The annual Dinner of Yeshivas Ezras Torah that took place
recently was another timely reminder of the central place
that the Yeshiva has taken in the lives of many families
throughout the world. As Dayan O. Westheim, the nosi
hayeshiva, remarked, the talmidim of every yeshiva
are considered as bonayich — builders, since
they are all setting the foundations for their future lives.
This is certainly true for the bochurim of Yeshivas
Ezras Torah who have their full potential nurtured and
brought out through the dedicated efforts of the hanholas
hayeshiva.
Since its inception nine-and-a-half years ago, Yeshivas Ezras
Torah has gained an enviable reputation for the high
achievements of the bochurim who graduate from it to
many other yeshivos around the world.
The catered seudah, which was immaculately laid out
and held in the Beis Yosef Hall, Prestwich, was enhanced by
the presence of the rabbonei ho'ir, representing most
of the mosdos of the town. The top table was also
graced by HaRav Meir Kessler, the rav of Kiryat Sefer, who
spoke expressively about the image that the Yeshiva has
gained in the Torah world. He then conveyed the brochos
of Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, by reading out his
personal letter that he had received before he left Eretz
Yisroel.
Rabbi M.M. Schneebalg, the moro de'asra, once again
gave his full-hearted divrei brocho to the yeshiva. He
emphasized the absolute obligation on every person to support
and to encourage the efforts of the yeshiva in every way.
Many of the speakers emphasized the success of the Yeshiva in
infusing a ruach of achievement and inspiration within
the beis hamedrash walls. This high level of limud
haTorah is made possible by individual attention to each
bochur and a wide range of activities during the
year.
The evening featured some of the premier speakers in Britain.
The chairman was Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein, who himself gives a
regular shiur in the yeshiva. He illustrated the worth
of the yeshiva through a wealth of anecdotes, demonstrating
how the yeshiva blazes a way for the bochurim through
the metaphorical mine fields of life.
In an emotional droshoh, the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi
Michoel Emanuel summarized the latest achievements of the
yeshiva. He gratefully acknowledged the essential part played
by the dedicated efforts of the hanholoh, who make
themselves continually available to the bochurim. He
also gave thanks for the vital help given by all the
supporters who help the yeshiva throughout the year. Rabbi
Emanuel suggested that a vital way to reinforce our
hashkofas haTorah is by strengthening our own
dikduk in tefilloh. If we would demonstrate the
importance that davening has in our own eyes, then our
children would also understand how essential this facet of
our life really is to us.
The guest speaker was Rabbi Yonoson Abraham, dayan of
the London Beis Din. Rabbi Abraham has gained an
international reputation during his career in Melbourne,
Australia, and later in England. He highlighted the role of
the Yeshiva in the community as a true ezras Torah, a
support and help for Torah in general. Dayan Abraham
elaborated at length on the long-term effect that mesirus
nefesh can have, even generations later. He illustrated
with personal experiences that the consequences of dedication
and doing mitzvos lishmah might manifest itself many
years later.
A presentation was made on behalf of the Yeshiva to Mr. Kovi
Mozes for his continued efforts throughout the year.
