Ordained Rabbis Get Saluted

By COLlive reporter

A Chag HaSmicha celebration was held this past Sunday in Crown Heights, but it wasn’t an ordinary occasion as the graduates of the rabbinical studies were not single bochurim, rather married men with families.

There were students who were about to receive their hard earned diplomas. There were parents and friends there to congratulate the graduates. And there were children who came to applaud their father’s accomplishments.

The crowd was honored with the presence of Rabbi Mordechai Gurary of Congregation Chevra Shas in Crown Heights; Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum of S. Paul, Minnesota; Rabbi Avraham Isser Lapidus of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rabbi Yaacov Schwei of the Crown Heights Beis Din; Rabbi Zushe Wilhelm of Oholei Torah Mesivta; Rabbi Fishel Todd, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Pirchei Shoshanim; and Rabbi Mendy Rubinfeld of San Diego, CA.

But, what was very unique was that two students were doctors, and one was a lawyer. Some were Shluchim and one was a US Army Chaplain in Korea. Each of these professional people tore themselves away from their busy schedules and for the past two years set aside time to study Torah seriously.

How were they able to do it? OnlineSmicha.com with Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm made these men’s dream to complete their Smicha possible.

Students from across the globe came together and actually became Chavrusas, and at the event many spoke words of inspiration about the past two years of dedication to their learning, and most inspiring was their continued commitment to keep learning.

Every one of the students shared how Rabbi Wilhelm is a teacher par excellence whose classes are exciting, serious and packed with information, and has not only become their teacher and mentor but a personal, caring friend.

With today’s technology, the students were surprised with many Mazal Tov wishes on video from friends and colleagues back in their hometown.

Most inspiring was to hear the common theme amongst all the participants, was that whatever other degrees and certificates they had achieved earlier in life, this Smicha diploma was their most valuable “degree” of all!

Mazal Tov to the graduates: Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Ort, Shliach in Denver, CO; Rabbi Moshe Lans, US Army Chaplain; Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Trestman – San Diego, CA; Rabbi Rafael Jashes, Shliach in Cordoba, Argentina; Rabbi Pinchas Singer, Crown Heights, and Rabbi Dr. Avraham Addess, Atlanta, GA.

Why not consider giving yourself the gift that keeps on giving? The study of Torah, everlasting and forever relevant. Join Online Smicha from any corner of the world, at any age and status. Visit us at onlinesmicha.com or email [email protected] to find out more information about this rewarding endeavor.