By COLlive reporter
More than 50 students recently got a “Taste of Yeshiva” in Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown, New Jersey. Most students stayed for an entire week, some for a month, and many more visited just for several days, joining the full-time talmidim for a packed experience of learning.
The illustrious hanhola of Tiferes and Tomchei Temimim taught their legendary classes, and special sessions were led by guest Rabbis such as Rabbi Eli Silberstein, Rabbi Kivi Greenbaum and Rabbi Shalom Lubin and a Melave Malka hosted by the renowned lecturer Rabbi YY Jacobson at his home in Monsey, NY.
“Our objective is to give all the students an authentic yeshiva experience, and have them leave yearning for more,” said Rabbi Yaakov Wagner, who teaches Gemara and Chassidus at Tiferes. “Our talmidim are the best hosts, welcoming the guests and learning with them while modeling for them what a tomim is.”
“In just a short time in Tiferes I have had the opportunity not only to take my learning and davening to a higher level but also to experience the chassidishe derher of this very special community,” shared Jonah Kaufman-Cohen, who came from Rabbi Yaakov Kirshenbaum in Washington Heights. “My time in Tiferes has shown me that I am ready to take the next leap into living a life of Torah and Mitzos, not just within the walls of the yeshiva but as I walk through the wider world. “
David Pekar, a real estate broker and project manager in Toronto, expressed, “What an incredible experience it was to join the Tiferes winter program. I couldn’t thank the Rabbis and my peers enough for the teachings, support, kindness, and most importantly the amazing energy they’ve shared with me. Each day was loaded with various activities and practices that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to be back here again.”
David Piekarski and three more friends were accompanied by his Rabbi Kamchaji Benny, Youth Coordinator at Beth Chabad Israeli Community in Toronto and himself a Tiferes alumnus. He is also inspired and guided back home by Rabbi Israel Landa from Chabad Israeli Community and Rabbi Leibel Kaplan from Chabad Flamingo.
Felipe Ramos came with a friend from Brazil. He said “Coming to Tiferet was the best decision I could have made for my summer (Brazilian summer, American winter). I’ve been able to learn a lot about Judaism and connecting to Hashem. The Rabbis are extremely helpful and the students as well. In fact, being able to meet Jews from around the world is surely one of the best parts of this incredible experience. I have only gratitude toward Rabbi Mendy Zieger, who brought me here, Rabbi Avraham Steinmetz who has been guiding me and all the other people involved in my spiritual journey.”
The entire team, and especially Baruch Hecht – are so inspirational.