New York—More than 100 former students braved the snow and returned to their alma mater for the fifth annual Lander College for Men (LCM) Alumni Shabbaton: Scattered Across the Nation.
As the name implies, alumni came from all over, including Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Memphis, Miami and Toronto, in addition to those living in the tri-state area. One graduate, Dovid Yudkowitz, a former dormitory supervisor, came all the way from Ramat Beit Shemesh in Israel. Including faculty, spouses and children, close to 300 people were in attendance. Several families stayed in the dorms while others were put up with friends living in the Kew Gardens Hills community.
Following Kabbalas Shabbos, Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of the LCM, gave a devar Torah (sponsored by David Hirsch, class of 2012) and welcomed the many returning students and their families.
“It is a real thrill to see so many alumni with their wives and children, flourishing in their careers, building homes and taking leadership positions in their communities,” he said.
Besides the opportunity to catch up with old friends, alumni were treated to beautiful davening, an abundance of food, and a variety of shiurim and divrei Torah over the course of Shabbos. A Tea Room, fully stocked with snacks, fruit, drinks, hot apple cider and even chulent, was open throughout Shabbos. Meir Milgraum, ’08, sponsored a Viennese dessert table. Babysitting and camp services were provided free of charge throughout the weekend.
Just in case anyone was still hungry, N’Shei Lander, the wives of LCM Kollel and college students, baked and arranged a gala homemade kiddush for Shabbos morning.
There were numerous learning opportunities throughout Shabbos:
Mashgiach Rabbi Moshe Bamberger gave a Daf Yomi shiur, sponsored by Avrumi Vais, ’06.
Menahel Rabbi Yehuda Shmulewitz delivered the Shabbos morning drasha on Asei Lecha Rav, sponsored by Rivki and Azi Steiner, ’08.
Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik held a question-and-answer session, sponsored by Jaclyn and Dani Sova, ’08.
Rebbetzin Chana Tanenbaum spoke on the anatomy of a marriage at a shiur for women, sponsored anonymously.
Rabbi Shmulewitz gave a Sichos Mussar shiur on the topic of Ma’aseh Egel, adapted from the sefer of the same name written by his uncle, Rav Chaim Shmulewitz zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. It was sponsored by Dr. Chani and Rabbi Shraga Moshe Milstein, ’09.
Before Mincha Rabbi Yitzchak Genack discussed, “Is Cheating on Your Taxes Ever Okay?” from a halachic perspective, sponsored by Kayli and Rabbi Aryeh Young, ’08, semicha ’10.
Rabbi Bamberger’s shalosh seudos shiur was called “Made in the Shade,” sponsored by Evan Honigsfeld, ’06.
After Shabbos the National Comedy Theatre, an acclaimed family-oriented improv group, performed at a catered melave malka, while Uncle Moishy character Nachum the Clown entertained the children in a separate room.
The Lander College for Men is an undergraduate division of Touro College in service to the Jewish community. Established in the fall of 2000 and located in Queens, NY, the Lander College for Men is grounded in a dual curriculum of intensive Torah study and a wide range of academic programs, where students major in professionally oriented disciplines. Lander College for Men provides students with an environment that produces ethical, mature and well-rounded professionals committed to scholarship and career growth. Dedicated to Touro’s mission of perpetuating the Jewish heritage, Lander College for Men prepares students to uphold the ideals of Torah and pursue positions of professional and communal leadership.
