This past Friday, the RYNJ middle school boys began their Lag B’Omer in a meaningful way that reflected the theme of the day—Torah. The vision for the program, however, started the day they returned to school from Pesach break. The students were challenged to pledge a masechta of Mishna or Gemara to learn by Lag B’Omer with the goal of hosting 33 siyumim on the 33rd day of the Omer. Within 48 hours, climbed to near 40 boys who were committed to full masechtot of Gemara and sedarim of Mishnayot.

With a tall bonfire and each grade sitting outside in the warm sun and breeze, Rabbi Bernstein spoke about how proud the boys should be in connection to the parsha’s opening speaking of khanim—how they are all indeed a mamlechet kohanim. The boys had the privilege of hearing words of chizuk from Rabbi Sobolofsky and the value of constant review, and each grade had a student representative to lead the Hadran. As each boy who participated was called up to receive a certificate of recognition, a proud and inspiring sense of accomplishment could be felt by all.