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ה“ב

Volume 64, January, 2017

ז“טבת , תשע

Editor: Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Klein, Director of Publications and Communications Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz, Menahel

Inside this issue... Torah Umesorah’s Ninth Presidents Conference ……….. 1

Networking for 7th Grade Rebbeim ….. 4

Asarah B’Teves Nat’l Assembly Program..5

TU Parenting Course.…………....... 6

TU Online ………….. 6

TU at Yad Vashem Holocaust Studies Conference………… 7

Kriah Workshop ….. 8

Important Dates... January 22-24, 2017

Midwinter Principals Conference—(Phoenix)

April 2, 2017 The TU Dinner May 3-7, 2017 TU’s Annual National Leadership

If you would like your own or someone else’s email address added to the growing list of Portals recipients, please email to sklein@torah-

Continued on p.2.

Rav Hillel David, right, with Rabbi Avrohom Fruchthandler

Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky delivering pesicha

Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky, left, with R' Mendy Klein

Right to left, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rav Dovid Nojowitz and Mr. Don Ghermezian

The gathering of Gedolim with experts in askanus under one roof for 3 days brought together daas Torah and the finest expertise in lay leadership.

The 9th Presidents Conference of TU was held at the Turnberry Isle Hotel in Aventura, Florida over the weekend of Parashas Vayishlach, from December 15-18. It brought together an attendance of about 500 people, drawn chiefly from among executive directors, school presidents and prominent askanim from across the continent.

The conference was conceived nine years ago with the objective of assisting hundreds of yeshivos in dealing with financial challenges. Since its inception, conference at-tendance has increased by 150% and has become an annual highlight for many across North America.

Yet, a second agenda fuels the fire that draws increasing numbers each year: the opportunity to spend an inspirational Shabbos in the pres-ence of Gedolei Yisrael and a variety of illustrious rabbinical figures.

Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita, Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, and Harav Hillel David, shlita, Rav of Kehal Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Brooklyn, represented TU’s Vaad Roshei Yeshivos.

Ninth Presidents Conference

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Portals vol. 64 Shiurim were a premier part of the program through-

out the event. Daf Yomi shiurim were given by Rabbi Shabsi Brody and Rabbi Moshe Hauer. As well, four in-depth shiurim were delivered on inyanei Chanukah. These were given by Rav Hillel David, Rav Y.Y. Jacobson, Rav Dovid Nojowitz and Rav Chaim Yisroel Weinfeld.

Thursday Night At Thursday’s Opening Session, Dr. Louis Malcmacher

delivered welcoming remarks. This was followed by an inspiring pesicha address by Harav Kamenetsky.

The Thursday evening Plenary Session featured four well-known individuals. Mr. Don Ghermezian, Mr. David Z. Solomon, Rabbi Moshe Hauer and Rabbi Uri Lupoli-anski, from Jerusalem.

Friday Networking tables were assigned for breakfast, follow-

ing which a special session, moderated by Rabbi Aaron Kotler, convened on “Securing Our Schools.” Presenters included Mr. Nathan Diament, Mr. David Keene, Mr. George Piro and Mr. Frank Storch.

Two sets of concurrent workshops were then offered for the attendees to choose from. One featured, “What I’ve Learned in 40 Years of Fundraising, Part I,” while a second was “Cultivating the Right Relationship with Your Community’s Jewish Federation.” The third choice was, “Balancing Home Life and Askanus,” a session for wom-en.

Before lunch, women were also invited to a Q&A ses-sion with Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky.

After lunch, the second set of workshops included: “What I’ve Learned in 40 Years of Fundraising, Part II” and “Keeping Our Kids Safe.”

As Shabbos was ushered in, there was a special address for Women, delivered by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (Y.Y.) Ja-cobson, one of the most sought after speakers in the Jew-ish world today. His topic was, “The Nes of Chanukah and Our Purpose Today.”

The Seudas Shabbos address was made by Rabbi Chaim Nosson Segal. After the seudah there was an “Oneg Shabbos,” which featured divrei Torah by Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Weinfeld and Rabbi Jacobson. The event was made even more uplifting through the zemiros led by R’ Moshe Brodt and the Yedidim Choir.

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Rabbi Y. Y. Jacobson

Rabbi Moshe Hauer

R’ Yitzchok Perlstein

Rabbi Aaron Kotler

Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz

Mr. Barry Ray

Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Fruchtthandler

Rabbi Moshe Hauer making Havdalah

Presidents Conference continued

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Portals vol. 60 Portals vol. 61 Portals vol. 62 Portals vol. 63 Portals vol. 64 Shabbos

The heart of the Presidents’ Conference is the inspiration achieved via an uplifting Shabbos. Particularly poignant were ad-dresses of Harav Hillel David, prior to Mus-saf, and Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, deliv-ered at Shalosh Seudos.

Between Kiddush and the morning seudah, a stirring address was delivered by Mr. Gary Torgow.

After Seudas Shabbos, a shiur for ladies was given by Rabbi Moshe Hauer. His talk was entitled, “The Menorah at the Door: Chanukah and the Jewish Home.” The Shalosh Seudos address for women was delivered by Rebbetzin Chana R. Tabak.

Motzoei Shabbos/ Sunday Morning The Motzoei Shabbos Plenary Session

featured six speakers. Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Fruchthandler, Conference Chairman offered opening remarks. The audience was then treated to a special address by Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz. He was followed by Mr. Barry Ray, Rabbi Yossel Tabak, R’ Yitzchok Perlstein and Rabbi Jacobson.

The Melave Malka that capped the evening was graced by a kumzitz led by R’ Moshe Brodt and the Yedidim Choir.

Sunday Sunday’s Plenary session, dubbed

“Bored or Board? What the Board Can Do for You,” was presented by Mr. Dennis Ei-senberg.

When all was said and done, the good-byes at the conference’s close were ac-companied by heartfelt congratulations to the three individuals who devoted them-selves tirelessly to the success of the event: he team of Rabbi Zvi Bloom; Rabbi Binyomin Holland and Rabbi Dovid Wein-stein – as well as to TU as a whole for a most meaningful, worthwhile and enjoya-ble event. P

Left, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, right, Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz

Rabbi Y. Tabak, right, greets Rav Hillel David

L. to r. - R' Yosef Davis, Rabbi Zvi Bloom and Rabbi Yehuda Lefkovitz

L. to r. - Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, Rabbi Zvi Bloom, Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

L. to r. - Rabbi Eli Dessler, Dr.. Lou-is Malcmacher, Mr. Gary Torgow

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The recent seventh grade Lilmod U'Lilamed Professional Development Day was inspiring as well as informative… not unlike all of the Lilmod U'Lilamed programs. A large group of seventh grade rebbeim gathered for professional development and networking. The powerful presenters and the quality of their presentations left a lasting impression on all the participants. First, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Rubinfeld, the Lilmod U’lila-med program co-ordinator, welcomed participants. Then, after TU Menahel, Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz, launched the day with his opening remarks, Rabbi Yis-roel Ritterman, 7th grade Rebbi of Lakewood Cheder, electrified his audience with his talk on "Strategies to Give Your Talmidim a Ge-shmak in Learning." This was followed by a masterful presentation by Rabbi Shlo-mo Stein, Menahel of Yeshi-va Torah Vodaas and veter-an 7th grade Rebbi. He spoke on "How to Respond Effectively to your Talmid's Behavior.” After lunch, Lilmod U’lilamed’s trademark networking session took place. It was moderated by the talented Rabbi Yehudah Molller, Menahel of Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Rapahel Hirsch. “The issues that were brought to the table gave

rebbeim food for thought and ideas to bring into the classroom the very next day,” explained Rabbi Rubinfeld. “We’re thrilled to have had yet another

successful Lilmod U'Lilamed program,” he added. P

Portals vol. 60 Portals vol. 61 Portals vol. 62 Portals vol. 63 Portals vol. 64 Lilmod U’lilamed—7th Grade Rebbeim Networking Session

Rabbi Stein

Rabbi Ritterman Rabbi Moller

Rabbi Nojowitz Rabbi Rubinfeld

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Portals vol. 60 Portals vol. 61 Portals vol. 62 Portals vol. 63 Portals vol. 64 Asarah B’Teves National Assembly Program

The 10th day of Teves has been associated with Churban Yahadus Europe for many years. Apart from its historical sig-nificance which goes back to the Churban Bayis Rishon, it was years ago designated by Rabbanim in Eretz Yisrael as the “Yom Hakaddish Haklali,” when survivors who lost relatives during the war but don’t know the date of the yahrtzeit would be able to say kaddish l’ilui nishmasam. The date has also been selected by TU’s Zechor Yemos Olam Program (ZYO) as the best time for schools across North America to hold assemblies to memorialize the churban of “Yahadus Europa” during the war. It is common for about 300 TU affiliate schools to take part in the program. This year, largely as a result of the fast falling on a Sunday, a small number of schools chose not to hold the yearly event. Despite that,nearly 270 mosdos had registered for the event. As the program highlight for these assemblies (which usu-ally includes an address by a Holocaust survivor, as well as Tehillim) is the viewing of an original ZYO documentary about a specific Holocaust theme. This year schools viewed Rescue and Neglect, originally viewed several years ago and which focuses on the wartime hatzoloh efforts that were made—often ending in frustration. It is the hope of ZYO that a new

documentary film project will be undertaken before long, bringing the total of such resources to eight. Portals is pleased to share one of the earliest feedback responses that ZYO received following the pro-gram. It was a copy of the yeshiva’s newsletter to their parent body.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kutoff, Menahel Rabbi Dovid Wechsler, Sgan Menahel

Today, in commemoration of Asara b'Teves, the students, along with thousands of Yeshiva, Bais Yaakov and day school students around the country, participated in an annual nationwide program sponsored by Torah Umesorah’s Zehor Yemos Olam program. This year's presentation was entitled RESCUE AND NEGLECT: REMEM-BER THE KEDOSHIM. Following the presenta-tion, the boys joined together with their Rabbeim

for a meaningful Tefilas Mincha. The Yeshiva thanks Torah Umesorah for facilitating this most worthwhile program. P

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TU Offers Parenting Course Rabbi Chaim Wein, TU’s Director of Spe-

cial Services has teamed up with TU’s Director of NCYP - Women’s Division, Mrs. R. Zimmer-man, in initiating a course on parenting for in-terested individuals.

The four-part program, entitled “Parenting 4 Success,” is being taught by well known expert, Mrs. M. Rosenthal.

The course, which is being held at the TU Lakewood Teachers Center, is offering guid-ance in such crucial parenting areas as disci-pline, relationships, building self-esteem in chil-dren, dealing with sibling rivalry and much more.

Rabbi Wein explains, “ We have received ongoing requests for quite some time asking that TU become involved in parenting instruc-tion for the tzibbur.”

The launch of this important initiative took place on Wednesday, January 4th with an attendance of 50 participants. Additionally, the proceedings are being made available to re-mote audiences via livestream or via telecon-ference. P

Torah Umesorah Sessions and Shiurim Online Various divisions of Torah Umesorah have been presenting programs which are of interest to the broader community— mechanchim and non-mechanchim alike. Many of these have already been uploaded to the general website of Torah Umesorah. This is also a work in progress, as more events and presentations will be committed to the site and will be made available to interested viewers/listeners. These in-

clude presentations on emunah, parenting, addresses delivered at feature events (such as the latest Presidents Conference and Nation-al Leadership Convention), Holocaust Stud-ies, professional development and more. You can also take a look at TU’s promotional ma-terial. To see our resources, visit TORAH-UMESORAH.ORG; then, from the menu at the top select MEDIA, then VIDEOS. Become connected to the exciting and ever-expanding learning experiences of Torah Umesorah. P

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Shortly before Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Shmuel Klein, Director of TU’s Zechor Yemos Olam Divi-sion of Holocaust Studies (ZYO), was paid a visit by Rabbi Moshe Cohn, an officer of the famed Yad Vashem Holocaust Center, located in Yerushalayim. Rabbi Cohn, a talmid of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim, is the liaison in charge of Orthodox Holocaust-Ed. programming in Chutz La’aretz. He came to invite Rabbi Klein to participate in an international con-ference on teaching about Churban Eu-rope within the so-called “charedi” sphere. The objective was to explore means for strengthening Jewish identity in the Diaspora, a goal that is being served well by Torah schools across America as it is. While Rabbi Klein was unable to attend, it was felt that TU’s presence at the conference, which took place over Chanukah in Yerushalayim, would be im-portant. Rabbi Klein asked Rabbi Yehoshua Levy, who has assisted Rabbi Klein in ZYO activities, if he might possibly accommodate and represent him at the 4-day event... despite Rabbi Levy’s busy schedule as a TU Executive Con-sultant. Rabbi Levy, who has of-ten brought ZYO’s message to

schools across America, consent-ed. Rabbi Levy felt that despite the fact that many of those in-volved at Yad Vashem have a

different perspective on the Holo-caust from the accepted Torah approach, it was nevertheless a Kiddush Hashem that so many Torah educators had gathered to discuss the topic at hand. The program consisted of lec-tures as well as panel discussions. Rabbi Levy was a panelist in a ses-sion that discussed, “How Do We Teach Holocaust in the Diaspora.” Rabbi Levy expressed the view that as much as possible, educators need to tap the human resources—such as survivors— to enlighten children. “This becomes especially true in an age when impersonal and technological re-sources are being utilized in ex-

cess,” he said. Rabbi Levy also shared the view that research-based learning is a necessary tool for teaching the Holocaust in light of the need

to keep the topic as a whole as relevant as possible to the lives of our talmidim and talmidos, who become increasingly remote from that chapter of our history. P

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Rabbi Yehoshua Levy, 3rd from right, taking part in panel discussion at the recent Conference on Holocaust Studies that took place at Yad Vashem in Yerushalayim.

Rabbi Moshe Cohn Head Jewish World English Department, International School of Holocaust Studies Yad Vashem, Jerusalem

TU at International Holocaust Studies Conference

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Portals vol. 60 Portals vol. 61 Portals vol. 62 Portals vol. 63 Portals vol. 64 My Talmid Can’t Read. Should I Just Give Up? Rabbi Shalom Rohr is a well-known expert in the field of Special Education, currently heading the Resource Room at Yeshiva Ketana of Manhat-tan. His recent and well-received TU presentation was prefaced by words of gratitude to TU in gen-eral, to Rabbi Dovid Morgenstern— and particularly to Rabbi Chaim Wein—for offering him the oppor-tunity to present on his special methodology for teaching and reviewing Kriah skills. His methodology is based on the teaching of his rebbi, the famed Kriah expert, Rabbi Yaakov Ki-wak. The primary goal, says Rabbi Rohr, is to have talmidim review basics of kriah for the first 4 years of elementary school. This benefits not only the child who experiences difficulty, but also all of chil-

dren in the class. Two weekly, 20-minute sessions of review will ensure that the skills are in place when they become most necessary later on. Dozens of educators took part in the workshop, including some who tunes in to the livestream feed from as far away as Ottawa, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. P

New program for Mechanchim— for gaining insight into and solutions for challenging behaviors of talmidim. See next issue of Portals for a full re-port.