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22 Kislev 5764 - December 17, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Yarchei Kalloh? Me? You must be Joking!
By Dr Sholom Springer

It's a bit like stepping out of the plane at Ben Gurion. The warm gust of air that hits you is always a little unexpected, but you know you've arrived and that feeling of elation takes over.

The moment you cross the threshold of the Normandie Hotel -- where it all happens -- the European Yarchei Kalloh buzz engulfs you. As yet nary a sefer has been opened, not a shiur given or received, but even at this stage it is written all over their faces. There are old timers who have never missed a Yarchei Kalloh, more recent recruits, and new timers with their faces positively aglow at nothing in particular except the sheer anticipation of what is to come and the joy they know will be theirs.

The atmosphere is palpable. Not having participated in one of these magnificent events it is impossible to think your way into imagining what it will be like. As you read this, you are, as you are: secure in your own familiar environment. But once there, something else begins to stir as the week unfolds. Subtle changes within yourself occur as you become part and parcel of a different reality.

It is perfectly understandable that the thought of spending a week of one's precious time (not to mention the expense) in an environment which is, or has become, somewhat distanced from our normal way of living does not immediately engender a warm glow.

We all went through that feeling: "I haven't the zitsfleish anymore! What? All day?" -- "What if I'm bored after a few shiurim? I'll be a bit stuck, won't I?"

It's not that you don't yearn to be associated with Torah. Of course you do! Why else would you be supporting son(s)(in- law) in learning?

"But me? I was never that way inclined and, let's face it, by now I've missed the boat."

You could not be more mistaken. Without putting the clock back, the Yarchei Kalloh concept manages, by the magic of Torah and the unique way the event is organized, to recapture your youth. The feeling of strangeness is quickly replaced by one of comfort and serenity in your new, if temporary, surroundings. From the outset you are transported into the special atmosphere, which is at once yeshivish in outlook and direction, exquisitely balanced and blended into a mature and relaxed program which fully accommodates the requirements of those of us who are a little further along the time line.

Feel the joy of rediscovering the lomdish shiur, and bask in the glorious realization that you have fully understood the pearls of wisdom of the incomparable HaGaon HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky, delivered in his unique, engaging (and -- dare I say it?), highly entertaining style. Discover that you are really getting a lift out of it and can hardly contain yourself to wait for the next exciting installment.

Of course much, perhaps most, of this success is directly due to the superb quality of the maggidei shiur who, with their legendary powers of hasboroh truly excel themselves at events such as Yarchei Kalloh.

There is so much for everyone here. There is lomdus with clarity, interaction and participation and, above all, enthusiasm and joy. Well-liked maggidei shiur -- HaRav Boruch Pines, HaRav Arye Dunner and HaRav Chaim Peretz Berman -- delight their participants throughout the week, each in his own way. The option is there to stick to the same shiur, or to sample the varying delights of the differing shiur styles as the will takes you. No problem! Feel free!

And each evening you can brush up on your halochoh as you listen to the expertise of Rabbi Dovid Heller, who masterfully weaves his refined top-of-his-class knowledge of halochoh into the hurly-burly of real life. And if you are up with the lark and have a little spare energy, you can start your day with a shiur Daf Yomi delivered with the confidence, clarity and pithy humor of HaRav Simche Bamberger.

All these offerings -- could anyone ask for more?

Don't worry, you are unlikely to become a talmid chochom overnight. But sitting for a few days at the feet of these masters, you will begin to appreciate again the depths of Torah and how unaware you have become of its profundity. Permitting yourself the exposure to these scintillating shiurim will engender a fresh appreciation of talmidei chachomim and rabbonim. Surely there can be few things more important for the aspiring ben Torah.

Sitting, sharing mealtimes, and learning, punctuated by bein-hasedorim breaks with friends, past, present and brand new (not necessarily in that order), quickly breeds a spirit of infectious camaraderie. It is perhaps this, above all else, which creates the special atmosphere unique to Yarchei Kalloh.

And the ladies are not forgotten. Quite apart from a guaranteed wonderful week at a comfortable hotel with excellent cuisine, stimulating shiurim for them are scheduled at least twice each day. The ever-popular daily mussar shmooze by Rabbi Povarsky delivered to the men is simultaneously relayed to the ladies from the main beis hamedrash. Shiurim on other exciting topics are given by world renowned speakers such as Rabbi Eliyohu Falk.

At this point I distinctly detect your irritation that no mention of that much-used cliche about "recharging the batteries" (no article is complete without it) has as yet been made. Sorry to disappoint you, but that one will not be rolled out here. It's like this, we people are neither motorcars nor mobile phones, and I'm sure I don't even have a battery!

The Yarchei Kalloh experience will not just recharge some part of you, nor merely enhance your energy levels: it will positively change you into a different person altogether. Let Yarchei Kalloh rekindle your relationship with the Ribono Shel Oilom and His Torah. Permit the atmosphere to ignite that warmth and enthusiasm for knowledge and enhance your respect for talmidei chachomim, as no other experience could. In short, what you will receive is a total overhaul and refit (if you need an analogy).

Summon your courage and take the plunge. Prepare to surprise yourself on how much and how deeply you will enjoy and appreciate Yarchei Kalloh week. Life will never be the same, and you will never look back. Meet the most unlikely acquaintances and involuntarily declare, "Didn't think you came here!"

See you there.

The 32nd European Yarchei Kalloh at the Normandie Hotel, Bournemouth runs from Sunday 3rd Teves/ 28 December 2003 to Sunday 10th Teves/ 4th January 2004.

For further details and booking contact: Michoel Lobenstein 020 8211 1769 or 020 8809 1869 (fax 020 8809 7161).

 

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