This past Shabbos, Parshas Teruma 5785, over 50 fathers from all across the US and Canada 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 Shabbos weekend began with very lebedike “Adar dancing” on Thursday night. It continued, with Friday morning Shacharis in the Beis Medrash.
After davening and a delicious breakfast, the parents learned Seder Nigleh with their sons and heard shiurim from the Maggidei Shiurim and went on Mivtzoim with their son. The Yeshiva moved into the local Chabad shul for mincha and Maariv. The fathers learned this was followed by a heartwarming seder niggunim led by Rabbi Levi Simpson, mashpia in the Yeshiva.
After Kabalas Shabbos, the fathers and sons took their seats in the Beis Medrash, specially set up for the occasion under the direction of the Menahel Gashmi, Rabbi Eliyahu Morrison. The yeshiva thanks to Rabbi Naftali Schmukler – Chabad of the Coastal Bend in Texas – for running the entire Kitchen this shabbas.
During the seudah, divrei Torah and Hisorerseudahe shared by hatmimim Mendel Stolik (NY) and Meir Schmukler (New Mexico), as well as shluchim Rabbi Yosef Kalmanson (OH), Rabbi Benny Hershkowitz (Mexico). The seudah was followed by Farbrengeseudah night.
On Shabbos morning, a special seder, Chassidus, was led by Rabbi 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 Ellie Estrin (FL).
After Minchah, a special farbrengen was in the Zal with Rabbi Sender Geisinsky (Maryland). The farbrengen was followed by Maariv, a video of the Rebbe and dancing for Chodesh Adar. A special Melave Malkah – “Siyum Harambam” – occurred in the yeshiva’s Boymel Rabbinical College. The Siyum was made by Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Lifshitz – Marah D’Asrah of Cincinnati – and the new cycle of Rambam was started by Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson.
After the Melavah Malka, Rabbi Gershon Avtzon gave special recognition to the Vaad of the Yeshiva (Rabbis Avtzon, Toron, and Wolf). He detailed the amazing answers from the Rebbe and miraculous events about the current growth of the Yeshiva. The Yeshiva is currently expanding its buildings (a tour was given to parents and talmidim on Sunday) and will be able to expand its capacity.
On Sunday morning, a chinuch seminar for the fathers was organized by the Menahel of the yeshiva, Rabbi Menachem Benarousse, and a special Seder Chassidus with Rabbi Levi Simpson. Later in the day, fathers had the opportunity to meet privately with the teachers to discuss their son’s 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!”
