LA Hosts “A Day in Yeshiva”

This past Sunday, Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles hosted it’s 41st Yarchei Kallah. Over one hundred people from all walks of life – some coming from as far as Sacramento, San Diego and El Centro – to participate in this wonderful “Day in Yeshivah” experience.

The day began with the study of Chassidus in a one-on-one chavrusa learning with the Yeshiva students. Rabbi Mendy Shapiro, a teacher and mentor at the Yeshivah, delivered an informative and inspiration lecture, elaborating upon the themes of the maamer and applying its message to daily life. A warm davening and lavish breakfast followed, catered by Ohr Elchonon’s chef, Rabbi Yossi Niazov.

The main feature of the day was the Yeshiva-style in-depth Gemara experience. Similar to the morning’s Chassidus, participants were paired to learn one-on-one with the Yeshiva students. Participants were given the opportunity to delve in to a page of Gemara and discover it’s depth and intricate detail, with the aid of a Yeshiva student chavrusa. The crowd was then enthralled to hear the Torah insights delivered by Rabbi Ezra Shochet, Ohr Elchonon’s famed Rosh Yeshiva for over forty years.

Following lunch participants studied a Sicha of the Rebbe, printed with translations and summaries, explaining the inner meaning of exile. Rabbi Yossi Shusterman, Rabbi of Chabad Beverly Hills and renowned Halachic authority, gave a shiur on “The Wedding Etiquette,” explaining many of the customs performed at a Jewish wedding.

Rabbi Sholom Kesselman, a local Rabbi and teacher delivered a deep and enthralling lecture, explaining the novelty which Third Beis Hamikdash will bring in the coming era of Moshiach.

The culmination of the long day of learning was a grand farbrengen led by the Rosh Yeshiva. Participants were asked to share their sentiments of the past day. The positive yet emotional energy that filled the room was electrifying. “I am soon to turn seventy and I have just spent my first day in Yeshiva, it feels amazing” related Allan, an individual from the Pico Robertson neighborhood. “It is an entirely new experience for me, I am completely refreshed.”

In the words of Jonathan, from Glendale, “Numerous times while sitting over the Gemara, learning with my study partner, I was overcome with a feeling of joy, I just couldn’t help but smile.” Mr. Grayhem from S. Diego shared that it was the best Yarchei Kallah he had yet attended. He went on to praise the class of Yeshiva students, commending their outstanding knowledge and insight, as well as the good example they set. Joseph from Long Beach recalled the story of Rabbi Akiva, who began his Torah journey at the age of forty. “I am 37, and my journey has just begun after spending my first day in Yeshiva”, he remarked. “With such loving students with so much knowledge, I hope to be back again.”

Rabbi Shochet then inspired the crowd, finding lessons from the present time — the nine days period leading up to Tisha B’av. The joyous gathering concluded with Maariv.

Organizers say it has been the best year of Yarchei Kallah yet. “Tens of emails and phone calls have been received; people seemed to have really enjoyed, walking out informed and inspired,” said Sholom Ber Korf, one of the coordinators of the day’s program. “We thank the community for participating once again in this amazing program, and to all those whose advice, time and effort made the day into the success it was.”

The organizers say they are looking forward to an even better program for the year to come.

Yarchei Kallah – A day in Yeshivah, is an annual learning program taking place in Los Angeles. For those living in west coast and interested in learning about upcoming programs and events, email [email protected].