On Sunday night, January 23, students of Yeshivat Sha’alvim packed into the beit midrash together with friends and family of Donny Morris, z”l. They were joined by over 1,000 online viewers from across the world in a moving tribute to Donny, marking almost nine months since his tragic passing last Lag B’Omer.
The tribute came together with the dedication of the new Donny Morris Torah Learning Center. Sha’alvim’s Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Michael Yammer, poignantly shared that the dedication of the center echoed the establishment of a yeshiva upon the kever of Chizkiyahu HaMelech after his passing, which, he said, served as the greatest “tribute to the iluy neshama of one who passed,” ensuring constant Torah learning. Rav Yammer also noted that the Learning Center had already begun to be used for Rav Noam Koenigsberg’s daily shiur, other daily chaburot, and even hosted an Avot U’Banim learning program on Shabbat afternoon.
A theme of the night was the idea of bein adam lechavero, an area in which Donny was known to thrive. “Our dear Donny z”l strove for shleimus in his fulfillment of bein adam lamakom and bein adam lechavero. Our hope is that the constant learning in this new space dedicated to Donny z”l will reflect this shleimus,” said Rav Yammer. Continuing with that theme was the official dedication of the sefer titled “Daniel Ish Chamudot,” echoing this trait of Donny’s. The sefer is a companion to the weekly Torah portion and holidays, with contributions from both students of the yeshiva and noted rabbis from Israel and America.
Rav Noam Koenigsberg provided melodious and heartfelt musical interludes throughout the program. Rav Koenigsberg was Donny’s rebbe during his time at Sha’alvim, and the two formed a deep bond of mutual respect and admiration. As part of his tribute to Donny, Rav Koenigsberg shared a touching personal anecdote, recalling that after 35 years he was called back to his childhood home by his parents to remove his remaining belongings. Among them was a box with a kite he vividly remembered as being enormous, a feature of many happy and memorable outings. As he excitedly arranged to take his own children out for a day of flying the kite, he was amazed and quite disappointed to see how small the kite actually was. From this experience, he realized that our perception of reality is altered by how precious an object is to us.
Rav Koenigsberg connected this to Donny, saying that while he “was our talmid for only [a short time], we witnessed his levaya, where thousands came out in tribute to his short life of 19 years. There is no doubt that the memories of Donny will be huge and impactful. What Donny achieved … in such a short span of time will multiply and grow incrementally as generations of [students] will sit [in] the Donny Morris Torah Learning Center and learn in his memory.”
The image of Donny with his trademark smile went viral after his death became known to the world. Rav Ari Waxman, menahel of the Moty Hartstein Overseas Program at Sha’alvim, addressed this unforgettable image in his own tribute. “According to Rav Shlomo Zalman, a successful ben Torah is one who eats, sleeps and learns when he is supposed to—and smiles!” As the Learning Center and sefer were dedicated that night, Rav Waxman noted, “We see him smiling through our tears and we hear his voice asking us to keep a smile on our faces.”
Donny’s mother, Mirlana Morris, thanked all of the participants in the dedication who came in person and virtually, and took the opportunity to express her family’s gratitude to the yeshiva’s students and staff. “When we left Sha’alvim after shiva, we turned to the students and asked, ‘Please don’t forget our Donny.’ You have surpassed our expectations in remembering him and paying tribute to his legacy.”
She added that while Donny himself was not fortunate enough to establish his own family, the family felt confident that through the Sha’alvim family he will continue to be felt. “Truly, through the establishment of the Learning Center and the sefer “Daniel Ish Chamudot,” Donny’s shem tov is living on.”
Donny’s father, Aryeh Morris, spoke after his wife and recalled how only a few weeks after the tragedy, Rav Frisch, Sha’alvim’s mashpia, contacted the family with the plans for the learning center and the sefer. Both were completed within eight months as a result of Rav Frisch’s determination. Aryeh recalled the extraordinary efforts of Rav Yammer, who was able to pull off a visit to Har HaZeitim shortly before Yom Kippur, even though the country was still under lockdown. He concluded by mentioning the more recent trip he and Donny’s friends made to Har HaZeitim, where they recited Tehillim and shared memories of Donny’s promptness for davening, fierce determination to complete his objectives, and his always beatific smile. Aryeh’s hope is that for years to come, the boys who come to the Donny Morris z”l Learning Center will feel Donny’s spirit there and spread it throughout all of Am Yisrael.
Ezra Seplowitz, Donny’s close friend, shared three outstanding character traits of Donny, whom he had known since early childhood. “Donny was an extraordinarily sensitive individual. He was a committed friend who valued his relationships, and always went out of his way for the benefit of others. His care for family and friends went above and beyond. Donny’s commitment to daily davening was incomparable as he highly valued his constant conversation with the Ribono Shel Olam. At home he was always early to Beth Abraham’s hashkama minyan, and often served as the baal tefillah, which he carried out according to the minhag of his family. Finally, Donny’s anivut, modesty, was unique. He displayed ultimate humility and was a sincere eved Hashem. Donny never searched for kavod, but, inevitably, kavod found him.”
Rav Zach Frisch concluded the program by inviting the assembled to receive a copy of “Daniel Ish Chamudot,” of which a new run will be coming out soon, as the first 1,000 copies are almost all distributed. The participants were invited to make their way down to the brand-new Donny Morris z”l Torah Learning Center for the affixing of the mezuzah and the viewing of the plaque in tribute to Donny. For all those in attendance, Donny’s presence was certainly strongly felt.
Copies of “Daniel Ish Chamudot” are available in Teaneck for pickup at either Beth Abraham or the home of Josh Gelernter. For further information, contact Josh Gelernter at [email protected]. In addition, they will be available for purchase at the YU Sefarim Sale in person, and online.
By Pearl Markovitz
