The “RKYHS Chagigah Challenge” is a group of 25 engaged students from various classes and grades at RKYHS who learn an amud of gemara a day with Rabbi Szafranski, Monday through Friday, and review their learning over the weekend. During select lunch periods, they gather for in-depth “iyun” shiurim on some of the topics covered.

The cohort recently made a siyum on the first perek, a wonderful celebration and remarkable accomplishment. Rabbi Szafranski gave a shiur on the final amud, they sang, danced, ate Krispy Kreme and heard a dvar torah from freshman Ziv Avishur, one of the program participants. Additionally, another participant, Joey Plotsker, brought in his great grandfather’s personal gemara Chagigah, which was printed in 1645. It was moving for each student to have the opportunity to connect with our history and heritage by seeing this rare sefer’s stunning calligraphy up close and to actually use it in the shiur.