. The question that should be asked is whether a person is moral?! A beard does not make a person moral nor does the lack of a beard make one immoral. Ask the right question.
In regards to your comment that the donors give charity because they are “guilt ridden”, this is also misplaced. As you most certainly know from “Shema”, some people value money above all else and would give up their lives not to have to part with any of it. Without getting into specifics, you must be aware how much charity is valued in the Jewish tradition (I would venture to say more than growing a beard). For most it is much simpler to grow a beard than write checks for hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, whether they would have a beard or not, they would still give. It is a personality. Some are givers and some look for justifications not to give. In regards to the donors without the beards, they usually see through all the nonsense, yet understand these are institutions that merit their support. They don’t look for reasons not to give.
Finally, by the fact that these beardless donors support many Chabad institutions, and many of them send their children to these schools, should give you a clear indication of what they believe is right. Many of them would be very satisfied if their children had beards and went on shlichus. They made personal choices, however, their giving affords many of these institutions to continue to function.
P.S. In regards to special recognition, the “G’mara” is clear about honoring the wealthy and the Rebbe found it useful to have a private yechidus for the big donors of Chabad instiutions.
They are not honoring the lack of beards (and most donors who learned in Lubavitch institutions will agree with this sentiment), they are honoring their willingness to partner in these charitable causes.
So I say THANK YOU, and keep up your great work.
:-)
Dear 12,
Assumption Assumption Assumption Assumption Assumption Assumption, and many wonderful words that did NOT address my point.
“You presume these donors “may not do other Mitzvhas” since they don’t have a beard”
“Conversely, you presume because someone has the “lvush” he must be “shomer torah umitzvos”
None of the above was said (someone is feeling a bit defensive).
Be non-Luavitch, MO, fry….know of cares. You missed the point. You rationalizing not having a beard has nothing to do with what I said.
You missed the point.
I even specified that this is not an attack against honoring donors.
Read it again, and when you write your response stop assuming and presuming.
The problem is that OT is preaching hypocrisy on so many levels.
The people that came to the Rebbe were not OT dropouts.
P.S. funny how I wrote in the into to read my points and not nit pick, but have done so anyway.
”they do other mitzvos“ was a typical CH/Lubavitch response to rationalizing the money…not that they actually do (or do not) do less mitzvos.
Again, they are not our product. punkfarkert, ”we” (OT) looks down at them.
Beardless Donors
Dearest 13,
When someone says they “don’t mean to be critical, but . . .”, that is exactly their intent. Your transparent attempt to grab the moral high ground by your “this is no in opposition to honoring donors” comment is easily dismissed.
You stated “[g]ranted, they may not do other Mitzvhas . . .” OT has not made that statement. It is your simple, small minded beliefs. Consequently, you try to express your true opinion in the mere guise of your indictment of OT as a hypocritical entity. It is not about being “defensive”, rather, it is to address the comments you actually did make. Take comments in their full and unabridged context.
It is clear to everyone that OT honors these donors for their charitable giving and not their lifestyle. Many of the honorees over the years and including the last dinner, never did attend OT and finished the “system”. Every institution in the world honors donors, although many do not agree with their lifestyle. It would be different if an honoree actively promoted and ideal which is contrary to the foundations of Jewish life. If an honoree promoted a gay lifestyle, no matter how much money he gave, OT would not honor that person.
Most of these honorees respect and admire the ideal chabad lifestyle. These honorees are fully aware that OT doesn’t approve of many of their personal choices, however, they truly believe in the institution. They, and everyone (except you) knows that OT is honoring their giving, not their personal choices. This is not hypocrisy, but rather, the celebration of one’s good deed which affords many others the ability to continue in the proper ideals.
Don’t speak for OT when you state “we . . . look down at them.” You may look down at them, but OT more likely appreciates that fact that these donors subscribe to the ideals of OT as evidenced by their support. OT has a problem with their lifestyle. They also have problems with physical abusers etc. However, OT is not celebrating the problem, rather they are celebrating their support of OT’s ideals.
To make it simple: Everyone (including the honorees ) knows that OT is not celebrating a lifestyle, and therefore, it is not being hypocritical.
To 4, 11 and 13
Perhaps OT does not believe it is being hypocritical, because unlike you, they don’t judge a person solely by the way he looks , but by what he does.
Silly
To #’s 4, 8 and 13, you are simultaneously being idiotic and thoughtless. Perhaps you don’t need these funds, but many of us do.
To #’s 12, 14 and 15 , I wholly agree. Everyone knows what is right and wrong and it seems especially these donors as they keep on giving.
to number 15
OT doesnt jusdge a person soley by the way he looks?? not the OT i went to… and they don judge but what they do either.. they judge by how much money they have.
:-)
To number 14:
1) I absolutely do mean to be critical; I have no idea how you thought otherwise. However, I needed to clarify (for those with a chip on their shoulder, and the many who make emotional appeals while avoiding the issue) what I was specificity being critical about. You did what I hoped you wouldn’t mistakenly do. To clarify the quote you made, yes, I have no opposition to honoring donors (as a concept), yet a few lines later I proceed to explain how OT is in a particular unique situation. Once again, I asked that you read the comment, and not nit pick. This was a clear point and you missed it.
2) You once again are picking at minor point–they do other Mitzvas, which I initially made a disclaimer for. It’s not that I believe that is the recipients’ mind set, but rather the possible excuse of those who agree with my points, yet need to rationalize accepting the money. I am fighting off the common Lubavitch rebuttal. Stop chipping away at a meaningless point–address the issue.
3) “OT has a problem with their lifestyle. They also have problems with physical abusers etc. However, OT is not celebrating the problem, rather they are celebrating their support of OT’s ideals.”
“If an honoree promoted a gay lifestyle, no matter how much money he gave, OT would not honor that person.”
Contradictory point (even though I know what you are trying to say).
4) OT does look down, and preach in their school, against these people.
5) If you read my comment again, you’ll notice that I in no way attacked the donors. It seems that you feel I have something against them (maybe because I mentioned the compensation factor–which isn’t far off). I have a huge problem with OT glorifying those that they disappointed with. (read it again) I didn’t say that the donors are a disappointment.
I now noticed that this situation is the response the Rebbe had towards Shlomo Carlback. The Rebbe met many none religious people (apply concept to full spectrum) and didn’t show any frustration. But when Carlback came to the Rebbe, he was very clear that we was disappointed in him. He knew better.
By honoring these graduates of OT (and the Lubavitch system), they are telling the current students of Lubavitch, be a successful businessman (ideally fry, for they are more giving). We will honor you. We are proud of you. You have accomplished what we always wanted.
Shlomo may have been “successful,” but he failed.
To number 15: read their teaching–yes they do.
To number 16: you are excusing OT, because “they need the money.”
To number 17: I see you actually went to OT, unlike the others.
OT preaches disagreement with all those that they honor. Mind you, most of which are their graduates.
:-)
If it’s any consultation (probably not at this point), you lifestyle in no way bothers, nor offended me. I am just disappointed in OT. They are hypocrites.
It just so happens, that some OT donors made their money while openly, and knowingly, breaking Torah (not pointing at anyone specific), which poses a great halachik problem with accepting money from such peoples.
Unlike a Chabad house donor who is a tinok shenishba.
Interesting
This just became interesting……..who is the “you”?…….how did they break torah?….do most successful businesspeople violate the torah in some manner on their way up?
Beardless Donors
Once again you err. You are clearly critical of the donors (and OT). Your point was quite clear and infantile.
You are missing the point that by honoring the donors, OT is not honoring or giving an endorsement of their lifestyle. The donor, OT and participants are well aware. If the donor was defined by a cause, then your argument might possibly be persuasive. Please appreciate this logic as explaining it is becoming tiresome.
Again you speak for OT. Stop it. They preach against a lifestyle, not against people. When honoring the person, we are not honoring the lifestyle.
OT should be disappointed with their donor’s lifestyle; quite possible, the donor is disappointed as well but has made the choices he knows are not the most positive. OT is simply glorifying their charity giving and not their lifestyle. Please comprehend this distinction.
Your Shlomo Carlbach proves this point. SC believed his lifestyle was proper and the lifestyle defined him (i.e. like the promotion of a gay lifestyle), conversely, the donors, OT and all participants are fully aware that the donors lifestyle should not be celebrated. SC believed the opposite. Perhaps, that was why the Rebbe had an issue with him. SC believed his lifestyle and positions should be celebrated.
By honoring these graduates, OT is actually saying the following: Thanks for your financial assistance although we all know you are not the ideal graduate. You know we don’t approve of your lifestyle. Yet, knowing this, you still choose to assist us as you know what is true and important. So thanks.
If you do not understand this, I am sorry your parents never imparted this information. However, don’t make the same mistake. Explain to your children that ideally everyone should endeavor to become a shliach to satisfy the goals and aspirations of the Rebbe. However, if you falter, at least remember what is right and what is wrong. Point out that these honorees know the difference, and although weak on a personal level, they support OT in the hope that more children will grow up with the proper ideals and lifestyle.
P.S. Perhaps, you can simply start giving, so next year, the honorees will be people you believe OT is proud to call their own. Most likely not as you would rather debate this nonsense then actually write a check.
Beardless Donors
Your issue is that you speak for others. You seem to know exactly what OT thinks; you seem to know my lifestyle, although you have no idea who I am; you seem to know the donor(s) were breaking Torah.
It’s all these presumptions, of which I alluded to initially that is your Achilles heel. Stop making these statements as they are factually inaccurate.
Perhaps you should personally hang out with some of these “donors” and you may finally appreciate that OT doesn’t look down at them, rather, they object to their lifestyle.
Puzzled
Why can’t young Lubavitchers be successful professionals without compromising basic chasidishkeit?
Nowadays, we need to praise the young people who educated themselves and or work in secular world with untouched beards!
Azoi Iz
People who are successful usually go against the conventional, that includes yiddishkyt .
A large maned lion
First of all, there is no reason why a full-bearded Chossid cannot make it very big in today’s America (or Europe or Oz or EY). At one time it was understandable that people in business shaved or trimmed, but now Sikhs in turbans, to say nothing of Ingarischer and Polisher Chassidim who wear a distinctive levush, make it as they are. I fully understand people in more conformist types of business or in the professions having to roll their beards if they are unwieldy, or wearing a leather yarmulke at the office, but there is zilch, nada, zippo reason to shave in today’s globalized, multi-cultural world.
I am in business myself, in a creative field, and my look only helps me get remembered. And for anyone who does not like it but is willing to give me a kiss nevertheless, I have a smoother option than my face available. So far no one has taken me up on that option :).
Second of all, one of these donors just has the mazel of being born to the right parents. His business is in the shechuna, and there is no reason at all for him to shave. Honoring him at OT gives the wrong message, plain and simple.(Never mind that his money is blood money as his renting policies are a very big cause of the crime problem in unzerer part of CH, and even the middle-class blacks have no use for the people he rents to.
To 25
I imagine the beard and hair is nice and red :) True, there is no real excuse to shave unless 1) you don’t believe it is wrong or 2) it is simply a personal shortcoming. There are many greater issues than touching one’s beard. I fear, that the insane emphasis on beards has had the ill effect of afforing bearded people with the false illusion that once they have a beard, they obtain a pass. Either way, there is nothing wrong with honoring such a person for their charity giving (even if they do rent to blacks). Don’t be racist.