Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Montreal was ablaze with the warmth and light of Chassidus this week as students and staff came together for an unforgettable Yud Tes Kislev celebration. Marking the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus,” the festivities were defined by incredible energy, a beautiful fleishig seuda, and a series of phenomenal performances that brought the history of the day to life.
The main event kicked off with an electric opening led by Rabbi Menkes, who guided the room in a powerful recital of the 12 Pesukim. The highlight of the celebration was a dramatic retelling of the story of 19 Kislev. Narrated with great animation by Rabbi Nachum Greenwald, the saga was vividly acted out by Rabbi Teitelbaum’s Kita 5. The students used props they had worked hard to create, depicting iconic scenes such as the arrest, the shvartze wagon, the Shabbos tree, the Czar in jail, and the Kiddush Levana on the boat. The performance left the audience absolutely captivated.
Following the drama, the room erupted in song and dance. With live music and spirited vocals, the boys sang beautifully using special “Pada Beshalom” sheets complete with nekudos. The joy was palpable as the students eventually jumped onto the benches, celebrating with pure Chassidic fervor. The event concluded with a lively bentching and a raffle for two beautiful canvas pictures of the Rebbe.
The celebration had actually begun earlier that day with an exclusive “VIP Experience” for Kitas Vov and Zayin. This special program included a Bar Mitzvah Breakfast & Farbrengen where students shared stories and Divrei Torah. Later, for the main meal, these grades split up to enjoy a warm, home-style Yom Tov atmosphere hosted by families across the community, joined by guest Farbrengers who uplifted the gathering with inspiring words.
The Yeshiva extends its deepest gratitude to the many individuals who made this massive undertaking possible. A heartfelt thank you goes to Rabbi Bresinger for organizing the whole event. A special thank you goes to Mrs. L. Gansbourg and Mrs. R. Raskin for organizing the elegant meal and setup, with delicious catering by Ari Raskin and essential prep work by Mrs. Abramowitz, Mrs. Gilbert, and Mrs. Azulay. We thank Rabbi Menkes for leading the 12 Pesukim and raffles, and Rabbi Moshe Cohen for donating the raffle prizes. Special appreciation goes to the artistic and musical contributors: Rabbi Nachum Greenwald for the storytelling and video compilation, Rabbi Teitelbaum and Kita 5 for their incredible performance, Avremel Zirkind on keys, Rabbi Dovid Cohen on the mic, and Efraim Bolonin for photography. We also thank Rabbi Sheiner’s Kita 7 and other students who served as waiters and helped transport equipment. For the VIP program, we thank the Gansbourg family for the breakfast spread, Rabbi Lavi Klein for leading the davening and farbrengen, and the Smetana, Kremer, and Silberstein families for opening their homes. Finally, thank you to Rabbis Samama, New, and Shaingarten for farbrenging with the boys, and to Mendel Kaufman and the mothers who packed and delivered the food trays. Gut Yom Tov to all!
Heartwarming. Yasher koach to all the organizers!