Fifty families, totaling around 330 people, enjoyed another
two week Yarchei Kallah on the campus of Newton Rigg
Agricultural College in the heart of the Lake District this
summer. With magnificent surroundings of farmland and mountain
countryside, Yarchei Kallah provided, as always, a beautiful
blend of ruchniyus and gashmiyus.
The morning learning seder was from the gemora,
perek Mi Shemeiso of maseches Brochos.
Shiurim were conducted in Yiddish by Rabbi Boruch Pines
and in English by Rabbi Michoel Fletcher. Evening sessions
consisted of shiurim on a wide range of stimulating
subjects in Yiddish and English, for both men and women. Rabbi
Falk, Dayan Westheim, Rabbi Fletcher, Rabbi Chaim Krausz, and
Rabbi Spiro spoke regularly on a wide range of subjects of
halocho and hashkofo. Daf Hayomi shiurim
were given by Rabbi Hirschler in Yiddish and Reb Dovid
Dominitz in English.
Boys' shiurim were conducted by Mr. Yaakov Cohen, Mr.
Liebi Margulies and Mr. Dovid Rose. Bochurim had a
special gemora shiur based on the maseches
Hakallah given by Rabbi Moshe Rosenbaum. Morning group
activities for both boys and girls were coordinated by
enthusiastic young leaders.
The menahel hakallah was once again Rabbi Shimon
Hirschler, who inspired the bnei hakallah with daily
droshos delivered after Mincha in the eloquent
and dynamic style for which he is renowned. He took as his
theme the mishna in Ovos "Ben chomeish shonim
. . . ," analyzing the madreigos of life as
expounded by Chazal. Rabbi Hirschler injected special vitality
into all the Yarchei Kallah proceedings.
Outings coordinated by Mrs. Pinnick and Rebbetzin Fletcher
were arranged every afternoon to beautiful mountains, forests,
farms, lakes and parks of visual beauty and recreational
interest in Cumbria. Swimming, football and basketball were
available on or near the campus, and bicycles and scooters
were supplied to the children. Seminary girls under the
direction of Mrs. Pinnick assisted families in caring for
children and worked in the kitchen and dining room, providing
parents with ample time for learning and recreation. The food
was of high standard throughout, thanks to the efforts of the
chef, Mr. Yisroel Nussbaum and catering manager Mr. Eli
Denderowicz.
An eruv for use on Shabbos was erected around the
campus under the direction of Rabbi Falk and Rabbi Spiro. A
boys' choir, the first for Yarchei Kallah, enhanced the
Shabbos seudos. Yarchei Kallah's prevailing atmosphere
of friendship and simcha reached its peak during the
Shabbosos, continuing through to the early hours of Sunday
morning with highly convivial melavei malkah.
The olom was honored on the second Shabbos with the
presence of the Gateshead Rov, Rabbi Bezalel Rakow, and his
Rebbetzin. Rabbi Rakow gave shiurim during Shabbos and
enhanced the ruach of the davening.
The special quality of unity which exists at Yarchei Kallah
was extolled by Rabbi Hirschler at the closing Neilah
session. He quoted the words of Tehillim, "Sheves achim gam
yachad," pointing out that "achim" is the rosh
hatevos of "Ashkenazim, Chassidim, Yekkes, and
Misnagedim."
Dayan Westheim spoke on the deeper meanings of derech
eretz. He explained that no person can understand the real
meaning of chesed without Torah. Rabbi Falk affirmed
that the best protection for the Jewish people, especially in
these difficult times of nisyonos endured by the people
of Eretz Yisroel, is intensified mesirus nefesh
in adherence to mitzvos and Yiddishkeit.
First-time participant Mr. Dan Levy thanked the
rabbonim and administrative staff on behalf of the
bnei hakallah. Mr. Levy described how much he and his
family benefited from a superb holiday in what could only be
described as "the ideal kehilloh." Generous tribute was
paid to the organizers, Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Pinnick, whose
years of exceptional dedication and patience have ensured
Yarchei Kallah's continued success. Thanks were extended to
Mr. Danny Rubin for directing the Hatzolah facilities,
Mr. Margulies for acting as shul gabbai and
coordinating the boys' choir, and Mr. Moshe Horowitz for
leining.
The maseches hakallah chosen for next year is perek
Yom Hakippurim in maseches Yoma, and the venue and
dates will be announced at a later time.
