TWENTI ETH ANNUAL DINNE R Mr. Tuvia Liberman Master of Ceremonies Mr. & Mrs. Bruce and Linda Goldberg Kesser Torah Award Mr. & Mrs. Gary and Ilana Schild Avodas Hakodesh Award Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe and Atara Silverstein Harbotzas HaTorah Award YESHIVA NER BARUCH (PTI) KEYNOTE SPEAKER ATERES BRACHA (NEVE-PTI) RABBI PAYSACH KROHN Phone (973) 594-4774 Fax (973) 689-9119 441 Passaic Avenue Passaic, NJ 07055 HOME FOUNDER PARCHMENT CHAI PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD FULL H Q E G A Message from Rabbi Shlomo Singer Founder and Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) This past year has been one of tremendous growth for Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) & Ateres Bracha (Neve-PTI), We have continued to expand and improve the HaRav Tzvi Aryeh Zemel Beis Medrash, the Pearl Salomon Ezras Noshim and the HaRav Yaakov and Faiga Friedman Building. Baruch Hash-m, our growth is not only in the physical realm, but in the spiritual as well. We have increased the depth and breadth of our programming for both the men and the very worthy women of our community. What is the secret of our success? Deep down in every Jewish soul is a yearning for the truth. Once the soul is exposed to Torah, it seeks to delve deeper. At Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) and Ateres Bracha (NEVE-PTI), we have taken up the initial challenge to ignite that spark, the Ohr Torah that is also symbolic of the Yontif of Chanukah, which we will soon celebrate. The message of Chanukah is clear. The Greeks did not want to harm our physical bodies; they wanted to destroy our spiritual fiber. The ensuing war was over our refusal to forget about Hash-m in our everyday lives. The Jews fought to maintain their relationship with Hash-m. We continue to win this war by coming to Yeshiva to learn and by bringing these lessons into the workplace and our communities. We aspire to create an environment at Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) where our Talmidim can flourish under the guidance of our energetic Associate Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim, and our staff of charismatic Rabbeim. We find a way to reach each every Talmid regardless of his or her level of background. By learning Torah with a fiery passion, our hope is that our Talmidim will strengthen their attachment to Hash-m Yisborach throughout their lives. The Chovos Halevovos says that it is a Mitzvah for a person to earn a livelihood. At Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI), we offer the best of both worlds — the ability to support one’s family while having the opportunity to learn Torah in a genuine Yeshiva. We appreciate your continued support of our Yeshiva and thank everyone for attending this evening’s dinner. May we always be involved in Besoros Tovos (good tidings). HOME FOUNDER PARCHMENT CHAI PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD FULL H Q E G A Message from Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim Associate Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) When I tell people that I teach in a yeshiva, they ask me, “Elementary or High School?”When I tell them that this is a yeshiva for adults they are astonished: is there really a yeshiva like that? Why would an adult need to be in a yeshiva? Why aren’t a man’s early years spent in yeshiva sufficient? I believe that the explanation can be found in the Torah. When Yitzchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu davened to have a child, the pasuk says, “vayeaser lo,” Hashem answered him, referring to Yitzchak. Rashi points out that Rivka was also davening; so why doesn’t it say that Hashem answered them – Yitzchak and Rivka? Rashi quotes the Gemara in Yevamos 64a: “the prayers of a tzaddik who is the son of a rasha are not comparable to the prayers of a tzaddik who is the son of a tzaddik.” Therefore, although Rivka was a complete tzadekes, because her father was Besuel – a rasha – Hashem only answered Yitzchak’s tefillos, for he was a tzadik and the son of Avraham Avinu. But this answer needs further explanation, in light of the Gemara in Berachos 34a, which says that the level of a Ba’al Teshuva (master of repentance) is greater than the level of a completely righteous person. Based on this concept, Rivka should have been answered before Yitzchak! HaRav Eliyahu Dessler, zt”l, author of Michtav Me’Eliyahu, reconciles these two Gemaros. A master of repentance is on a higher level than a completely righteous person because of the great effort that it took him to reach the same level as that righteous one. In the eyes of Hashem, it is the effort and struggle that really count! On the other hand, when the Gemara says that the prayer of a tzadik who is the son of a tzadik is greater than that of a tzadik the son of a rasha, it is only talking about a tzadik like Yitzchak, who blazed his own trail in service of Hashem. Yitzchak pushed himself to excel on his own, using his father’s greatness as a starting point for his own growth, not as an endpoint. Avraham developed the attribute of kindness; Yitzchak didn’t just follow his father, but instead developed the attribute of fear of Hashem – a new avenue! This actually takes even more effort than repentance, since, by nature, people are happy simply to coast along, serving G-d the same way their parents did, with no individual exertion. This is why Yitzchak’s prayers were answered before Rivka’s. And this is why we need a yeshiva for adults. Hashem tasks us with being in a constant state of growth and continual focus in our service of Him, yisborach. A yeshiva is the vehicle that will help us grow and will carry us forward from level to level. Hashem looks at our effort; He can see us coast or can see us battle. Yeshiva Ner Boruch (PTI) is a place of constant focused effort, where we all strive for spiritual growth. HOME FOUNDER PARCHMENT CHAI PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD FULL H Q E G MR. & MRS. BRUCE & LINDA GOLDBERG Kesser Torah Award ruce came to Clifton, from Brooklyn, principal and motivational force behind many B 50 years ago after graduating from The students determination to lead a Torah life. City College of NY with a bachelor’s A number of Rabbi Singer’s students degree in Chemical Engineering. He became frum and went to yeshiva, obtained his first job in Clifton. eventually settling in Israel. While working in Clifton, he Over 30 years ago Bruce went to Brooklyn Poly at night began learning with Rabbi to get a Masters in Polymer Singer every Shabbos afternoon Science. He is presently plant in the Rabbi’s home and that manager and technical director was the beginning of PTI! As for a company in Carlstadt. word spread others were eager When Bruce was a 5th grader to join. Needing more space the in public school and Hebrew yeshiva first moved to the Rabbi’s school the Rabbi recommended to basement, then the garage and finally send him and his brother to a Yeshiva. in 2001 to its current home on Passaic The Rabbi was able to get a scholarship Avenue. Rabbi Singer has been a great for them at the Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway motivator for Bruce who has been involved in Brooklyn. Who would have known that with PTI from its inception. Rabbi Singer’s one Rabbi’s decision would have a positive positive attitude and support for everyone is a influence on three generations? It proves the unique characteristic. He inspires people of all point that one person can make a difference in backgrounds to come and learn at PTI. the lives of others. Bruce met his wife Linda in shul in While living in Clifton Bruce became Brooklyn. They married in 1967. Linda involved with a number of organizations worked in New York City as an executive serving on the board of the Adas Israel and secretary, until the birth of a daughter, eventually became President in the 70’s for Michele. Then she became a stay at home a three year term and again in the 80’s for a mom. Michele attended Hillel and Bruriah four year term. In addition , Bruce was on followed by seminary in Israel before enrolling the board of Hillel as treasurer in the 1970’s. at Stern and NYU. Michele and her husband Involvement in the Adas resulted in meeting Elie, have three children, Alyssa, Ari and Rabbi Singer and supporting his efforts in Dani. The grandchildren are a source of joy running the Passaic chapter of NCSY. Bruce and nachas to Linda and Bruce. was also president of the Inter-congregational Hebrew School where Rabbi Singer was the HOME FOUNDER PARCHMENT CHAI PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD FULL H Q E G Chai HOME FOUNDER PARCHMENT CHAI PLATINUM DIAMOND GOLD FULL H Q E G MR. & MRS. GARY & ILANA SCHILD Avodas Hakodesh Award nyone who knows the Schilds knows kids have grown up with the Yeshiva as Athat they are Yekkes and for this reason a second home. They run the children’s Gary was born precisely 8 days before Pesach, groups, help make the Kiddushim, set up the so he could have an Erev Pesach Sukkah, and so much more. Throughout Bris. Gary and his brother their childhood, Rabbi Singer and Marc took an active Rabbi Bodenheim have been role in their shul available for Daas Torah, from young ages. always with a smile and a Gary is known for gentle word.