Fathers Join Sons for Shabbos at Cincinnati Yeshiva

This past Shabbos, Parshas Teruma 5786, over 50 fathers of talmidim of Shiuirim Aleph and Gimmel arrived at Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati for the annual “Shabbas Avos U’banim”.

The fathers were greeted with a custom-designed welcome bag with information regarding the Shabbos schedule and program.

The program started Friday morning with Chassidus. After davening and a delicious breakfast, the parents learned Seder Nigleh with their sons and heard shiurim from the Maggidei Shiurim Rabbi Zusman Oster (Shiur Aleph) and Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson (Shiur Gimmel), then went on Mivtzoim with their son. The Yeshiva moved into the local chabad shul for mincha and Maariv.

After Kabalas Shabbos, the fathers and sons took their seats in the newly expanded and renovated Beis Medrash, specially set-up for the occasion under the direction of the Menahel Gashmi, Rabbi Eliyahu Morrison. The yeshivah extends heartfelt thanks to Reb Elad Sayid – the new chef of Yeshiva – for the delicious food.

During the course of the seudah, divrei Torah and Hisorerus were shared by hatmimim Shmaryahu Bronstein (PA), as well as shluchim Rabbi Zalman Raskin (PA), Rabbi Shmuel Turk (CH) and Rabbi Mordechai Groner (Calgary). The Seudah was followed by Farbrengens all night with Rabbi Sender Geinsinsky (Maryland) and Rabbi Dovid Abba Mockin (Rochester).

On Shabbos morning, there was a special seder Chassidus led by Rabbi Shmuel Granovetter and Shiur Tanya by Eliyahu Landa. Following Shacharis, which included a strong chinuch-drasha by the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, all the fathers and sons joined together for a Shabbos seudah with the fathers’ host families as well as in Yeshiva where there was a Farbrengen with the Shliach, Rabbi Sholom Heidingsfeld (CA).

After Minchah, there was a special farbrengen in the Zal with Rabbi Levi Simpson. The farbrengen was followed by Maariv, a video of the Rebbe and dancing for Chodesh Adar. A special Melave Malkah – with the theme of “50 years of Mivtza Chinuch” was held in the building of the new Yeshiva Gedolah.

The Keynote address was given by Rabbi Mendel Scharf (CH). Rabbi Avtzon spoke about the history of the Yeshiva gedolah of Cincinnati (established 50 years ago by the Rebbe) and the amazing answers received (through the Igros Kodesh) to re-establish the Yeshiva.

During the Melava Malka, it was officially announced to the parents that the famous mashpia – Rabbi Mendel Levin – will be joining the staff of the Yeshiva Gedolah as Mashpia Klali.

At the conclusion of the Melavah Malka, Rabbi Moshe Wolf (Chicago) – from the Vaad of the Yeshiva – announced the establishment of a new “Hanhalla Simcha Fund” which will IYH participate in the lifestyle simchas (Births, Bar-Mitzvahs and weddings) of the Hanhalla IYH.

On Sunday morning there was a chinuch seminar for the fathers, organized by the Menahel of the yeshivah, Rabbi Menachem Benarousse. Later in the day, fathers had the opportunity to meet privately with the teachers to discuss their sons’ progress and growth.

The weekend concluded with parents, bochurim, and hanhalah alike inspired and energized to fulfill the Rebbe’s shlichus “to be mekabel p’nei Moshiach tzidkeinu bepo’el mamash!”