Educational Institute Oholei Torah of Crown Heights celebrated its 56th annual dinner in their Gutnick Ballroom in the Eastern Parkway Campus, Sunday, May 11.
700 guests, which included parents, alumni, faculty and supporters enjoyed a well-orchestrated evening of fine food, entertainment and respect given to the evening’s honorees.
Executive Director Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld warmly greeted all the guests as they enjoyed the cocktails and smorgasbord.
As the guests entered the building they were awed at its beautiful décor and style, befitting such an important event.
The décor was created by Tammy Polatsek of Aristocratic Designs. The dinner itself was opened by Shlomo Drimmer, who praised Oholei Torah and its dedicated menahel, Rabbi Rosenfeld, and invited all the guests to continue their support.
Rabbi Nosson Blumes, Director of Development, was the evening’s Master of ceremonies, and also co-ordinated the Dinner.
The Rebbe’s letter was read by Rabbi Eliezer Teitelbaum of the OK Labs and son of Oholei Torah founder, followed by a Dvar Torah by Nissan Wilmowsky, a student in the Mesivta.
Rabbi Zushe Wilhelm, Director of Oholei Torah Mesivta, and his wife Esther, then received the Educators award.
Rabbi Wilhelm thanked the administration of Oholei Torah for this award, but stated that he accepted it on behalf of his entire staff, and named each member of his faculty, all who joined together to celebrate with their menahel. In a show of gratitude, the teachers presented Rabbi Willhelm with a surprise gift. The Award was presented by Rabbi Yitzchok Kramer and Nochum Sternberg of the Yeshiva Va’ad.
A special mention was made of Mrs. Riva Wilhelm who was a dedicated cook in Oholei Torah for many years and Mrs. Debbie Sperlin-Konikov, who in her own right, is an outstanding educator.
The Chessed Award was given to Zalman and Pessie Schochet, Parents of Oholei Torah and young members of the community.
Sitting at the Schochet’s table were many guests, friends, associates and family who came to join them in their honor. They were introduced by their friend Ben Nash.
The Awards were presented by Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld, Director. Zalman thanked the yeshiva and expressed gratitude to the Institutions where his children attend.
The evening’s Guests of Honor were Yossi Popackand his wife Bat Sheva, who are dear friends and supporters of Oholei Torah for many years.
A most moving video, produced by Yankee Teitelbaum, was shown, to introduce Mr. Popack and expressed his feelings towards Oholei Torah, and its menahel, Rabbi Rosenfeld.
As the crowd watched the video they were spellbound at the depth of Mr. Popack’s insight into Oholei Torah, and his commitment to the Rebbe’s mosdos. A special mention was made of his parents, Reb Shmuel Isaac and Miriam Popack.
Rabbi Rosenfeld presented the award, and spoke of their ongoing friendship and the continued support of the Popacks to Oholei Torah. In Mr. Popack’s humble manner he thanked everyone and asked that they continue and increase their support of Oholei Torah.
Rabbi Blumes, between honorees’ Awards, made a special mention of the dedication of the Oholei Torah melamdim, and the Morahs of the Kindergarten department. Another mention was also made regarding the New Dormitory Building campaign, which is scheduled to begin in the fall.
Most enjoyable was the Sparks Boys Choir, under the direction of Rabbi Yossi Goldstein, who prepared special acapella and chassidishe songs for the evening.
A special mention was made by Rabbi Rosenfeld of Rabbi Velvel Karp who founded Reb Michoel’s Minyan, a Shabbos morning Minyan geared towards the children of Crown Heights.
Photography by Mendel Meyers Photography.
Moshe kamen u are amazing u rock u r the best I love u
May Hashem grant you much chassidishe nachat from your children, grand children and ALL your talmidims and talmidot!! A well deserved honor!! keep up the great work!!
Rabbi Shpigelman! You da man!
go rabbi you rock
MAZEL TOV, RABBI ZUSHE AND ESTHER!!! MAY YOU GO FROM CHAYIL TO CHAYIL UNTIL 120! MAY YOU HAVE MUCH YIDISHE NACHAT FROM YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR TALMIDIM AND OF EVERYTHING YOU DO! WE WISH YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, THAT HASHEM BLESS YOU WITH ALL THE BRACHOS WRITTEN IN HIS HOLY TORAH! WITH MUCH APPRECIATION AND LOVE, ELI AND GOLDIE ABBO
Well done!!! it looks amazing!!!!
go blumes! u rock
Thank you Moishe Okunov and crew (Fusion Sound Productions)
The room was filed with pleasant sound.
keep up the good work
Mazal Tov Reb Zushe, Esther and Bobby Debbie!! Thanks for the link, the pics are great! May you go from strength to strength, you so deserve this honor…..(hi Chayala & Levi!)
The bessstt rebbi! the best honoree, he truly deserves it!
Mazal Tov Rabbi Wilhelm and Esther, may you continue from strenght to strenght. from your friends in Panama
go Rabbi Karp… best melamed in ot
go rabbi karp go
Go Rabbi Zalmy Laufer!!
Nisi you are one of a kind!
GOOD TO SEE YOU!!!!
danya raskin you are the queen of crown heights!! good to see u you and reb michel looking so well.
It’s great to see all the staff from the mesivta keep up the great work all you are doing and to rabbi mendy bleu your the greatest
go mrs. sperlin!!!!!!!!!
<3 your 8th grade.
I love reb veli …he is the greatest!
for many years he has given all he has for the children.
His chaver yisroel from ocean parkway
Chaim Tzvi (Ben) is a giant… he should be blessed!
looking sharp! :)))
Bubby Junik rocks the house!