Father, Son Shabbos in Cincinnati

This past Shabbos – Ki Sisa 5774 – was a very special weekend in Yeshivas Lubavitch of Cincinnati when the Yeshiva hosted its annual “Father & Son” Shabbos for the parents living out of town. Over 25 fathers came from all over United States, Canada and beyond.

The program began on Thursday morning with a special Shiur Klali from Rabbi Doniel Golomb from London, England, who also Farbrengened with the Shiur Gimmel students later that evening.

Adverse weather conditions in New York could not stand in the way of the dedicated parents, many of whom traveled through the night to get to Ohio however they could. By the time Shacharis started on Friday, the newly renovated Beis Midrash was full. After Davening and a special breakfast, the fathers were treated to a special Shiur Klali by Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson, the Senior Maggid Shiur in Yeshiva.

Following the Shiur, the parents went to their hosts and many then went out with their sons on Mivtzoim. The Yeshiva recognizes the warmth and hospitality of the local Anash of Cincinnati and thanks them for hosting the many fathers who came, as well as Hatamim Hashliach Mendy Flamer who prepared a comprehensive Welcome Packet for each guest.

A memorable Friday night was arranged to treat the students and parents, which began with Mincha and the weekly shiur in the Besuras Hageula of that Parsha, after which fathers learned a Sicha with their sons.

The Seuda was presented by Hantamim Hashliach Shmuel Granovetter and took place in the newly renovated dining room that was specially set up and decorated for the occasion under the direction of the Menahel Gashmi, Rabbi Eliyahu Morrison.

During the meal, Temimim Zali Shifren from Los Angeles and Moshe Golomb from London, together with Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson from New York and Rabbi Meir Gitlin from Toronto shared Divrei Torah and inspirational anecdotes. Rabbi Moshe Toron – President of the Yeshiva – led the Bentching. As in previous years, Rabbi Chay Amar from Florida farbrenged at length after the Seuda, completing the evening’s program.

Rabbi Zalman Baras, Mashpia of the Yeshiva, began the Shabbas morning program with a special Shiur on the Rebbe’s last Ma’amer (V’Ato T’Tzave) before Shacharis. All the fathers and sons then went to eat with their hosts and Chavrei Hanhalla. Right after Mincha, there was a special Farbrengen with Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, Menahel of the Yeshiva, who demanded from the parents to give “bikkurim” to the Rebbe. A Maamer was reviewed by Hatamim Kalman Schuchat (Toronto). After Maariv, everyone stayed to watch the weekly video of the Rebbe on the newly installed screen – In which the Rebbe spoke about supporting Mosdos Chinuch – and had a special “Father & Son” picture taken.

On Motzei Shabbas, the Yeshiva hosted a communal Melave Malka in their new building, the “Boymel Rabbinical College” (In the name of “Zaidy” Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Rachel Boymel). It was attended by local community members and the local Shluchim in Southern Ohio.

During the Melave Malka, Rabbi Avtzon presented the new Sefer “Iggeres HaChinuch” to the Hanhallas HaYeshiva as a sign of appreciation and recognition of their on-going dedication to the students of YLC. Divrei Torah were shared by Rabbi Levi Simpson from New York and Rabbi Doniel Golomb, who spoke on the theme of cultivating a strong relationship between parents and the Yeshiva. HaTamim Mendel Turen from Chicago delivered the Siyum HaRambam.

In a heartfelt and humorous speech, Mr. Leib Chaim Goldfarb from Kfar Chabad shared how Yeshivas Lubavitch of Cincinnati changed his life from being a secular college student to a fully-fledged Chassid of the Rebbe. Rabbi Yossi Greenberg, previously a long-standing Shliach at the Yeshiva who has since returned to Cincinnati to the local university, shared words of praise and encouragement about the work of the dedicated staff at the Yeshiva and, in a surprise move, the Talmidim of Shiur Gimmel presented Rabbi Avtzon a special birthday present: a beautiful new Peroches to adorn the Oron HaKodesh in the renovated Beis Midrash.

The guests were entertained by the music of HaTamim Mendel Schmukler and Bentching was led by a local friend of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Yossi Levy.

Special thanks were given to all those who helped make the weekend a success and HaTamim MYa”D Wolf, who coordinated much of the preparatory work for Shabbas and contributed greatly to the success of the weekend was singled out for his untiring energy and dedication.

The Melave Malka concluded with joyous and whole-hearted dancing, leaving parents, students and staff alike inspired and energized to fulfill the Rebbe’s Shlichus to be Mekabel Pnei Moshiach Tzidkeinu Bepoel Mamash.