On Wednesday, September 25, the TABC Leadership Kollel kicked off its speaker series with a special Elul presentation from Rabbi Shay Schachter. Rabbi Schachter serves as the rosh beit midrash of the Young Israel of Woodmere and is well known for his many shiurim that are available through YUTorah.

In his address to the kollel, Rabbi Schachter acknowledged the power of our great mesorah and the expectations we may feel when developing as the next generation of Klal Yisrael, something he is particularly familiar with growing up as the son of Rabbi Herschel Schachter. Nevertheless, Rabbi Schachter reminded the students that each Jewish king, even the son of a previous king, was obligated to write his own sefer Torah, illustrating to them that they must all chart their own paths and develop their own identities. Rabbi Shachter further developed the theme that nothing compares to the product of their own personal investment in their growth. It is for this reason, he said, that Har Hamoriah retains its kedusha and significance while Har Sinai did not. Our personal investment, going back to Akedat Yitzchak, was the centerpiece of the events that took place on Har Hamoriah.

Following his session, Rabbi Schachter spoke to the junior and senior grades about the opportunity they have each day to develop their personal responsibility and define their futures.

It was a true privilege forTABC students to learn from Rabbi Schachter and his talk provided them with much to reflect on as they commence the new year of personal growth.