(Courtesy of Heichal HaTorah) This past week Heichal HaTorah celebrated its 11th annual dinner and Talmidim4Life Campaign at the newly renovated Atrium Hall in Monsey. Over 770 attendees provided a heartfelt tribute to 200 alumni of the yeshiva who were the dinner honorees.
The memorable evening began with over 300 alumni, current talmidim and rebbeim completing Masechet Kiddushin together. The learning was dedicated as a zechut for the protection of the IDF soldiers engaged in battle to defend Am Yisrael in Israel.
Following the learning portion of the evening, parents and friends gathered to honor Heichal’s esteemed alumni and rabbeim, which included the support of over 60 generous matchers, 1,442 donors and 426 ambassadors, who all contributed to raising a staggering $1,516,558 toward Heichal’s scholarship fund. Aryeh Sheinbein, president of the Heichal Board of Directors, opened with words of hakarat hatov to the many families who contributed to making the scholarship dinner such a tremendous success.
Dovid Rotberg, a Heichal 2019 alumnus, passionately sang the tefillah for Tzahal, followed by 2020 alumnus and Heichal Varsity Basketball Coach Eli Sudwerts, who shared his personal experiences and connection to the yeshiva and the incredible privilege he felt in returning to the yeshiva as a coach and student mentor. Rabbi Yitzy Rozenberg, a 2018 alumnus and new Heichal rebbe, shared great moments from his Heichal experience and what inspired him to return to Heichal to lead the next generation of talmidim.
Rav Aryeh Stechler, rosh yeshiva, shared a powerful message to the families and past and present talmidim, emphasizing the mission of Heichal HaTorah to care for the spiritual and physical needs of each student during their time in Heichal as well as after they graduate and throughout their lives. The program also featured a video showcasing how the alumni maintain a deep connection to Heichal long after their graduation. A second video delved into how Heichal alumni overcame the challenges of learning in Israel during the war and how their connection to rebbeim, teachers and fellow alumni gave them chizuk throughout the year. The video included a moving interview with Heichal alumnus and IDF soldier Dovid Messner, class of 2021, and documented the recent Heichal alumni dinner overlooking the Kotel, where the learning of Masechet Kidushin began.
The dinner program ended with the hadran and kumzitz. The special ruach and warmth of the yeshiva was felt by all present. Heichal is deeply grateful for the community’s unwavering support, active participation and invaluable partnership in making the Talmidim4Life Campaign a resounding success.
