Mesivta Netzach HaTorah of Woodmere will be celebrating its third annual Scholarship Dinner. It is a privilege to have Dovid and Shoshana Kirschenbaum and Dovi and Chaya Weiser as Guests of Honor and to present Rabbi Yitzy Stern with the Harbatzas Torah Award at the dinner on March 16.
Guests of Honor: Dovid and Shoshana Kirschenbaum.
“Vayichan sham neged ha’har.” Rashi comments, “K’ish echad blev echad.” The entire Klal Yisrael acted in unison, in unity, with one mission and of one mind. The Kirschenbaums take the same approach in their support of Mesivta Netzach HaTorah. They are all in, unlimited in their assistance, with one mission and of one mind to help the mesivta continue to prosper and deliver to its students. It is a frequent occurrence to see Dovid in the mesivta — davening, speaking, joining. He is a regular attendee at programs and events. He and Shoshana open their house for parlor meetings. Dovid sits on the executive committee. They are both involved in the education of their son, Yehuda, at the mesivta and of all the talmidim. Dovid and Shoshana are resources that fuel the mesivta. The Kirschenbaums have been fixtures in the community for over 18 years. Together with their four children, Yehuda, Sari, Yermi, and Effy, they have built a home of chesed and Torah. From coordinating the routes for Tomchei Shabbos to using their professions as a mortgage broker, special education teacher, and designer, Dovid and Shoshana are always putting the needs of the tzibbur first. At the same time, every day begins with Dovid learning with his longtime chavrusa and brother-in-law, R’ Yanky Sax. Torah and chesed are the bedrock of the Kirschenbaum home.
Guests of Honor: Dovi and Chaya Weiser.
In tefillah we refer to the Beis HaMikdash as Dvir Beisecha. Meforshim explain that this is because the Beis HaMikdash was where the word of Hashem was heard. Being a person of words is like having a chelek in the dvar Hashem. Dovi and Chaya Weiser know what to say and how best to say it. They are parents with whom one can speak for advice and sensible direction. They are a sounding board for ideas and deliver thoughtful input. Dovi is a member of the executive committee and Chaya has been of essential help in guaranteeing the smooth running of the day-to-day activities in the mesivta. Their commitment to Yehuda’s growth ensures their constant involvement in the mesivta’s development. This approach is not limited to their support of the mesivta. Dovi and Chaya have taught their children Adina and Yitzy Elefant, Miriam, Yehuda, Ahuva, and Refael to take an active role in the community. As president of GFI Realty, Dovi is always coming up with creative ways to use his position to help the klal. They are also active members of the board of RCCS and Shalom Torah Academy and founders of their shul, Bais Medrash Ateres Shlomo.
Harbatzas Torah Award: Rabbi Yitzy Stern.
When we think of Rabbi Stern, we think of passion. He is constantly in motion during yeshiva: teaching, talking with talmidim, discussing ideas and options, and preparing. He spends much time ensuring that his shiur will reach each talmid. Rabbi Stern understands the great importance of connecting and completing the connection with his talmidim. He is a source of support and his time is his talmidim’s time. Above and beyond, Rabbi Stern is constantly giving to the mesivta; one never gets the sense that he has “fulfilled his obligation.” On the contrary, the words most commonly out of his mouth are, “What can I do to help the mesivta?”
Rabbi Stern’s involvement in chinuch doesn’t go on vacation in the summer as he continues to be marbitz Torah in Camp Agudah, where he has been a learning rebbe and division head for close to a decade. Together with his wife, Tova, and children Chaim, Avigail, and Shalom, the Stern home in Far Rockaway is always open to his talmidim, whether for a Shabbos seudah, Friday-night oneg or just to “shmooze.” Rabbi Stern has been with the mesivta since its inception and is an integral part of its growth and development.
Please join Netzach on March 16 to pay tribute to the honorees and help support the growing mesivta.
