Some of the most meaningful experiences for a YTC talmid are the times spent together with his chaveirim and Rabbeim outside of the traditional classroom setting. The eleventh grade recently had one such experience, as they spent last Shabbos in the Milwaukee/Chicago area with their Rabbeim, Rabbi Yaakov Dreyfuss and Rabbi Dovid May.
When the class arrived in Chicago on Thursday afternoon, they visited the Chicago Rabbinical Council, one of the foremost Batei Dinim in the country. At the Bais Din, the talmidim learned about the role of Batei Dinim in a community and had an animated discussion regarding the halachic basis of some of the Bais Din's recent decisions with Rabbi Ephraim Friedman, one of the Dayanim. As the Yeshiva is currently learning Meseches Yevamos, of special interest was a chalitza shoe fabricated by the Bais Din.
On Friday, the boys visited the Yeshiva Gedolah of Milwaukee (WITS) and had a private session with the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Avrohom Baruch Rauch, Shilt"a, who spoke to them about developing their individual strengths to be the best they can. They also had a special Shiur with their Rebbe. Later in the day, the boys visited senior citizens in the Milwaukee Jewish Home for the Aged.
For many of the talmidim, the highlight of the weekend was spending Shabbos in the Torah community of Rabbi Michel Twerski, Rav of Congregation Bais Yehuda on Milwaukee's West Side. The young men were treated to a special Shabbos experience, replete with Torah, tefillah, zemiros and stories. Rabbi Bentzion Twerski shared with the talmidim his experiences with the Bobover Rebbe, ZT"L, and used vignettes from the Rebbe's life as examples of the ways in which one can devote his life to avodas Hashem.
Eleventh grader Amram Steinberger remarked that the trip was both meaningful and enjoyable, "What I will remember the most, however, is the tremendous achdus we felt being together as a group. That was awesome!"
Mazel Tov!