(Courtesy of Heichal HaTorah) This past month, Heichal had the opportunity to bring faculty, lay leaders, parents and friends of the yeshiva together for a dessert reception to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals dedicated to the yeshiva and its students. First, Rabbi Stechler and Heichal HaTorah board member Rabbi Simcha Katz were pleased to recognize Dr. Aron and Shira Schwarcz for their tremendous contributions to Heichal over the past three years. Shortly after agreeing to serve as president of the yeshiva, Dr. Schwarcz was also asked to lead the yeshiva’s medical committee during the challenging COVID-19 crisis. His pleasant demeanor, practical approach and extensive medical experience served the yeshiva well during that time. Under his leadership, the yeshiva continued to grow its student enrollment and number of faculty, while still providing the talmidim with an engaging and dynamic program of study.

Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Stechler and Academic Dean Rabbi Macabbe Avishur were pleased to bestow the Faculty Recognition Award on Heichal’s beloved bekiyus rebbe and principal of STEM, Dr. Joel Berman, for years of dedication and unwavering commitment to his talmidim in both limudei kodesh and limudei chol. Rabbi Stechler noted how Dr. Berman epitomizes the quintessential qualities of a superb educator, embodying positivity, patience, love, commitment, passion and z’rizus in everything he does; they both conveyed the yeshiva’s tremendous gratitude to Dr. Berman for his dedication to his students.

Heichal was thrilled with the opportunity to recognize both Dr. Berman and Dr. Schwarcz’s contributions to the yeshiva. The dessert reception earlier this month also marked the kickoff of this past week’s large-scale Mishnathon, at which Heichal gathered over 1,000 talmidim and family members to learn Shas Mishnayos on Memorial Day at the yeshiva.