Monday morning in Yeshiva Toras Chaim marked a significant and unforgettable event, as Rebbeim, students, dignitaries, sponsors, community members gathered in front of the Yeshiva for the groundbreaking of the Helfman Residence Hall, our new addition to the Hahn Residence Hall. The event kicked off with memorable speeches by Rabbi Mordechai Palgon, Rabbi Yisroel Niman, Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro, Dr. Allan Jacob, Dr. Elliot Hahn, Mr. Gustavo Bogomolni, and our very own Mayor George Vallejo of North Miami Beach. All the guests then donned their hard hats and danced all the way to the location of the groundbreaking, with the Yeshiva Band playing along in the background.
The Mayor, along with the Roshei HaYeshiva, sponsors, and other City Council members, counted down and dug up the first ground in unison, symbolizing a momentous occasion and kicking off a significant process to add dormitory space for the benefit of the Yeshiva. In an exclusive interview with Mayor Vallejo, he commented, "I am happy that after many years of struggle, this is finally happening. I want to thank the school, the community, the city, and all the sponsors of this event for making it happen and for sticking with it to the end. At any point, anybody could have thrown up their hands and given up on each other, but each and every person stayed really devoted to this project to the end."
Dr. Hahn also noted this major accomplishment of the Yeshiva, as he remarked, "We are very appreciative of the success being achieved in initiating this project, and we thank all the administration who helped bring it to fruition. In the merit of Mordechai Pinchas Ben Binyamin (Mr. Max Helfman), we should all grow through this great achievement. I'm sure the talmidim who occupy the hall will do him honor."
Refreshments were served following the groundbreaking and the construction workers got to work without delay. Iy"H, when the project is finally finished, the B'nei HaYeshiva and all the people involved who made this project happen will look back and appreciate this amazing event and what it meant for the Yeshiva.
Mayor Vallejo didn't leave without wishing his best to the Yeshiva, mentioning that he hopes "only good things come from the Yeshiva and to this community...and may G-d bless all the people in the Yeshiva and all those that walk through its doors." We certainly hope the same.
Mazel Tov to
