(As seen in last week's Spotlight) 

This past Sunday, the Yeshiva held its 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner at Jungle Island in Miami Beach. Nearly 450 people assembled to pay tribute to our worthy honorees and support the sacred work of our institution. The tremendous expression of love and support for the Yeshiva was truly an uplifting and inspiring sight to behold. The substantial outpouring of funds pledged both during the campaign and at the dinner itself exceeded the Yeshiva's ambitious seasonal goal.

As they entered, guests were treated to an extensive smorgasbord of hot dishes and delicacies on the outdoor third floor veranda overlooking Biscayne Bay. (Let's see them do that in New York in January!) The formal dinner program commenced in the Tree Top Ballroom with the recitation of Tehilim and a special message from Toras Emes President Dr. Allan I. Jacob. Mr. Ronnie Cohen, a longtime friend and supporter of the Yeshiva, presented a snapshot of the Yeshiva's operations and finances. He then electrified the crowd by announcing a generous grant that would match, dollar for dollar, all funds raised that evening. After a multi-media presentation highlighting the Yeshiva's significant impact on the Jewish communities of South Florida, Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro, Rav of Congregation Shaaray Tefilah of North Miami Beach, urged those in attendance to redouble their efforts in supporting the Yeshiva.

Special presentations were made to our venerable Guests of Honor, Mr. & Mrs. Marcos and Tiffany Lapciuc, and our most deserving Kesser Shem Tov Awardees, Mr. & Mrs. Aaron and Randy Groffman. The crowd was served a scrumptious dinner catered by Emerald Catering and enjoyed a moving musical interlude by Akiva Shechter, an up-and-coming new voice on the Jewish musical scene.

The real beneficiaries of the evening, however, were the 643 precious children and young men of YTC/TEAM who are walking along the path of educational excellence, and are being imbued with a lifelong thirst for Torah learning and the tools to succeed in life. It is only through the outstanding generosity of our supporters that the Yeshiva is able to continue to transmit the Torah to the next generation of K'lal Yisroel.

By Shmuel Goldis (as seen in this week's Spotlight)

This word sends chills down peoples spines and is generally feared by most; especially the student body.  The word is "test".  However, here in Yeshiva Toras Chaim, we are always finding ways to make student assessment a more fun and enjoyable process.  Rabbi Palgon's 11^th grade shiur has devised a plan that has accomplished this goal.

As the date of a test nears, days and nights are filled with stress, ardent studying and cramming.  To eliminate these problems, reviewing one's learning on a regular basis helps.  That is why Rabbi Mordechai Palgon's 11^th grade shiur always studies in depth as a group before every exam.  Before every  bechina, a time and date is chosen for the class to meet, learn and study the enjoyable way, preparing for the bechina over refreshments.

The class has taken these afterschool learning sessions to a new level by meeting in various shuls around South Florida. Sessions have taken place in Aish Hatorah of Hollywood, K'hal Chasidim of North Miami Beach and Nativei Ezra of Aventura, each being "home" to members of the class. Sessions have also taken place in Boca Raton and at the Miami Beach Kollel, and  be'ezras Hashem, many more learning sessions are still to come.

So why stress over a test when a fun and easy alternative is present?  The 11^th grade chazara system enjoyable and productive for everyone to be successful!  

If you would like to sponsor a learning session in honor of a loved one, or just "stam azoi," please call the Yeshiva office at 305-944-5344.