B'YY YY CCCC AAAA B'Yachad YY YY CC AA AA Together YYYY AAAA CC HH HH AA AA DDDDD YY AA AA CC HH HH AAAAAAAA DD DD The Electronic YY AA AA CC HHHHHHH AA AA DD DD Alumni YY AAAAAAAA CCCC HHHHHHH AA AA DD DD Newsletter AA AA HH HH DD DD of AA AA HH HH DDDDD Ohr Somayach --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Hinei ma tov u'ma na'im sheves achim gam 'Yachad' How good and pleasant it is for brothers to be 'Together' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue #4 Purim 5755 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->SPOTLIGHT on an ALUMNUS From the wild, wild north of England not far from Leeds, a young Jewish student activist came to Israel to work for the World Zionist Organization. But he also came to find answers to questions raised by Orthodox Jews with whom he'd brushed shoulders back in England. In Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, Dovid Olesker found those answers. He began learning half-day. His first Gemara rebbe was Rabbi Moshe Newman. Half-day soon became full-time, and Dovid continued in Ohr Somayach for four years. In 1986 Dovid hooked up again with the WZO. But soon he went off on his own to create what is today the "Institute for Countering Anti-Israel Propaganda." Through widely appreciated lectures and seminars in Israel and the Diaspora, he teaches pro-Israel advocacy skills to Israeli officials, Jewish professionals, and student activists. His next stint in the U.S. is planned for April 26 - May 16, where he will tour and lecture. He is available for any organization who wishes to book him for a speaking engagement. Dovid lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children. His E-mail address is olesker@zeus.datasrv.co.il --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l The Yeshiva joined all Klal Yisrael in mourning the passing of the great posek of our generation, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l. The Yeshiva attended the levaya (funeral) and on the seventh day of the shiva, students and staff gathered in the Beis Medrash for hespedim (eulogies) delivered by HaRav Nachman Bulman, shlita, Menahel Ruchani and by HaRav Michoel Schoen, shlita, member of the Hanhala and talmid of HaRav Auerbach. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->Messages from Alumni Aharon Subar (`80 -- `81) I just received the latest edition of Yachad via e-mail and I think that it is the most fantastic way to keep in touch with Ohr Somayach Alumni. I think that if this service was available, say, 15 years ago, many of us would have remained more in touch with the Yeshiva rather than drifting off into our own little worlds. I highly recommend this as a way for the Yeshiva to remain in touch with current students who leave the Yeshiva as well as with alumni who have left years ago. Michoel Rovinsky (`80 - `82) After leaving Ohr Somayach, I continued learning by Rav Avraham Gershon Tress zt"l and Rav Leib Tropper. In 1984, I was married to Selina Epstein (Sharfman's) and joined the Ner Israel Kollel in Baltimore. While in kollel, I became a Rebbe at a day school in Baltimore, became a mohel and was involved in kiruv. In 1990, I returned to my home town of Dallas, Texas were I was Assistant Principal at the local Day School, set up a kiruv organization and became very involved in milah. In 1993, we moved to St. Louis where I am currently the Executive Director of the Epstein Hebrew Academy. In addition I travel throughout the country as a mohel. We have two children: Avraham Shalom 7.5 and Sara 9. Looking forward to hearing from the old chevrah! E-mail at Rebmohel@aol.com Mordechai Nissim (`86 - '90) I am at Leeds University at the moment. I am Chaplain for Yorkshire & Humberside , succeeding my predecessor Rabbeinu Yona (Dove). All is fine Baruch Hashem, but we would prefer to be Hossom [There]. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->Editor's Note It has been brought to our attention that "Yachad" is also the name of OU- NCSY's Disabled Youth Activities Section and the name of their magazine published bi-monthly for the past 5 years. To avoid confusion, we decided to change the name of our Ohr Somayach Alumni Newsletter to "B'YACHAD." We wish "Yachad" much hatzlacha in their important work of chizuk among families of disabled youth. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->News from Here & There Focus on Staff - Reuven: Dinners Unlimited When you ate your evening meal at Ohr Somayach, there was always one person you could count on for your nightly fare - our colorful, perennial dinner host, Reuven Gidanian. Remember him? Always cheerful, with his interesting blend of English, Hebrew and Simcha. Reuven has been around for practically the entire history of Ohr Somayach. Born in Iran 40 something years ago, he came with his family to Eretz Yisrael in 1950 where they settled first in Ofakim and then in Moshav Telmond, near Netanya. His family was not particularly religious, but when an uncle suggested that they move to the Bukharim section of Jerusalem in 1967, they soon found themselves attracted to their heritage and became chozrim b'tshuva. Reuven would learn in the Beis Medrash of Novardok, and when a new small group of American students started learning there (taught by Rav Weinbach, Rav Schiller & Rav Samet) he soon found himself teaching Hebrew to alumnus Dovid Barnett. This nucleus called itself "Shma Yisroel" and soon changed to "Ohr Somayach." When they moved to the Mili Building a couple years later, Reuven was hired by the then Manager of Food Services, Rabbi Weinberger, to help in the kitchen. It has been many years since then, and Reuven has been a faithful fixture in the Ohr Somayach Dining Room, staying late (sometimes past 11:00pm) to wait for JLE & Shoresh groups to return from their tours so that he can serve them a late dinner; working during holiday & vacation times; single-handedly serving large groups of hungry students; and providing a bit of Simcha to our dinners. Reuven considers Ohr Somayach his second home and feels proud and happy that he has been able to provide thousands of O.S. students through the years with their dinners. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->Rabbi Gedalia Zvi Orentlicher Z'l In response to inquiries after the tragic passing of one of our most outstanding alumni Reb Gedalia Zvi Orentlicher at the age of 40, we wish to inform all alumni that a trust fund to assist the Orentlicher family has been established under the supervision of Rabbi Aharon Feldman and Rabbi Yehoshua Zaks. Those wishing to make a tax deductible contribution may send their donations to the Congregation Beth Jacob Charity Fund, 1855 La Vista Road, N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30329. In Israel contributions can be sent to Keren Ner Ne'eman c/o American Israel Bank, 25 Ramban St., Jerusalem, Account number 101250. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->Simchas & Announcements Joseph Zahavi (JLE summer `94) married Mari Catagenova of Worcester, Mass. on November 27th. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and is living in Los Angeles. Joel Lome is the proud father of a new baby boy! We don't have official records, but it seems like there have been a record number of marriages at Ohr Somayach this past zman. The following is a list of many of the students that either were or will be (IY''H) married during this time: Name Date Location Moshe Yaakov Schwartz Feb 19 Ramat Tamir Jonathan Mintz Feb 21 Apirion Chai Gershom Tave Feb 26 Wagshol Hall, Bnei Brak Ze'ev Kahn Mar 6 Nof Yerushalayim Heshy Steinacher Mar 7 Gates of Jerusalem Lev Seltzer Mar 19 Sheraton Plaza Bryan Brodsky Mar 19 Gates of Jerusalem Lee Viner Mar 20 Sheraton Plaza Dani Rudich Mar 22 Gibraltar Moshe Lifschitz Mar 23 Malon HaMerkaz Jonathon Altman Apr 9 Naharia Mazel Tov to all! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ->Topic of the Month `SIMCHA' With the arrival of Adar we should increase joyous activities. (Ta'anit 29a) o Where does the Torah command us to be happy? o Is there a connection between happiness and performing Mitzvot? o What basic elements are conducive to happiness and how can we distinguish between true happiness and mere fun? Select quotations on this topic: o The Torah does not approve of a person who is constantly worried and troubled since he thereby transgresses the commandment of the Creator to be happy with the benefits He has bestowed upon him as stated in the Torah -- "And you should rejoice in all the good that Hashem gave you..." Dev. 26:11. (R. Yehudah Ha'levy -- Kuzari) o The Shechina rests [on a person] only through the happiness of performing a mitzva. (Berachot 30a) o Any happiness in Israel without the participation of Hashem is not a genuine happiness. (Zohar, Bam. 219) o "A happy heart will brighten a face...". -- A shining, happy face is a sure sign that a person is full of will and ambition. (Vilna Gaon, Mishlei 15:13) o Ambition and vigor is the basis for happiness -- they are life. But When? Only when the fulfillment of these ambitions are not a result of envy or of honor seeking, but are motivated by the love of Torah, wisdom and ethical living. (Michtav MeEliyahu vol. 1, p. 3). We'd appreciate your sharing with us other sources or your own thoughts on this topic. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ohr Somayach is in the process of making an Electronic Alumni Directory. To be a part of it, send us your name, year(s) of study, and E-Mail address. Results will eventually be placed on the Jerusalem1 gopher. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Contribute to B'YACHAD The only way we can have up-to-date information is if you provide it. Please send us your comments, suggestions, announcements, and ideas via one of the following methods: E-Mail: address your message to: ohr@jer1.co.il set the subject to "B'YACHAD" Fax: 972-2-812-890, Attn.: B'YACHAD Post: Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, ATTN.: B'YACHAD 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street,POB 18103, Jerusalem 91180 ISRAEL -------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Subscribe: To receive "B'Yachad" via E-Mail, send the message: sub os-alum {your full name} to: listproc@jer1.co.il Issues are also posted on Compuserve's Religion Forum Judaism Library and the Jerusalem1 Gopher -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ohr Somayach Representatives Worldwide: Jerusalem, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Monsey, London, Toronto, Montreal, Johannesburg. For information about contacting your regional representative see the Jerusalem1 Gopher or E-Mail us your request. =========================================================================== ** Spend This Coming Summer Break In Israel For As Little As $599 ** ** (including airfare from New York) ** =========================================================================== JLE Israel Summer Seminar '95 7 weeks of study and touring, optional Ulpan, and structured encounters with Israeli Dignitaries Departure June 14th Optional free week August 8th through August 14th For Jewish men between the ages of 19 & 30 with demonstrated academic achievement and a sincere motivation to explore their roots Minimum scholarship price: $599 Covers round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours Undergraduates attending college anywhere in North America who PERMANENTLY reside in New York City (the 5 boroughs), Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk counties) or Westchester County -- as well as undergraduates attending college in any of these areas although permanently residing elsewhere -- may qualify for additional scholarship monies. For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin: RZCorlin@aol.com o In the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 / 212-213-3100 o Outside of N. America, send E-Mail to: ohr@jer1.co.il =========================================================================== SUBSCRIBE! to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions: weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach os-alum - "B'Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter There is NEVER a charge for any of the above lists (though your local information provider, such as AOL, Prodigy or CompuServe, might charge a nominal fee). To subscribe to any of these lists, send the message: subscribe {listname} {your full name} to: listproc@jer1.co.il =========================================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 972-2-810315 Fax: 972-2-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet:ohr@jer1.co.il =========================================================================== General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Contributing Editor: Chaim Salenger Production Design: Lev Seltzer =========================================================================== (C) 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.