Yarchei Kallah Concludes With Festive Melave Malka

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Itzik Roytman

A festive Melave Malka was held on Motzoei Shabbos Ekev to conclude the Global Yarchei Kallah, an annual gathering of esteemed rabbis, Roshei Yeshiva and Mashpiim.

Held at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York, it drew Chassidim of all ages from around the Catskills for a special evening of Torah, Chassidus and even lively dancing.

The Yarchei Kallah is held annually in honor of Chof Av, the yartzeit of the Rebbe‘s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, of sacred memory, the great gaon, chossid and mekubal.

It was opened by Rabbi Zalman Wilschansky, Rosh Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Morristown, NJ, welcoming the crowd. He explained who the Rebbe’s father was and his dedication to spreading Judaism in the face of brutal oppression from the communist regime.

The first speaker was Rabbi Efraim Demichovsky, Mashgiach of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad and one of the “choizrim” of the Rebbe. He summarized a Sicha of the Rebbe, which explains a short passage from the Rebbe’s father about Igeres Hatshuva.

A short musical interlude followed, with renowned Chazan and singer Levi Falkowitz of Monroe, entertaining the crowd with a beautiful rendition of “Hamavdil” and “A Gute Voch.” He was accompanied by musician Yossi Eidlisz.

The next speaker was Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, the legendary Shliach of the Rebbe and chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International. He established the Yarchei Kallah 49 years ago to the Rebbe’s great satisfaction.

In fact, the Rebbe would request that Chassidim attend the Melave Malka and once mentioned how it was part of his fulfillment of the Mitzvah of honor one’s parents (even after their passing).

In his remarks, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov explained the great merit and responsibility of each and every person to bring the word of G-d to the world until such time when Moshiach will come.

He also related that when the campgrounds in Parksville were purchased, he brought the keys to the Rebbe during a Yechidus. The Rebbe responded that he was giving the keys “on loan” to the directors of the camp. Rabbi Shemtov concluded that the camp was “the Rebbe’s property.”

The main speaker was Rabbi Yitzchok Aizik Landa, Chief Rabbi and Av Beis Din of Bnei Brak, who presented a fascinating Pilpul on the topic of Hakhel, how it was done and where, discussing the Gemara, which describes the millions of Jews who came for Hakhel to hear the King read from the Torah, which was in the Kodesh Ha’kodashim and was written by Moshe.

The last speaker for the event was Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Oholei Torah in Crown Heights, who spoke in English about the main lessons we learn from Hakhel and how bochurim should dedicate themselves to understanding what they learn and be passionate about it.

Participants warmly thanked the camp director Rabbi Yossi Futerfas for hosting the Yarchei Kallah and his brother Rabbi Shlomo Futerfas for catering it. Also thanked were the dedicated staff members of the camp.

Helping with its coordination were Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) and senior Shliach to Washington, DC, and Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Outreach Director of Chabad Tucson in Arizona.

This was the 49th Yarchei Kallah gathering and it concluded with bentching and joyous dancing by the rabbis, staff members from camp, and guests. They were thankful the event was being held in person again and wished that the milestone 50th Yarchei Kallah will be held in Yerushalayim.