Shevat 5770

For Parshat Vayechi, the Overseas program enjoyed a memorable Shabbaton in the holy city of Tveria, after spending the day Friday in Tzfat.  Accompanied by Rav Ahron Silver and Rav Yonatan Kohn, as well as the madrichim Yochanan Kafka and Daniel Brooks, the talmidim enjoyed the change of scenery and a refreshin and relaxing atmosphere over Shabbat.  Highlights included: Rav Silver's sichot and shiurim, the afternoon walking tour with medic Meor Barel, and the tefilot at the the graves of Rabbi Akiva, the Ramchal, and Rambam, after Shabbat.

On Motzei Shabbat of Parshat Shemot, the talmidim were treated to a special musical havdala and kumzitz with Rav Zev Bannett.  The bochurim transitioned back into the week with the aid of music, singing, and inspirational words of Torah.

In recent weeks, the talmidim heard guest shiurim from R Avraham Friedman of Bet Midrash LTorah/ Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, IL, a ram from the Lander College for Men, and Rav Mordechai Willig and Rav Meir Goldwicht from Yeshiva University, who spent Shabbat in yeshiva.  Rav Goldwicht, of course, is a former Ra"m in Kerem BYavneh and the nephew of founding Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Chaim Yaakov Goldwicht, zt"l.

Over Parshat Bo, the talmidim were treated to a Shabbat with Rav Blachman, who delivered an epic tisch before he is to set out for a recruiting trip in the US.  Shabbos was also highlighted by several semachot; the birth of a grandson to Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Greenberg, shlit"a; the naming of Ra"m Rav Stern's granddaughter, born to kollel member R' Avichayil Greenwald; and the aufrauf of Yisrael Be'eri, son of Rav Be'eri, rosh kollel ledayanut in the yeshiva and Av Beit Din of Ashkelon.