Oholei Torah opened its week of 7 events for 70 celebrations with a beautiful and inspiring Melava Malka honoring the very people who bring its mission to life each day. Staff members and their spouses gathered for an evening of gratitude, warmth, and chizuk, marking the first of seven events celebrating 70 years of chinuch al taharas hakodesh. Beginning the milestone week by celebrating the mechanchim and staff themselves set a powerful and meaningful tone for all that follows.
The Melava Malka carried a warm chassidishe Motzei Shabbos atmosphere, enhanced by music from Yossi Cohen together with the Kapelye Choir. A delicious milchig meal was catered by Holesome Bagels, adding to the welcoming and thoughtful experience prepared for the staff.
Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, Menahel K’lali, opened the evening with heartfelt words of inspiration, expressing deep appreciation for the mechanchim and staff and their central role in shaping generations of talmidim. Board member Rabbi Nachman Dov Wichnin, then read a powerful letter from the Rebbe written to Oholei Torah on the occasion of the Oholei Torah dinner in the year 5725, creating a moving bridge between the founding vision and the present day.
A beautiful d’var Torah was delivered by Rabbi Yisroel Noach Lipsker, Mashpia in the Mesivta, highlighting the depth and responsibility of chinuch and the lasting impact of a mechanech’s influence. Throughout the evening, meaningful video presentations featured past mechanchim sharing personal reflections on their years in Oholei Torah and the unique environment of dedication and growth they experienced.
The program also included two stirring musical performances. Yakov Moshe and Yehoshua Binyomin Friedman, Talmidim in Oholei Torah, performed an original song titled “Thank You Rebbis,” thanking their Rebbis for their constant belief in them. The Oholei Torah Boys Choir performed the Shivim Shana remix live for the first time, led by Rabbi Shmuli Friedman, S’gan Menahel of Grades 3 through 5, filling the room with energy and pride.
Rabbi Mendel Blau, Rosh Moissed, then delivered empowering words, charging the mechanchim and staff as Oholei Torah enters the next decade stronger, growing, and more impactful than ever. The keynote address was given by Rabbi Shalom Moshe Paltiel, Shliach in Port Washington, NY and proud Oholei Torah alumnus and parent, who passionately emphasized that mechanchim hold the most vital role of all, describing them as the “Rebbe’s navy seals”, entrusted with the future of K’lal Yisroel.
The evening concluded with a lively raffle, spontaneous dancing, and bentching led by first grade Mechanech, Rabbi Berel Hakohen Yarmush, leaving participants uplifted and connected.
One fifth grade mechanech shared, “I left the Melava Malka feeling genuinely proud, honored, respected, and inspired. That kind of reaction comes only after an event that is so clearly and thoughtfully attuned to the mechanchim and staff of Oholei Torah. Every aspect felt just right.” Another mechanech added, “Thank you for taking the effort not only to encourage the staff, but for going beyond and making the spouses feel like a true part of the mission.”
As the first of the 7 events for 70 events, the Melava Malka set a powerful foundation, celebrating seventy years of chinuch by first honoring the hearts and homes behind it all.
