(Courtesy of Mesivta of North Jersey) Empty-headed people, proclaims the Ibn Ezra (Shemos 31:18), are those who wonder what Moshe Rabbeinu did for forty days and forty nights when he ascended Har Sinai. That question is asked erroneously by those who think mitzvos are just about maasim, actions. They are not. The Ibn Ezra explains that the Torah demands mitzvos with heart, as we ask in our tefillah that our hearts should be attached to mitzvos. Those lessons from Hashem to Moshe were deep and needed much time, and only Moshe Rabbeinu was able to grasp them in such a short time frame, explains the Ibn Ezra.
On April 3, The Mesivta of North Jersey, located in Passaic, will be honoring Dr. Eddie and Dr. Dina Jackson of Bergenfield, New Jersey, at their third annual dinner, for the kindness and good-heartedness they have shown in helping the mesivta grow to where it is today. From what began as a chavrusa over two decades ago with the rosh mesivta, Rabbi Aharon Eider, while he was learning in BMG of Lakewood, and then again when he moved back from Israel, continued to a long-standing friendship. Cherishing the opportunity of building Torah institutions, the Jacksons have been generous supporters of the mesivta. They will receive the Hachzakas HaTorah Award.
Rabbi and Mrs. Yecheskel Kohn of Lakewood, New Jersey, former parents in the mesivta who have dedicated their lives to harbatzos haTorah and have built a genuine Torah home, very involved with Oorah and kiruv, will receive the Harbotzas HaTorah award.
Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Erlanger of Passaic, pillars of middos tovos and shem tov in the community, and parents in the mesivta, will be honored with the Ateres Avos award.
The mesivta, which opened in 2012 with a handful of bachurim, has many grateful alumni and parents. Built on a vision of following and cultivating the Torah’s mandate and pedagogue guidance, “ושננתם לבניך, You shall teach your sons,” the faculty has developed close relationships with their students. Focused on understanding and developing each student as a unique individual, as one would do with their own child, the mesivta fosters a warm and welcoming environment. Talmidim become empowered to strive to reach their maximum potential, when their strengths are recognized and appreciated.
When rebbeim treat their students with lev, heart, like father to son, in turn the students will treat each other like achim, brothers. This has become the norm and deep-felt atmosphere in the Mesivta of North Jersey. Alumni desire to keep in touch, and return to visit, because of the beautiful foundation and fond memories they have developed during their years in the mesivta.
At this year’s dinner, the senior class, a group of boys who exemplify that warmth and camaraderie through their chesed and caring for others, will also be honored with the Ahavas Torah V’chesed award.
The dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 3, at The Royal Manor located at 454 Midland Ave. in Garfield, New Jersey. Reception begins 6:15 and dinner at 7:30. For dinner reservations, journal ads and donations, please go to mesivtaofnj.com or email [email protected].
