Fun, Inspiration in Upstate NY

The Oholei Torah Mesivta enjoyed their annual Shabbaton visiting many places in Upstate NY.

On Friday they had a tour of the State Capitol, and met with Rabbi Mendel Mathless, Shliach in Albany, NY. Shabbos was spent in Saratoga Springs with guests from Crown Heights, which included Rabbi Mendel Reizes, Rabbi Sholom Dovid Pape and Rabbi Mendel Nemes.

With such prominent chassidim, it was truly an uplifting and memorable shabbos. Motzei Shabbos was the grand banquet, with guest speaker Rabbi Mendel Rubin, a local Shliach. A special Ba’al Shemtov story was played out by Mendel Jacobson and Simcha Raskin and an acrobatic and juggling performance was put on by Nochum Greenwald. Yehoshua Susskind led the bochrim in Niggunim by playing the violin. The Banquet culminated with singing and dancing led by Moti Reizes and Schneur Minsky.

A special thanks was given to Rabbi Abba Rubin, shliach to Saratoga Springs, for helping with the arrangements.

After Chassidus and Shacharis, on the way back to NY, the Mesivta stopped at the Chabad house of Rabbi Yitzchok Hecht, Shliach in Kingston, NY, where they enjoyed a barbeque.

A surprise stop was made at Wooden Wheelers Roller Skating Rink. Rabbi Moshe Plotkin of New Paltz, NY joined the bochurim and spoke about his special shlichus in the local university.

The bochurim enjoyed a full program and catered food by Yossi Rodel and Yossi Tiefenbrun.

The Shabbaton was organized by Rabbi Hillel Laufer, Mashgiach and Rabbi Zushe Wilhelm, Menahel.