On the Motzei Shabbos before Chanukah, Oholei Torah hosted a LIVE Melave Malka as a part of a fundraiser in support of their brand new Mesivta building at 555 Remsen Avenue.
One of the speakers during the event was Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, principal of the grades 5-7 division of Oholei Torah.
Being that the event took place right before Chanukah, Rabbi Lustig began by comparing the re-dedication of the Beis HaMikdash and the lighting of the Menorah in the Beis HaMikdash to the education of a child.
He reminded the audience that, due to the dire situation, the Yidden would have been halachically permitted to light the Menorah with oil that did not have the seal of the Kohen Gadol. However, the new beginning needed to have a foundation that was pure. The Yidden decided that they would not rely on ‘Bedieveds‘. They would light the Menorah with Shemen Zayis Zach – without any exceptions, without any tricks.
Rabbi Lustig then proclaimed that the Rebbe’s vision was that Chassidim should provide their students with Chinuch Al Taharas HaKodesh. In the vulnerable years of a child’s education, only the best will do. Only the purest of information and ideas will do. And this, he continued, is what Oholei Torah does every single day.
He then spoke about the fact that the 8th Grade moved into the former Mesivta building on Troy Avenue and pointed out the ways in which grades 3-7, and the Beis Medrash, were able to expand because of that. For the Beis Medrash alone, this meant space for an additional 90 Bochurim in attendance this year.
The student body of grades 5-7 has drastically increased in the past few years and so has the Staff that provides for them. Rabbi Lustig thanked the Hanhala and the members of his division.
Oholei Torah is expanding at a rapid rate, and the Mesivta’s newest building is a testament to that incredible growth. The school’s perspective has always been to not allow financial difficulties to get in the way of doing what needs to be done.
Their bottom line is the education of our boys and their wellbeing.
