MTA boys from all grades were privileged to hear from Mr. Richard Maisel, father of 10th grader Shiah Maisel, who wove together his amazing story of how, as an undergraduate student in SUNY Albany, he infiltrated a messianic cult called “Seed of Abraham.” It was an amazing tale of dedication, heroism and hashgachah peratis.

Mr. Maisel infiltrated the cult at the highest levels and placed himself in mortal danger in order to reach the truth about the messianic cult. He eventually exposed the group in a public Purim play, in front of a large audience, and subsequently received so many death threats that he was forced to leave the country for a time. He then went to Eretz Yisrael and enrolled in Yeshivas Aish HaTorah. Throughout the entire ordeal, Mr. Maisel was guided by the wisdom and daas Torah of Rabbi Chaim Feinberg, zt”l.

Mr. Maisel taught the MTA boys to believe in their yiddishkeit, even if they must take unenviable positions, and to always follow proper Torah guidance. It was truly a unique and inspirational presentation.