Postville Bonds Fathers, Sons

The Jewish community in Postville, Iowa, was treated to it’s first Father and Son learning program on Motzoei Shabbos, Parshas Vayeirah.

The program, which took place in in the town’s shul, was organized by the new group of Talmidim-Shluchim who came to assist with the students at the Mesivta of Postville.

Shliach Sholom Ber Eagle prepared a catchy flyer, which was hung around town before shabbos. Shliach Mendel Munitz together with Berel Borisute set up lots of nosh to keep everyone happy throughout the program.

The evening started with a forty minute learning session, during which a talmid of the yeshiva, Yisroel Gerlitzky gave out raffle tickets and motivated the boys to learn enthusiastically.

The learning was followed with children being called up to say the twelve pesukim. Mendel Munitz then told a fascinating story of the Rebbe Rashab, in honor of chof cheshvan, which kept everyone spellbound. Mendy Hecht, Mendel Benshimon and Zevi Gross were the happy winners of the raffles. By the end of the program, everyone went home excited and looking forward to come back next week for more.

In addition to the established routine of such programs, the shluchim introduced a new and valuable twist, (which other communities can incorporate into their avos u’bonim programs as well.)

Most fathers come with multiple sons, but, are only able to learn with one at a time. The shluchim arranged in advance that the mesivta bochurim would come and learn with the boys that needed a partner.

The first week’s program was sponsored by R’ Giora Bass for the zechus of his family, and by R’ Chaim Slater l’ilui nishmas his mother Miriam bas Moshe Yaakov Hakohen.