Hakol - Newsletter from Kol Yaakov/Horizons

There is not much mentioned about kiruv (outreach) among the myriad of mitzvos in the Torah or even in the Talmud. Outreach to non-observant Jews is a mitzvah that must be understood and that it is not a mitzvah that is for everyone. (See the Steipler Rov in Kehillos Yaakov - appendix to Volume V). It is clear tha Daas Torah does not encourage one who has only learned two, three or even four years and lacks comprehensive Torah knowledge to be involved in kiruv. In fact, it is abundantly clear that one who is not a talmid chochom should not be involved in outreach. There is popular abuse of kiruv in fashion with the notion that the end justifies the means and that for the sake of reaching out we may compromise authentic standards of Torah. This is born out of the ignorance of people who spend little time delving into Torah. This is in direct contradiction with Daas Torah. (See Hayma Y'nachamuni-Chelek Shmos, Maamar Aleph in the name of the Brisker Rav zt"l). Often when I dare ask questions about why a certain normally unacceptable behavior or interpretation was used to teach potential newcomers to Torah Judaism, the response is almost predictable: "For the sake of kiruv..." That is not in harmony with the Torah perspective. (See letter of Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt"l in the end of Kuntres Hakiruv.)

The Vilna Gaon, in Avos D'Reb Nosson, makes it clear that to teach Torah and to inspire someone who has strayed from Torah Yiddishkeit is a virtue. However, to befriend those who are distant from Torah is wrong.

More dangerous is the notion that those in kiruv are on a higher level than those learning Torah. The Torah is clear-Talmud Torah K'neged Kulam. There is not and will never be any mitzvah greater than limud HaTorah.

There is a prescribed amount that one who is diligent in Torah study should sacrifice to teach those who haven't learned.

From Rav Shimon Shkop zt"l, in his introduction to the sefer Sha'arei Yosher, and the responsa of the Posek Hador, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, there is a unified decision that people who are diligent Torah students should dedicate maaser-a tenth of his time-to teach others. In a recent responsum, written by Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievsky shlit"a (printed in the introduction to the sefer, U'Vsoraso Yehgeh, Volume III) he states clearly that people who are engaged in Torah study are exempt from the mitzvah, despite the famous Tana D'vei Eliyahu that encourages Torah scholars to go out and bring Jews closer to Torah. However, Gedolei Yisroel, leaders of world Jewry, have always been concerned with the prospect of a spiritual neophyte communicating distorted messages of Torah.

Rabbeim and Talmidim from Kol Yaakov hear a shiur delivered by HaRav Gershon Weiss, Mashgiach of Yeshiva of Staten Island, on a recent trip to the mountains.

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It was in the beautiful autumn of ’94, when my friends picked me up to go to a Simchas Torah party at a local shul. Towards the end of the party, on my way out I noticed the ezras nashim packed with people. Curiosity conquered me. I peeked through the window to see what was going on and upon noticing me, the rabbi who was giving a lecture invited me to join them. “Come on in, I promise I won’t bite,” he said with a smile on his face. Rabbi Daniel Hakohen, who is currently a member of a beis din somewhere in NYC, was giving a speech about who the Jewish people are, why we are here in this world and what purpose we come to serve. The lectures were given five days a week, so every time I had a chance, I attended. After a few lectures, I felt a spiritual spark within me, wanting to come closer and closer to Hashem.

I had a few steps to take before I could be considered a baal teshuva. First, I transferred from a public high school to a Yeshiva high school, where I learned a lot about frumkeit. During the first year of school I became very close to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchok Yehoshua, who is currently a chief rabbi of a large Bucharian community of Queens. The Rosh Yeshiva offered me a round-trip ticket to Israel to learn for a year. I couldn’t refuse the offer and decided to take a second step, to expand my opportunity in growing in Torah learning by going to Yeshiva in Jerusalem for a year. Israel opened my eyes even wider: I gained more Torah education and made many friends. After an exciting year in Israel, I came back to the U.S. and decided to pursue college. In four and a half years I earned a degree in Business Management.

Six months after my graduation, I met a brilliant man in Yeshiva Bais Gavriel in Queens, Yosef Ben Haviv, a student of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens. One night I spent about two hours listening to his gemara shiur and was hooked. I started attending his shiur every night and after several nights my spiritual spark ignited like never before. I made Torah learning my top priority. A few weeks had passed and Yosef noticed that I really liked learning. He offered me a full day program in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. I accepted the offer and two days later enrolled. I joined the shiur of Rabbi Mines, a brilliant and accomplished Torah scholar, who opened the minds of many young men including myself in gemara learning. After four months, I met someone named Rabbi Chaim Muscat. You can’t forget his name even if you try. His measureless generosity, good heartedness and unbelievable sense of humor keep his name alive in my mind. Rabbi Muscat has been around and knows many yeshivos in New York and beyond. Many bochurim came to rely on Rabbi Muscat’s advice about attending different yeshivos.

After four months in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim I was ready to move on. So, Rabbi Muskat suggested Yeshiva Kol Yaakov. Two weeks later I packed my bags and went to Monsey, N.Y. I’ve been learning in Kol Yaakov ever since (a year and a half now). During that time I met many great rabbis and friends. Kol Yaakov has helped me to develop my mind toward a Torahway of thinking while showing me how to appreciate life on a deeper level. What’s even more important is that the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Leib Tropper shlit”a is a very caring person. He always puts the bochurim of the yeshiva on his priority list. Reb Leib always makes sure that the bochurim get “the best piece of the pie.” I have to say, I’m very happy in Yeshiva Kol Yaakov Although I have had many positive experiences in other yeshivas, Kol Yaakov has finally provided me with a yeshiva that I’ve felt at home and a place where I’ve been able to learn and grow over an extended and meaningful period of time. I can already see that I am now one of the many talmidim Kol Yaakov has helped make successful in Torah learning in its twenty-two years of existence.

top

Since Kol Yaakov prides itself on focusing on individualized attention, the yeshiva has assembled a team of dedicated rabbeim who learn with talmidim one-on-one. Whether they teach here for the whole day or just an hour, they form a key element in Kol Yaakov's unique program. One such educator, who has been a fixture in Kol Yaakov's beis medrash during morning seder for the last 12 years, is Rabbi Eliyahu Berney.

Rabbi Berney brings to Kol Yaakov a breadth of learning gleaned from major yeshivas throughout the New York area. After learning in the Mesivta of Long Beach, Reb Eliyahu continued his immersion in Torah study at one of the premier institutions in America, Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ and received his smicha from Rav Schustal's kollel in Stamford, CT.

When not inspiring his talmidim at Kol Yaakov, Rabbi Berney is a Rebbe at Yeshivas Darche Noam and serves as General Studies principal together with Rav Ephraim Wachsman at Mesivta Meir Yitzchok (Vien). With all this, Reb Elyahu still finds time (and energy) to be a mentor to young men at a critical juncture in their lives under the auspices of Machon Tiferes Bochurim.

Though we share him with other institutions in Monsey, Rabbi Berney's dedication to Kol Yaakov's talmidim and the on-going kesher he maintains with its alumni testify to his commitment to kiruv rechokim.

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Moshe Chaim Milov on the loss of his father

Rubinson family upon the loss of their husband and father

Reuven & Malka Weinstein on the loss of their son

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1. The Posek HaDor, HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt"l in his response, Igros Moshe, writes that even though one fulfills a Mitzvah by living in Eretz Yisroel, it is not an obligation. (Igros Moshe Vol. 2)

2. The Vilna Rav, Rav Eigish zt"l writes in his responsa, that living in Eretz Yisroel without owning property does not satisfy the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel. (Marcheshes Vol. 1)

3. Early and Later Acharonim concur, if one lives in Eretz Yisroel without Parnassa one does not fulfill the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel. (Responsa of Rivash quoted in Responsa Ohel Moshe (Zweig) Vol. 1.

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Major Rabbinic Conference

It's official... According to the National Jewish Population Study, the number of Jews in the United States has declined in the past decade. It's no surprise that the primary reason is the continued soaring intermarriage rate in which one out of every two marriages in the Jewish community is with a non-Jewish spouse. While we need to redouble our efforts to combat this spiritual holocaust with outreach and education, no one involved in kiruv can escape the need to address the issue as to whether an intermarried Jew is lost forever. Through the tireless work of rabbanim and outreach professionals, a growing number of such marriages choose to pursue a life of authentic Judaism. We are then faced with the challenge converting many of these non-Jewish spouses. The process itself can be daunting, not to speak of the many ramifications for the family, children, community, shidduchim...

Stepping up to the plate, The Eternal Jewish Family, whose purpose is to facilitate "Universally Accepted Conversions" in an intermarriage will be sponsoring a major rabbinic conference dealing with the complex issues of such conversions on September 18-19 at the Newark Sheraton Hotel. The two-day conference is for rabbis and kiruv professionals who are faced with these complex issues in their communities. Thanks to a special grant by the sponsors of the Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride Through Education Project, Tom and Yehuda Dovid Kaplan, a select group of rabbis are being invited to participate in the conference and will have all their expenses covered in order to attend. The conference will comprehensively deal with the full range of issues, including some of the misconceptions about conversions in an intermarriage. Some of the leading halachic experts and foremost Torah authorities, such as HaRav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island and HaRav Yonah Metzger, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel, will be participating. The conference will include sessions, roundtables, discussions, and presentations on the following issues:

The Need for Sensitivity When Dealing with Conversion in an Intermarriage
The Importance of Creating a Universally Accepted Conversion within a Halachic Framework
Practical Halachic Implications of Universally Accepted Conversions
How a Universally Accepted Conversion Changed My Family: First Hand Experience
Life After Conversion: Issues in the Community, the Synagogue and the Family: A Panel Discussion

For more information and/or to apply for the conference, please contact the Eternal Jewish Family Conference at 718-854-4450.

Though plans for the conference are in full swing, Horizons' outreach trips, summer program for college students and tutorials continue with renewed vigor. Recent trips include a springtime excursion to Los Angeles, where Rabbi Leib Tropper brought his unique and charismatic speaking style. Along with a talk to a capacity crowd at Cong. Toras HaShem in Valley Village, Rabbi Tropper (with several bochurim) spent Shabbos with the Pico-Robertson community as scholar-in-residence at Cong. Anshe Emes. Rabbi Tropper's theme was "Dictatorship of Moral Relativism." Rabbi Tropper and Horizons left Los Angeles with promises that they would make another visit to Southern California in the near future.

Continuing an on-going relationship with Lexington, Kentucky, Rabbi Tropper along with native Kentuckian, Michoel Stern, returned to this university town where the Rosh Yeshiva delivered several successful lectures—both for the community at large and at the University of Kentucky. The visit of an Orthodox rabbi to Lexington was such a singular event that it caught the attention of the local media; Horizons' visit was covered by the local paper of record, the Lexington Herald Leader. In an effort to respond to Lexington's thirst for Torah, Kol Yaakov will be making their annual SEED trip there during the summer intersession—complete with stimulating lectures, one-on-one learning, kumzitz, challah baking and a Shabbaton...

On the home-front: it has been gratifying to see, not only the full-time talmidim of the yeshiva delving into the sea of Torah learning, but also the revolving door of short-term visitors who have been inspired by various Horizons outreach trips, to take time off from their busy schedules for a lifechanging, full-emersion Torah experience at Kol Yaakov—be it for a week, a month or a summer.

top

In explaining how I came to Kol Yaakov Yeshiva, I would have to begin when I was just finishing high school in a small, no-name town in the middle of America. It was then that I had the choice of what to do with the rest of my life. At that point I had no idea whatsoever; but I knew I wanted to understand what it was that drew my father to leave his whole family in America and go away to a far-off land. So I got a one-way ticket to Jerusalem to find out.

Once there, I settled for the open doors of a small yeshiva close by my father. That was where I found out that every being has a unique relationship with HaShem. I learned how special it was to be Jewish and different from everyone else. After two years there, it was decided that I should return to America to find a career to support my new life.

I had to find a place where I could stay away from the trap of assimilation and keep learning while pursuing a career. Walking into Kol Yaakov that day, I found a small old house with books lying all over the place, in the middle of a small town with nothing around worth mentioning. Little did I know, my journey had just begun.

At Kol Yaakov I was engulfed in the warmth of Torah without the distractions of the outside world. The yeshiva building was very much like the Torah itself: from the outside it looked old and barren, but once looking within, there was a light that drew you in and carried you along. Just as the Jews had to go to a desolate place to find the Torah, so too I was able to connect with Judaism in Monsey. That was the connection that I had never seen before. It was so simple yet so beautiful.

The Rabbis had a perfect relationship with the yeshiva, each filling in their part of the whole, each with his own experience and point of view; to nourish us with the completeness of Shalom. Then there was the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Tropper. He made himself a father to each of us there. His openness and warmth was natural. He was able to see what was necessary in order for each individual to develop their potential; and like only a father can, put himself in the difficult position of pushing our faces into the heat of the fire to form us into true B'nei Torah. At times, being there was so difficult! All the time I was conspiring ways to escape his fine tuning and, only after I left, was I able to see that I owe my whole life to the yeshiva and Rabbi Tropper.

Looking back on events, it is clear that Kol Yaakov made me what I am today. I am a husband and a father working hard to raise my family in the proper Derech HaTorah. I am only sorry that I did not have more time to spend at the yeshiva.Thank you for the opportunity to express my gratitude to my home in Monsey.

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Rabbi & Mrs. Yehuda Friedland upon the birth of their son, Eliyohu Dov

Reuven & Esther Glauser on the birth of their daughter, Rochel

Mr. & Mrs. Avi Jaman upon the birth of their daughter, Peri

Mr. & Mrs. Gedalya Sloshay upon the birth of their daughter

Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Ludzker upon the birth of their son, Pinchos Shlomo

Mr. & Mrs. Yonason Meadows upon the birth of their son

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Wedeck upon the birth of their daughter

Steven & Abby Rubinstein on the birth of their son

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Wallen on the birth of their son

Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Stefansky upon the bar mitzvah of their son, Moshe

Rabbi & Reb. Tropper upon the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Yedidya Shaked

Rabbi & Mrs. Yechezkel Shain upon the bar mitzvah of their son, Shimon Akiva

Yoni Brukirer upon his engagement to Chani Zidele

Mr. Yechezkel Wagner on his engagement

Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Weinstein upon the engagement of their son

Rabbi & Mrs. Shimshon Adler upon the marriage of their son

Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Beller upon the marriage of their son, Aaron

Zvi Yosef Nulman upon his marriage to Ilana D’ver

Moshe Rosen upon his marriage to Miriam Rivka Adler

Nosson Shvarts upon his marriage to Victoria Kanevsky

Dr. & Mrs. Reuven Glassman upon the marriage of their daughter, to Moshe Felsenberg

Rabbi & Mrs. Alter Klein upon moving to Eretz Yisroel

YOUR MAZEL TOVS ARE OUR MAZEL TOVS. PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR SIMCHOS BY CALLING THE OFFICE OR EMAILING US.

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Student Profile \| Halachic Insights \| Letters from Alumni \| Mazel Tov Condolences \| Hakol Info \| Hakol Index
There is not much mentioned about kiruv (outreach) among the myriad of mitzvos in the Torah or even in the Talmud. Outreach to non-observant Jews is a mitzvah that must be understood and that it is not a mitzvah that is for everyone. (See the Steipler Rov in Kehillos Yaakov - appendix to Volume V). It is clear tha Daas Torah does not encourage one who has only learned two, three or even four years and lacks comprehensive Torah knowledge to be involved in kiruv. In fact, it is abundantly clear that one who is not a talmid chochom should not be involved in outreach. There is popular abuse of kiruv in fashion with the notion that the end justifies the means and that for the sake of reaching out we may compromise authentic standards of Torah. This is born out of the ignorance of people who spend little time delving into Torah. This is in direct contradiction with Daas Torah. (See Hayma Y'nachamuni-Chelek Shmos, Maamar Aleph in the name of the Brisker Rav zt"l). Often when I dare ask questions about why a certain normally unacceptable behavior or interpretation was used to teach potential newcomers to Torah Judaism, the response is almost predictable: "For the sake of kiruv..." That is not in harmony with the Torah perspective. (See letter of Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt"l in the end of Kuntres Hakiruv.) The Vilna Gaon, in Avos D'Reb Nosson, makes it clear that to teach Torah and to inspire someone who has strayed from Torah Yiddishkeit is a virtue. However, to befriend those who are distant from Torah is wrong. More dangerous is the notion that those in kiruv are on a higher level than those learning Torah. The Torah is clear-Talmud Torah K'neged Kulam. There is not and will never be any mitzvah greater than limud HaTorah. There is a prescribed amount that one who is diligent in Torah study should sacrifice to teach those who haven't learned. From Rav Shimon Shkop zt"l, in his introduction to the sefer Sha'arei Yosher, and the responsa of the Posek Hador, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, there is a unified decision that people who are diligent Torah students should dedicate maaser-a tenth of his time-to teach others. In a recent responsum, written by Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievsky shlit"a (printed in the introduction to the sefer, U'Vsoraso Yehgeh, Volume III) he states clearly that people who are engaged in Torah study are exempt from the mitzvah, despite the famous Tana D'vei Eliyahu that encourages Torah scholars to go out and bring Jews closer to Torah. However, Gedolei Yisroel, leaders of world Jewry, have always been concerned with the prospect of a spiritual neophyte communicating distorted messages of Torah. Rabbeim and Talmidim from Kol Yaakov hear a shiur delivered by HaRav Gershon Weiss, Mashgiach of Yeshiva of Staten Island, on a recent trip to the mountains. top It was in the beautiful autumn of ’94, when my friends picked me up to go to a Simchas Torah party at a local shul. Towards the end of the party, on my way out I noticed the ezras nashim packed with people. Curiosity conquered me. I peeked through the window to see what was going on and upon noticing me, the rabbi who was giving a lecture invited me to join them. “Come on in, I promise I won’t bite,” he said with a smile on his face. Rabbi Daniel Hakohen, who is currently a member of a beis din somewhere in NYC, was giving a speech about who the Jewish people are, why we are here in this world and what purpose we come to serve. The lectures were given five days a week, so every time I had a chance, I attended. After a few lectures, I felt a spiritual spark within me, wanting to come closer and closer to Hashem. I had a few steps to take before I could be considered a baal teshuva. First, I transferred from a public high school to a Yeshiva high school, where I learned a lot about frumkeit. During the first year of school I became very close to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchok Yehoshua, who is currently a chief rabbi of a large Bucharian community of Queens. The Rosh Yeshiva offered me a round-trip ticket to Israel to learn for a year. I couldn’t refuse the offer and decided to take a second step, to expand my opportunity in growing in Torah learning by going to Yeshiva in Jerusalem for a year. Israel opened my eyes even wider: I gained more Torah education and made many friends. After an exciting year in Israel, I came back to the U.S. and decided to pursue college. In four and a half years I earned a degree in Business Management. Six months after my graduation, I met a brilliant man in Yeshiva Bais Gavriel in Queens, Yosef Ben Haviv, a student of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens. One night I spent about two hours listening to his gemara shiur and was hooked. I started attending his shiur every night and after several nights my spiritual spark ignited like never before. I made Torah learning my top priority. A few weeks had passed and Yosef noticed that I really liked learning. He offered me a full day program in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. I accepted the offer and two days later enrolled. I joined the shiur of Rabbi Mines, a brilliant and accomplished Torah scholar, who opened the minds of many young men including myself in gemara learning. After four months, I met someone named Rabbi Chaim Muscat. You can’t forget his name even if you try. His measureless generosity, good heartedness and unbelievable sense of humor keep his name alive in my mind. Rabbi Muscat has been around and knows many yeshivos in New York and beyond. Many bochurim came to rely on Rabbi Muscat’s advice about attending different yeshivos. After four months in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim I was ready to move on. So, Rabbi Muskat suggested Yeshiva Kol Yaakov. Two weeks later I packed my bags and went to Monsey, N.Y. I’ve been learning in Kol Yaakov ever since (a year and a half now). During that time I met many great rabbis and friends. Kol Yaakov has helped me to develop my mind toward a Torahway of thinking while showing me how to appreciate life on a deeper level. What’s even more important is that the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Leib Tropper shlit”a is a very caring person. He always puts the bochurim of the yeshiva on his priority list. Reb Leib always makes sure that the bochurim get “the best piece of the pie.” I have to say, I’m very happy in Yeshiva Kol Yaakov Although I have had many positive experiences in other yeshivas, Kol Yaakov has finally provided me with a yeshiva that I’ve felt at home and a place where I’ve been able to learn and grow over an extended and meaningful period of time. I can already see that I am now one of the many talmidim Kol Yaakov has helped make successful in Torah learning in its twenty-two years of existence. top Since Kol Yaakov prides itself on focusing on individualized attention, the yeshiva has assembled a team of dedicated rabbeim who learn with talmidim one-on-one. Whether they teach here for the whole day or just an hour, they form a key element in Kol Yaakov's unique program. One such educator, who has been a fixture in Kol Yaakov's beis medrash during morning seder for the last 12 years, is Rabbi Eliyahu Berney. Rabbi Berney brings to Kol Yaakov a breadth of learning gleaned from major yeshivas throughout the New York area. After learning in the Mesivta of Long Beach, Reb Eliyahu continued his immersion in Torah study at one of the premier institutions in America, Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ and received his smicha from Rav Schustal's kollel in Stamford, CT. When not inspiring his talmidim at Kol Yaakov, Rabbi Berney is a Rebbe at Yeshivas Darche Noam and serves as General Studies principal together with Rav Ephraim Wachsman at Mesivta Meir Yitzchok (Vien). With all this, Reb Elyahu still finds time (and energy) to be a mentor to young men at a critical juncture in their lives under the auspices of Machon Tiferes Bochurim. Though we share him with other institutions in Monsey, Rabbi Berney's dedication to Kol Yaakov's talmidim and the on-going kesher he maintains with its alumni testify to his commitment to kiruv rechokim. top Moshe Chaim Milov on the loss of his father Rubinson family upon the loss of their husband and father Reuven & Malka Weinstein on the loss of their son top 1. The Posek HaDor, HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt"l in his response, Igros Moshe, writes that even though one fulfills a Mitzvah by living in Eretz Yisroel, it is not an obligation. (Igros Moshe Vol. 2) 2. The Vilna Rav, Rav Eigish zt"l writes in his responsa, that living in Eretz Yisroel without owning property does not satisfy the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel. (Marcheshes Vol. 1) 3. Early and Later Acharonim concur, if one lives in Eretz Yisroel without Parnassa one does not fulfill the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel. (Responsa of Rivash quoted in Responsa Ohel Moshe (Zweig) Vol. 1. top	Major Rabbinic Conference It's official... According to the National Jewish Population Study, the number of Jews in the United States has declined in the past decade. It's no surprise that the primary reason is the continued soaring intermarriage rate in which one out of every two marriages in the Jewish community is with a non-Jewish spouse. While we need to redouble our efforts to combat this spiritual holocaust with outreach and education, no one involved in kiruv can escape the need to address the issue as to whether an intermarried Jew is lost forever. Through the tireless work of rabbanim and outreach professionals, a growing number of such marriages choose to pursue a life of authentic Judaism. We are then faced with the challenge converting many of these non-Jewish spouses. The process itself can be daunting, not to speak of the many ramifications for the family, children, community, shidduchim... Stepping up to the plate, The Eternal Jewish Family, whose purpose is to facilitate "Universally Accepted Conversions" in an intermarriage will be sponsoring a major rabbinic conference dealing with the complex issues of such conversions on September 18-19 at the Newark Sheraton Hotel. The two-day conference is for rabbis and kiruv professionals who are faced with these complex issues in their communities. Thanks to a special grant by the sponsors of the Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride Through Education Project, Tom and Yehuda Dovid Kaplan, a select group of rabbis are being invited to participate in the conference and will have all their expenses covered in order to attend. The conference will comprehensively deal with the full range of issues, including some of the misconceptions about conversions in an intermarriage. Some of the leading halachic experts and foremost Torah authorities, such as HaRav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island and HaRav Yonah Metzger, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel, will be participating. The conference will include sessions, roundtables, discussions, and presentations on the following issues: The Need for Sensitivity When Dealing with Conversion in an Intermarriage The Importance of Creating a Universally Accepted Conversion within a Halachic Framework Practical Halachic Implications of Universally Accepted Conversions How a Universally Accepted Conversion Changed My Family: First Hand Experience Life After Conversion: Issues in the Community, the Synagogue and the Family: A Panel Discussion For more information and/or to apply for the conference, please contact the Eternal Jewish Family Conference at 718-854-4450. Though plans for the conference are in full swing, Horizons' outreach trips, summer program for college students and tutorials continue with renewed vigor. Recent trips include a springtime excursion to Los Angeles, where Rabbi Leib Tropper brought his unique and charismatic speaking style. Along with a talk to a capacity crowd at Cong. Toras HaShem in Valley Village, Rabbi Tropper (with several bochurim) spent Shabbos with the Pico-Robertson community as scholar-in-residence at Cong. Anshe Emes. Rabbi Tropper's theme was "Dictatorship of Moral Relativism." Rabbi Tropper and Horizons left Los Angeles with promises that they would make another visit to Southern California in the near future. Continuing an on-going relationship with Lexington, Kentucky, Rabbi Tropper along with native Kentuckian, Michoel Stern, returned to this university town where the Rosh Yeshiva delivered several successful lectures—both for the community at large and at the University of Kentucky. The visit of an Orthodox rabbi to Lexington was such a singular event that it caught the attention of the local media; Horizons' visit was covered by the local paper of record, the Lexington Herald Leader. In an effort to respond to Lexington's thirst for Torah, Kol Yaakov will be making their annual SEED trip there during the summer intersession—complete with stimulating lectures, one-on-one learning, kumzitz, challah baking and a Shabbaton... On the home-front: it has been gratifying to see, not only the full-time talmidim of the yeshiva delving into the sea of Torah learning, but also the revolving door of short-term visitors who have been inspired by various Horizons outreach trips, to take time off from their busy schedules for a lifechanging, full-emersion Torah experience at Kol Yaakov—be it for a week, a month or a summer. top In explaining how I came to Kol Yaakov Yeshiva, I would have to begin when I was just finishing high school in a small, no-name town in the middle of America. It was then that I had the choice of what to do with the rest of my life. At that point I had no idea whatsoever; but I knew I wanted to understand what it was that drew my father to leave his whole family in America and go away to a far-off land. So I got a one-way ticket to Jerusalem to find out. Once there, I settled for the open doors of a small yeshiva close by my father. That was where I found out that every being has a unique relationship with HaShem. I learned how special it was to be Jewish and different from everyone else. After two years there, it was decided that I should return to America to find a career to support my new life. I had to find a place where I could stay away from the trap of assimilation and keep learning while pursuing a career. Walking into Kol Yaakov that day, I found a small old house with books lying all over the place, in the middle of a small town with nothing around worth mentioning. Little did I know, my journey had just begun. At Kol Yaakov I was engulfed in the warmth of Torah without the distractions of the outside world. The yeshiva building was very much like the Torah itself: from the outside it looked old and barren, but once looking within, there was a light that drew you in and carried you along. Just as the Jews had to go to a desolate place to find the Torah, so too I was able to connect with Judaism in Monsey. That was the connection that I had never seen before. It was so simple yet so beautiful. The Rabbis had a perfect relationship with the yeshiva, each filling in their part of the whole, each with his own experience and point of view; to nourish us with the completeness of Shalom. Then there was the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Tropper. He made himself a father to each of us there. His openness and warmth was natural. He was able to see what was necessary in order for each individual to develop their potential; and like only a father can, put himself in the difficult position of pushing our faces into the heat of the fire to form us into true B'nei Torah. At times, being there was so difficult! All the time I was conspiring ways to escape his fine tuning and, only after I left, was I able to see that I owe my whole life to the yeshiva and Rabbi Tropper. Looking back on events, it is clear that Kol Yaakov made me what I am today. I am a husband and a father working hard to raise my family in the proper Derech HaTorah. I am only sorry that I did not have more time to spend at the yeshiva.Thank you for the opportunity to express my gratitude to my home in Monsey. top Rabbi & Mrs. Yehuda Friedland upon the birth of their son, Eliyohu Dov Reuven & Esther Glauser on the birth of their daughter, Rochel Mr. & Mrs. Avi Jaman upon the birth of their daughter, Peri Mr. & Mrs. Gedalya Sloshay upon the birth of their daughter Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Ludzker upon the birth of their son, Pinchos Shlomo Mr. & Mrs. Yonason Meadows upon the birth of their son Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Wedeck upon the birth of their daughter Steven & Abby Rubinstein on the birth of their son Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Wallen on the birth of their son Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Stefansky upon the bar mitzvah of their son, Moshe Rabbi & Reb. Tropper upon the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Yedidya Shaked Rabbi & Mrs. Yechezkel Shain upon the bar mitzvah of their son, Shimon Akiva Yoni Brukirer upon his engagement to Chani Zidele Mr. Yechezkel Wagner on his engagement Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Weinstein upon the engagement of their son Rabbi & Mrs. Shimshon Adler upon the marriage of their son Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Beller upon the marriage of their son, Aaron Zvi Yosef Nulman upon his marriage to Ilana D’ver Moshe Rosen upon his marriage to Miriam Rivka Adler Nosson Shvarts upon his marriage to Victoria Kanevsky Dr. & Mrs. Reuven Glassman upon the marriage of their daughter, to Moshe Felsenberg Rabbi & Mrs. Alter Klein upon moving to Eretz Yisroel YOUR MAZEL TOVS ARE OUR MAZEL TOVS. PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR SIMCHOS BY CALLING THE OFFICE OR EMAILING US. top