Torah Youth Update Dec 31, 2007

Mazel Tov to Gobbie & Shayna Cohn on the birth and bris of their son Uriel Binyamin Cohn.

This muddy weekend in TYFFL was one of the more exciting weeks of the season:

National Photo defeated a Finkelsteinless Tov Pizza Team
Parisers snuck out a tough win against Allied Funding
In an overtime thriller Knish Shop defeated Sunpride

The topic in this week's OTD shiur was about SHOVIVIM. The shiurim have been recorded and we hope to soon have them available on the TYA website.

Next Motzai Shabbos Tennis is Jan 12, 2008.

Stay Tuned for Super Bowl Party and Shabbaton information...

Weekend Recap December 14 - Dec 16 2007

Friday Dec 14

This jam packed weekend began with some very well played football games.

Tov Pizza continued to role versus Knish Shop.
In a defensive battle, National Photo defeated Allied Funding
In one of the best games of the season, Pariser grabbed an impressive victory in OT against Sunpride.

Standings can be obtained by visiting www.torahyouth.org/baltimore/football.aspx

Motzai Shabbos Dec 15

Torah Youth went global. Joined by an Australian camp, there was a lot of action and excitement at Tennis night. Not only did some guys play tennis, but the Australians (and one Mexican) played soccer (football to them), while others played football (American version).



It was a very exciting night, and we look forward to possibly doing it again!

Sunday Evening Dec 16

With R' Teichman away, R' Ari Storch filled in and gave shiur to the boys. He spoke about why we believe a "Bas Kol". Twenty two guys showed up and ate some delicious fried chicken from MKS (Mosi's Knish Shop!)

Off The Derech Dec 2, 2007 Chanukah Edition

Although it is not yet Chanukah, this week's shiur featured the dreidel. There will be no shiur next week, so in addition to some very tasty Chinese food, partially sponsored in part by the Caplan family, this week also featured sufganiyot from Parisers!


27 boys attended to hear an exciting shiur about how the letters on the dreidel represent the four galiyos that B'nei Yisroel have endured. A dreidel has four side, yet when spun, looks like it is round. So too, we, the Jewish people have defied logic. A few guerrilla warriors should not have been able to take down the yevanim!

Oh - Rabbi Teichman spins a mean dreidel too...

Wishing everyone a lichtiga Chanukah,
Gobbie

Off The Derech Shiur Nov 18, 2007

I would like to thank R' Yaakov Berkowitz for attending and writing the summary.

**

The miracle that we celebrate on Chanukah was the finding of the one pure jug of oil while all the others were contaminated by the Greeks. The Greeks wanted to prove that nothing exists beyond our sensory perception of the world. They wanted to show us that there is no difference between a sealed jug of oil and a jug that has been opened; there is no such thing as impurity; if you can’t see it, it’s not there. However, as Torah observant Jews we believe just the opposite. We believe that G-d and thereby Halacha determines reality. We discussed many different examples of this including an ox becoming a Muad on the same day of the month even though some months are Malei (full - 30 days) and others are Chaser (29 days) as well as a case where R’ Akiva was feared to have drowned but showed up on the shore alive because of how a certain Halacha in regards to Agunas is learnt and a few different cases in Chazal where the Halacha is what determined the reality not what would have been considered common sense.

We were also told a story with the Klausenberger Rebbe where a boy was feared to be deathly ill and his parents came to the Rebbe and instead of the Rebbe davening and saying Tehillim for the boy he sat and learnt for 2 hours and because of how he learnt the Halacha of a Treifa, determined that the injury to the boy’s vertebrae would heal contrary to the opinion of all of the doctors. Obviously, the Rebbe’s diagnoses was correct!! The shiur closed with a fascinating presentation of how the audible letters of the Aleph Beis, using Electrograhic equipment, produced visible representations of the letters that we know. This gave us a fantastic understanding of “הקולות את‫ רואים‫”.

TYA Article in the Where What When

In tomorrow's (Nov 21) issue of the Where What When their will be an article about Torah Youth. However, it had to be cut down to size. I am pasting the full version of the article below.

Please feel free to pass around!

GC

***

Learning Life, Living Torah and Loving It: Torah Youth Association

by Margie Pensak

Raising even a good, frum teenage boy can be challenging today. Let’s face it. Our sons sit in yeshiva an entire day, for more hours than many adults would find bearable. Their daily schedules are jam packed with learning, chazara, b’chinos, homework, and night seder. Providing them with healthy, wholesome outlets, so they can blow off steam after such a day, is no easy task. Especially in a world where wholesomeness is passé and all sorts of “entertainment” are competing for their attention.

As a nice, frum teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 90’s, Gobbie Cohn, the son of Jeff and Karen Cohn, often found himself without anything to do. The co-ed scene was out of the question for Gobbie, and he was not the type to look for trouble.

Gobbie’s adolescent experience is what inspired him to create Torah Youth Association (TYA), together with Moshe Starkman. Standing in support of the Orthodox day school system, and not conflicting with its academic or extracurricular schedules, its year-round supervised activities include: volunteering for local chesed organizations, motzei Shabbos activities such as tennis, weekend flag football, barbeques, paintball, a Super Bowl party, and the TYA Shabbaton at Pearlstone.

With a focus on derech eretz kadma laTorah, TYA has grown into a national gender specific program currently operating in Baltimore, Silver Spring, and Philadelphia. Baltimore’s high school boys division is the largest program, and most recently, the AISH Teens program for high school girls entered under the TYA umbrella. Separate middle school boys and girls programs are being planned for the future, as well.

“Torah Youth fills a very large void and applies to students from all of our schools,” says Gobbie.

One Friday afternoon I saw, myself, that this was true, when I watched close to 70 Baltimore high schoolers play flag football at Gwynvale Park. Members of the six teams were as excited to be playing as they were to tell me about their experiences with TYA.

T.A. 10^th grader, Binyomin Meyer, came here from Ramat Beit Shemesh, and lives in the dorm. “I like Torah Youth because it is very organized, and they know how to do what they’re doing,” said Binyomin. Fellow dormer, Yonaton Hendry, says, “I much prefer playing flag football after school on Fridays, instead of sleeping, which is what I would probably end up doing before getting ready for Shabbos.”

Binyomin Barer and Ariel Kramer, both seniors, are equally impressed with how well it is run, and are grateful that it keeps them occupied on Friday afternoons. Avi Yudkowsky and Itiel Latova said they would be at home watching TV if not for flag football. And, a brutally honest sophomore, Raphael Nakhon, admitted, “I’d rather be doing this than be home helping my mom erev Shabbos.”

Rabbi and Mrs. David Finkelstein, whose son Chaim, participates in the program, find it to be a wonderful positive environment for the boys in the community. “We are appreciative to Gobbie for all his efforts in starting this program,” says Rabbi Finkelstein, director of Camp Shoresh. Chaim is in his senior year, and has been the captain and quarterback of his football team for three years. He is as enthusiastic about TYA as his cousin, Yossi Kohen. “It’s awesome, it’s great,” says Yossi, “it’s the best program out there.”

Tali and Michelle Strum’s son, Rafi, is a senior at T.A, and has attended the football and tennis programs for years. The Strums have encouraged Gobbie to expand the organization. “The boys work hard in school, they are growing kids, and they deserve a healthy outlet for their energies,” says Mr. Strum. “TYA provides this, and there is no better person than Gobbie to relate to the kids in this fun, no pressure, kosher environment.”

Alex Porcelain, a senior at Rambam, is enjoying his fourth year with TYA. Although he likes to drop in at its barbeques and kumsitzes, his favorite activity is attending Rabbi Teichman’s Sunday evening dinner shiur which is open to all program participants who do not have night seder at that time.

“I look forward to the shiur,” says Alex. “About 20 guys attend. It is always on an interesting topic, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s food! We learn about all sorts of things that most rebbeim don’t deal with. TYA is a great additional support to do fun and interesting things outside of school, where it is more relaxed and we can still grow and learn and hang out with friends from a different school.”

Yaakov Berkowitz, a TYA volunteer, was drafted by Gobbie to be a flag football referee three years ago when he was a single bochur at Ner Israel. He feels the highlight of TYA is the Shabbaton at Pearlstone. “I was very impressed with the Shabbaton. Everyone came together with a lot of singing and ruach. It allowed the adult role models and kids, alike, to really come together and bond.”

TYA has received haskamos from notable gedolim in and outside our community, as well as local rabbanim. Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Rav of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, is among TYA’s supportive rabbanim. “I think it is a wonderful organization that fulfills a serious recreational need.”

“Torah Youth is gevaldik!” believes Rabbi Zvi Teichman, who has been an enthusiastic supporter of TYA since its inception. As the Rav of Congregation Ohel Moshe, the former T.A. high school menahel, and parent of sophomore Zecharya Teichman, sees its value from several vantage points.

“In this generation, kids need to have healthy fun,” feels Rabbi Teichman. “It is impossible, at their age, to expect them to learn 24/7. You can’t say things are asur (forbidden) and not offer a healthy alternative. I always felt the best thing you can do for kids, is to fill in their time with clean, healthy fun.”

As both a parent and educator, Mrs. Sherri Zaslow, T.A. Middle School coordinator, and parent of TYA graduate, Josh, couldn’t agree more. “People look to the schools to do everything for these kids. We can’t, and Gobbie Cohn stepped up to the plate…I think the concept of Torah Youth is just brilliant! It is definitely a selling point for keeping our boys in town, and not sending them away to yeshiva.”

To learn more about TYA, to volunteer, or to become a sponsor, please contact Gobbie Cohn at 443-857-4304 or gcohn@torahyouth.org.

©Margie Pensak-2007

TYFFL Week 4 Results

Friday November 16, 2007
TYFFL WK4

It was the first truly cold day.

In a game that was close through the first half, Tov Pizza found a way to decisively defeat Allied Funding.

In a high scoring game, Knish Shop edged Parisers getting their first win and giving Pariser's its first loss of the season.

In another exciting game, National Photo continued with momentum and defeated Sunpride.

Off The Derech Shiur November 11, 2007

Tonight R' Teichman talked about the "ohr haganuz" and illustrated how certain people have the ability to tap into this special "light". As an example, R' Teichman read a story from R' Aryeh Levine "A Tzaddik In Our Time" in which R' Aryeh Levine used a goral haGra to identify 12 victims of a Gush Katif ambush.

There were seventeen boys in attendance this week.

We would like to thank Sholom Michael and Chaim Abraham on sponsoring this week's dinner!

TYA Tennis - November 10, 2007

This was truly a unique evening. Around 18 guys showed up, some came to play while others came to hang out.
However, those who came to play did not realize what they were in for. We did not play tennis! We played football!
This was truly one of the more creative ideas in Torah Youth history. I would like to thank Scott Leder for this idea and helping out as well as David Vegh for dropping by!

Better Late then Never!

As we head into another Sunday evening Shiur with Rabbi Teichman, I would like to show you a picture from last week's shiur. I am proud to say that each week the shiur is a bit larger in size.

This past week, 19 guys attended. Rabbi Teichman spoke about "tiredness". Did you know the first person recorded as tired in the Torah was Eisav ("...min hasadeh v'hu ayeif")? Additionally, he spoke about the power of dreams...

I do not know what this week will bring, but I am sure it will be interesting!

The Latest and Greatest From Torah Youth!

High School Boys

This Motzai Shabbos (Nov 10, 2007) there is a tennis event at BFT from 9pm-12am.

High School Girls Go-Karting!!! Sunday Nov 11, 2007. CALL TEMI!

R' Teichman Shiur
10-28-07

I would like to thank Azi Rosenblum for being on call this week!

Laughter, good thing or bad thing?

Many references to laughter in the Parsha, some turn out good results others bad, even g-d laughs (tehilim), whats the deal?

Answer: Laughter is mans response to something absurd, unexpected and unusual. It’s mans natural reaction, as an intelligent being, to something that is the opposite of normal. That said, when one laughs, there could be many different sources. You can laugh out of arrogance, feeling of supremacy, haughtiness, or other types of putting people down in order to elevate yourself, or, in a more pure form you can laugh in astonishment at having realizing how great hashem is and how powerless you are. Avraham laughed at the news of a son to be born not because he thought is was impossible, but because he realized in a moment that it was foolish of him to think that hashem’s reach would be limited by age, time, or other physical limitations. He laughed in amazement of how absurd the laws of nature are in comparison to hashem’s power. Lots son-in-laws on the other hand, laughed at his warnings out of mockery, that laughter, is no good and rooted in the bad in people.

2ND "OFF THE DERECH" SHIUR A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS

This week, Rabbi Teichman discussed gilgulim and why Jews have large noses!


This event was well attended! I would like to thank the Knish Shop for providing the sandwiches.

TYFFL WK2 Results:

The forecast for Friday October 19, 2007 was grim. With thunderstorms supposed to run through the afternoon, we were not sure whether there would be a game or not. B"H at game time, the sun came out from among the clouds and the games were able to begin.

Tov Pizza defeated Sunpride 2-1 in a very tough defensive battle.
Allied defeated National Photo 5-3 in an exciting matchup that even brought R' Melman to watch!
Parisers defeated Knish Shop 3-2. The much anticipated return of Knish Shop's QB was cut short due to an injury. Their top receiver comes off the DL next week.

Current Standings

Parisers 2-0
Tov Pizza 2-0
Sunpride 1-1
Allied Funding 1-1
Knish Shop 0-2
National Photo 0-2

Stay Tuned for next weeks results!

The much anticipated shiur series "OFF THE DERECH" - Unusually Interesting Torah Topics for High School boys, began Sunday evening at Congregation Ohel Moshe. I would like to thank Cong. Ohel Moshe for the use of their location and Rabbi Zvi Teichman, for offering his time to give such an interesting shiur.

Boys from T. A., Rambam and Beth T'filoh participated in this shiur.



R' Teichman touched upon the concept of Pi and discussed the mystical nature of the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, using a reference from Parshas Noach regarding why the earth itself was corrupt, he showed the boys pictures of results from a Japanese scientist who tested the impact of words on water.



Next week, same time same place 7:30pm @ Cong. Ohel Moshe followed by 8om maariv.

Motzai Shabbos October 13, 2007





This was the first Motzai Shabbos tennis event of the year! About 30 kids participated.

I would like to thank Scott Leder and Dovi Turner for volunteering their time and I would like to thank the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox for keeping things interesting while everyone was eating their pizza. That being said, I would like to thank Tov Pizza for not just delivering once but twice!

Enjoy the pictures!

Torah Youth Flag Football (TYFFL) WK1 Results:





To quote a parent who stopped by for a few minutes to watch the games, "WOW, I am impressed!".

On Friday October 12, 2007 68 boys came out to play flag football. This season, there are six teams, three of which have returning sponsors. Returning to support the league are Allied, Sunpride and Tov Pizza. We happily welcome our new sponsors for this season, National Photo, Parisers Bakery and the Knish Shop.

As usual, I would like to thank Yaakov Berkowitz and Yussi Openden for refereeing, and a special thank you to Donny Poliakoff who was not going to ref, but decided to stay because he was having sooo much fun!

WK1 Results are as follows:

Tov Pizza defeated National Photo
Sunpride defeated the Knish Shop and in a defensive battle,
Parisers defeated Allied Funding.

We look forward to keep you updated each week.

As usual, if you know anyone who may be available to volunteer some time, please contact me at gcohn@torahyouth.org OR 443-857-4304

I am pleased to inform you that there will be 6 teams taking part in this year's Flag Football Tournament. 56 boys have signed up to play.

This year's lineup:

Allied Funding
Sunpride Nutrition
Tov Pizza
Knish Shop
Pariser's Bakery
National Photo

If you know anyone who will be able to help referee and volunteer on Friday afternoons from approximately 12:15pm - 1:30pm, please have them contact me gcohn@torahyouth.org or 443-857-4304.

Let the games begin!

TORAH YOUTH IS PROUD TO ONCE AGAIN PRESENT MOTZAI SHABBOS TENNIS!!
SEE FLYER BELOW:

The following is a letter I wrote and submitted to the Yated as a reaction to R' Teitelbaum's article. I do not know if the Yated will publish this, but I felt that it was a good read for all:

GC

**

I was very pleased to read R’ Eli Teitelbaum’s article regarding the need to provide kids with constructive extracurricular activities. As a former camper (3 years) of S’dei Chemed under R’ Teitelbaum’s leadership, I have a great respect for R’ Teitelbaum and the passion with which he was able to run this outstanding summer success; I have Hakaras Hatov for all he did for my fellow campers and me.

Over the past few years, my experience with teen-centered extracurricular programs has expanded and deepened from my own S’dei Chemed years. It is clear that we are in an era with more distractions and with what seems to be more neglect for “regular” frum kids. In his article, R’ Teitelbaum mentions that these kids are “at-risk.” That is true to some extent, but I believe that the bulk of the kids to whom he refers are “potentially” at-risk.

The frum community at large has been asleep at the wheel ignoring the needs of these kids under the premise that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It has incorrectly presumed that these good, “trouble-free” kids are always occupied with only wholesome and enriching activities; this is NOT SO!

While meaning well, the frum community has not provided healthy outlets where our children can “blow off steam” after a jam packed schedule filled with learning, chazara, b’chinos, and, oh yes, a few hours of homework and night Seder.

That is why, four years ago, my good friend & chavrusa, Moshe Starkman, and I, created an organization for “frum” kids called Torah Youth Association (TYA). Torah Youth was created with the purpose of creating positive environments for Middle & High School students. The opportunities we create allow these teens to experience Torah, play sports, do chesed, perform community service activities, and build lasting friendships within a positive, growth oriented culture.

We provide our students with an environment that promotes religious exploration, responsible social interaction, and leadership development within the framework of Halacha. The values of our schools are not being reinforced within the confines of society and, therefore, can not be sustained in a real-world environment that bombards our students with numerous challenges.

We stand, in support of the Orthodox Jewish day school system, as an organization dedicated to bringing "real life" Judaism to our students in a way that is engaging and meaningful. If even one Jewish student feels Torah is oppressive and inhibits self-growth, that is one student too many! Unfortunately, in today’s society and “free” culture, too many of our children have become disenchanted with the Torah lifestyle resulting in devastating consequences.

Torah Youth Association consists of parents, teachers, students, and supporters working together to empower our children and students. Through developing stronger decision makers grounded in a Torah education fortified through real-world experiences, our children are better prepared to succeed both personally and morally. Some of our “kosher” supervised outlets include working with local chesed organizations, Motzai Shabbos activities, weekend Flag Football, BBQ’s, and many other exciting events and programs.

Notable gedolim are in support of this program, and are very excited that action is being taken to provide activities and a support system for these kids. As one Rosh HaYeshiva noted, “Kids have to have fun.”

TYA is a national program which currently operates in Baltimore and Silver Spring, MD as well as Philadelphia, PA. All programs are gender specific and each city has a different strength. For example, Baltimore has a tremendous program for High School boys and a more recent program for High School girls. The Torah Youth program in Philadelphia for middle school boys has replaced the local Pirchei.

Our motto is “Learning Life, Living Torah and Loving It.” Our goal is to develop kids who live Torah while engaging in other activities outside of seder or the classroom. We provide a focus on “Derech Eretz Kadma LaTorah.”

It is important to express the concern as R’ Teitelbaum has done and even more important to take action. If you would like to be involved in fighting the tide of losing our children to drugs, violence and other inappropriate behavior chas v’shalom, step up today. Become an active member of the Torah Youth Association and help us protect the Jewish tomorrow. Please contact me at 443-857-4304 or gcohn@torahyouth.org. Be a part of this great mitzvah. Save a Life – Save a world!

Rabbi Teitelbaum, thank you for doing your part in providing a unique outlet for thousands of youth. I am just one of many, but feel I speak for all. Our Torah Youth thank you as well!

The following article was posted on theyeshivaworld.com and was previously published in the Yated. I would like to thank my father for bringing it to my attention. I went to Camp S'dei Chemed for three years and R' Teitelbaum's inspiration has helped me create the Torah Youth program.
**

I give great credit to the Mirer Yeshivah in Yerushalayim that has realized the great problem of what happens when their bochurim have nothing to do during bein hazmanim. The yeshiva organizes trips at subsidized prices which take their talmidim around Eretz Yisroel. If only other yeshivas would follow their example, many tragedies would be avoided.

When sports and concerts are forbidden, and all forms of kosher entertainment are off limits, we are asking for trouble. If our kids cant find a place to vent their energy within a kosher environment, then they will find it elsewhere. In a time of war even the Torah itself permitted one to marry a captive non-Jewish girl under certain conditions. Chazal explain the logic behind this law. The Torah understood that a person is only human and therefore in this instance, while fighting a war, it gave him some leeway. The Gemora tells us that for everything the Torah forbade it gave us something similar that was permitted. Today’s war with the Yetzer Horah is far greater than ever before.

But in every generation we have the likes of Doeg and Achitofel who misled great people such as Shaul and Avshalom with falsehoods and lies that caused them to try to kill Dovid. Doeg even succeeded in getting Shaul to kill all the Kohanim in the city of Nov. This shows how falsehoods can be spread, how easily they are believed, and the terrible damage that can result. Even the greatest of the great are vulnerable to such camouflaged slander and can be misled by advisors they trust. Just turn to Shmuel II chapter 16 and read the story of how Dovid who knew better than anyone else of the great dangers of an evil tongue was himself taken in by Tziva who fabricated a false story about Mefiboshes. If even the greatest of the great can be misled, then wed all better be very careful and constantly on our guard least we too fall into the same trap.

Things haven’t changed much since ancient times. Today, too, we have self proclaimed agitators and charlatans who have nothing to do with their time but to go around to our leading Torah sages and try to convince them that separate-seating concerts are a threat to our Yiddishkeit and to ban them. They falsely claim that there is pritzus in the hallways plus other fabrications. Exaggeration is a blood relative to falsehood, and almost as bad. A gossip is one who can give you all the details without knowing all the facts. Unfortunately, they often succeed in their mission. All it took was one Korach to convince the 250 heads of Sanhedrin of the holiness and purity of his mission.

Some have organized special activities and places for these "at risk kids? to get together under proper supervision, but this is not the real solution. The problem must be addressed long before young people reach the "at risk? stage. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If the money we spent on rehabilitation where to be spent on prevention, wed get far more for our money, and fewer people who need intensive intervention

It must be clearly noted that despite all that was said, one is required to follow the ruling of our sages even when they say "Right is left and left is right”. Nowadays when there is no Sanhedrin, one must seek a leading posek and follow his ruling on all matters and not go "posek hopping”. This applies not only in the above case but in all other areas as well. There are some disagreements among our leading poskim in Hilchos Shabbos which can be an isur sekilah. One can’t pick and choose stringencies from one or leniencies from another. (Gemora ) The Agudas Yisroel follows the ruling of the Moetzes Gedolai HaTorah. Others can decide on their posek whom they wish to follow. But whoever it is, the psak must be followed even if it hurts.

Yes, there are legitimate concerns that must be addressed in order to make sure that concerts are conducted in a true Yiddish atmosphere and flavor. Performers should not be Jewish rock or rap singers and the music should not imitate todays street hip-hop culture as some performers unfortunately do. Sadly, I’ve gone to frum weddings where the music and dancing felt like one was in a disco with only the flashing lights missing. Roshei yeshivas and rabbonim danced in the middle of the circle having no idea as what type of music they were dancing to. I hope no one is going to ban music at weddings because of this, but rather the msader kidushin or rabbonim should meet with the band leaders as well as the mechutonim to rectify this outrage. Serious concerns must be discussed between the concert organizers and rabbonim beforehand. Instead of seeking to ban these concerts, we must make sure that they are a kiddush Shem Shomayim. Music has a powerful effect upon the listener and we must ensure that it follows in the footsteps and style of Dovid Hamelech the "nim zemiros Yisroel”, to whose words our music is often put.

We definitely need our gedolim to guide us, and if we come to them with sincere requests to teach us to run activities al pi Torah, they would respond wisely and constructively. We should no longer leave the field open to those few agitators and connivers who choose to deprive our young people of positive outlets. For if we close the doors to that which is permitted they’ll unfortunately, soon find other places to fill the void!

2007 Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum.

The 2007-2008 Season is HERE!!!!

The Tentative Motzai Shabbos Tennis Schedule is below.

Oct 13

Nov 10

Dec 15

Jan 12

Feb 23

March 22

IMPORTANT: PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: MAY 30, 2008 - June 2, 2008 SHABBATON

SUMMARY OF END OF YEAR BASKETBALL/BBQ EVENT

The 2nd Annual Basketball Tournament and BBQ was a tremendous success! Boys from Yeshivat Rambam, TA, and Ner Yisroel gathered together to play basketball and eat delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.

TYA would like to thank the following individuals for their help with this event:

Yaakov Berkowitz (lead supervisor)
Elgy (truck)
R' Teichman (support)
Joe Loeb (with Gym)
Ashi Wildman (on grill)

We hope that everyone has a GREAT Summer!!!!

AISH END OF YEAR LASER TAG A SUCCESS!!!

Girls from Bais Yaakov, Rambam and Beth Tfiloh joined together for Aish Teens' last day of school celebration. We started off eating pizza and fries from Tov Pizza while we we went around with brief introductions because we had so many new particpants. Then, we headed off to laser tag where we played two fun-filled games. Whether you were on the red, yellow or green team and however many points you did (or didn't get), everyone had a great time!

Have a great summer and we'll see you all in August!!

Mazel Tov to all of the 2007 Graduates!!

Mazel Tov to long time volunteer Scott and Beth Leder on the birth of a girl!

END OF YEAR EVENT!!!!

TORAH YOUTH HS BOYS
2nd Annual Basketball Tournament with BBQ!

June 24, 2007

SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
PLEASE CONTACT GOBBIE @ 443-857-4304

END OF YEAR EVENT!!!!!!

AISH TEENS - HS GIRLS LASER TAG

June 20, 2007

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR OF THIS EVENT PLEASE CONTACT GOBBIE COHN @ 443-857-4304 OR gcohn@torahyouth.org

Torah Youth Shabbaton Review

I am pleased to inform you that the first ever TYA Shabbaton that took place this past weekend, May 11 –May 13, 2007 exceeded all expectations. Despite several external challenges that prevented a larger number of students to attend, the 24 boys who participated had an incredibly meaningful and exciting experience.

The weekend began as the boys arrived at 3pm on Friday afternoon. After putting their stuff in the teen center, all the boys went down to play sports. Some guys played basketball while others played football until it was time to get ready for Shabbos. Each boy received a new TYA Learning Life t-shirt for attending the Shabbaton.

Shabbos began with a bang! Kabbolas Shabbos, led by advisor Yaakov Ehrman was inspiring. There was beautiful singing and lively dancing! At the meal Friday night the beautiful singing and continued and divrei Torah were given by Ari Raskas and Moshe Starkman. The meal was followed by an Oneg Shabbos which included cholent from O’FIshel and a dvar Torah from R’ Ari Storch. Once again the boys sang with heart capping off the incredible evening.

Shabbos morning began with Shacharis at 9am. Ariel Kramer and Ari Raskas split the laining as they celebrated the anniversary of their Bar Mitzvahs. Prior to mussaf, Dov Ocken gave an insightful d’var torah to the boys. Davening was followed by a Kiddush (it was good cake). After Kiddush Moshe Starkman gave a very interesting discussion to the boys entitled What’s in it for me? I’d rather be sky diving! The discussion focused on the structure and the meaning behind the Sh’mona Esrai. At lunch Josh Zaslow and Donny Poliakoff gave divrei Torah. Lunch was followed by mincha which was followed by menucha. Many of the boys chose to sleep (they did not get much the night before), play Shabbos friendly games or learn.

An hour before Shalosh Seudos R’ Ari Storch led a shiur on Pirkei Avos. This turned out to be a highlight of the afternoon with some very deep discussions. At Shalosh Seudos the heartfelt singing continued. Toward the end of the meal, everyone pulled their chairs into a circle and continued to sing and hear divrei torah and stories from R’ Yaakov Berkowitz. Then, of course, maariv and havdalah.

At this point of the Shabbaton all the boys had experienced the first ever Shabbos Torah Youth style. What was next on the agenda? Madden and Ping Pong Tournaments.

In truth, the ping pong did not end up being a tournament, but the boys (me included) played many games through the night into morning (no exaggeration).

For those who do not know what Madden is, let me explain. The game Madden, named for NFL broadcaster John Madden, is the most popular sports video game in the market today. It is a football video game. Madden is available on several different game stations including Xbox (made by Microsoft), Playstation (made by Sony), the WII (made by Nintendo) and even available on a regular PC. We set up four different Xbox gaming stations allowing 8 people to play at one time. At 2:30AM Shuli Hochman was crowned the winner of the Madden tournament.
The next morning we had davening, breakfast (yes, with a dvar halacha) and an exciting flag football game. Every student had a great time and wants to do it again.

Students participated from TA, Rambam, and Ner Yisroel.

Torah Youth Association would like to thank the following people (not in any specific order) for making the Shabbaton a success:

Azi & Rikki Rosenblum

Dov & Shira Ocken

Moshe & Rachael Starkman

Yaakov & Essie Berkowitz

Rabbi Moshe Hauer

Rabbi Shmuel Silber

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb

ALL THE SPONSORS OF THE EVENT

I would also like thank those families who participated in the event:

Yussi & Yona Openden

Israel & Chava Elgamil

R’ Ari & Tiffy Storch

Elie & Libby Goldstein

I would also like to thank the advisors:

Yaakov Ehrman

Sammy Schnitzer

Donny Poliakoff

Yaakov Khaver

I would especially like to thank my wife Shayna for putting up with me during this process!

Keep your eyes open for our next Event:

2-on-2 Basketball Tournament & BBQ – June 24, 2007

LASER TAG WITH AISH!

PLEASE PASS ALONG AND INFORM HS GIRLS!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Pesach!

The HS Boys Torah Youth Shabbaton is just 3 weeks away!

If you have a son that is HS age and he has not yet signed up please have him do so immediately. The deadline is April 26th, 2007.

For further information or any questions please contact Gobbie at 443-857-4304 OR gcohn@torahyouth.org

We are pleased to announce the first ever TYA HS Boys Shabbaton!

Below you will find two different posters. One geared for fundraising while the other highlighting the event.

We need to raise $10k to subsizide the event. $2k of which I have received. If you know anyone who would be able to help, the kids would appreciate it!

THANKS!

TYFFL's Runner Up Tov Pizza is treated to a pizza party!!!

Tov Pizza owner Ronnie Rosenbluth told the boys that they have to win it all next year, but since they played well, they earned some pizza!



Stay tuned for the Goldberg's Championship reward...

TYFFL BOWL - February 9th 2007

WOW! On a very cold and windy day, Goldberg's Bagels battled Tov Pizza in the 3rd TYFFL BOWL. Tov Pizza QB Chaim Finkelstein led his team to a 3-0 start. However, Goldberg's QB Naftali Gardyn ran for touchdown after touchdown and threw for a couple to make the game close.

With 30 seconds let, and the score tied at 5, a pass intercepted by Goldberg's gave them the ball with 16 seconds left. The next play Naftali Gardyn ran in for another touchdown, taking a one touchdown lead.

With only 7 seconds to play, Tov Pizza was unable to tie the game, and the upset win went to Goldberg's Bagels!!!

It was an exciting game and everyone had a great time as they had the entire season.

We look forward to next year's season and we are considering the possibility of expanding as well.

Special Thanks to: Yaakov Berkowitz, Yussi Openden, Tali Strum, Dave Finkelstein, Yanky Lefkowitz, Shuie Hochman, Aharon Leib Wealcatch, Ronnie Rosenbluth, Yaakov Drebin

RECAP FROM AISH EVENT (Motzai Shabbos Feb 3rd, 2007)

We had a great time Moztei Shabbos, eating, decorating, and hot-chocolating in front on the fireplace. The picture frames came out spectacular and now we're total modge podge experts! The hot cocoa and marshmallows were delish, but the covers made it all worthwhile. It was great seeing you!!

TYA HS BOYS SUPER BOWL EVENT

This year's Super Bowl party was relocated to 7508 Lisburne, across from Wellwood. A record crowd of over 50 boys attended this event! The boys that were in attendance came from four different schools within the community. We cannot wait to next year's event!

Special Thanks to Ethan Berner, the Knish Shop, Eli Goldstein for donating jerseys as prizes, Scott Leder, and all the Sponsors of this event.

Sunday February 4th was the most anticipated day of the year! Before the Super Bowl took place, 7 of the finest flag football players played flag football against a team made up of some "older" guys. In the end the younger, more agile boys were able to pull off the win.

A great time was had by all!

Special Thanks to Eli Goldstein, Yussi Openden, Danny Steger, Reuven Goodman, Tali Strum, Yaakov Berkowitz, Moshe Starkman, and Scott Leder for participating in this event.

TYFFL UPDATE

On Friday February 2nd, 2007 the first round of the TYFFL Playoffs took place.

In the end, it was Tov Pizza defeating Allied Funding and Goldberg's defeating Sunpride.

This coming Friday February 9th will be the TYFFL Torah Youth Bowl!

Tov Pizza versus Goldberg's

12:30pm

Feel free to come out and watch the game!

Week 8 TYFFL (January 26, 2007)

The final week of the regular season was a cold one. However, the competition kept things heated up.

Tov Pizza (7-1) defeated Goldberg's (4-4)
Sunpride (4-4) inched by Allied (1-7)

Playoffs begin this Friday February 2, 2007...

TYFFL Week 7

Allied Funding loses to Goldberg's in a hard fought game while Tov Pizza continues to roll as they defeated SunPride.

Tov Pizza (6-1) defeats Sunpride (3-4)
Goldberg's(4-3) defeats Allied (1-6)

FOR AISH TEENS!!!!

Mazel Tov to AISH's own EETA BERGER on becoming a Kallah to David Bermanski

MAZEL TOV!!!!

Below, I have copied an email that I received. I do not know the original source for this, but it was from an Ask the Rabbi column:

Question of the Week:Dear Rabbi,

Why does the Jewish religion seem to obsess over insignificant details? How much matza do we have to eat, which spoon did I use for milk and which for meat, what is the right way to tie my shoelaces? It seems to me that this misses the bigger picture by focusing on minutiae. Is this nitpicking what Jews call spirituality? (I actually already sent you this question over a week ago and didn't receive a reply. Could it be that you have finally been asked a question that you can't answer?!)

Rob

Answer:Dear Rob,

I never claimed to have all the answers. There are many questions that are beyond me. But it happens to be that I did answer your question, and you did get the answer. I sent a reply immediately. The fact that you didn't receive it is itself the answer to your question. You see, I sent you a reply, but I wrote your email address leaving out the "dot" before the "com". I figured that you should still receive the email, because after all, it is only one little dot missing. I mean come on, it's not as if I wrote the wrong name or something drastic like that! Would anyone be so nitpicky as to differentiate between "yahoocom" and "yahoo.com"? Isn't it a bit ridiculous that you didn't get my email just because of a little dot?No, it's not ridiculous. Because the dot is not just a dot. It represents something. That dot has meaning far beyond the pixels on the screen that form it. To me it may seem insignificant, but that is simply due to my ignorance of the ways of the web. All I know is that with the dot, the message gets to the right destination; without it, the message is lost to oblivion. Jewish practices have infinite depth. Each nuance and detail contains a world of symbolism. And every dot counts. When they are performed with precision, a spiritual vibration is emailed throughout the universe, all the way to G-d's inbox. If you want to understand the symbolism of the dot, study I.T.If you want to understand the symbolism of Judaism, study it.All the best,
Rabbi B.