46 12 Nisan 5778 // March 28, 2018 COMMUNITY

Continued from page 44 nities existed for boys. The BCL was gates reinforced to our students the created to hopefully address that בס"ד importance of his work on behalf of need in a meaningful and creative .the schools in our community.” way ועד חיזוק לבני הישיבות -Refl ecting on my own experienc“ מיסודו של מרן המשגיח הרב שלמה וולבה ז"ל - erent commues growing up in a di ע"י בית המוסר, ירושלים Bein Hazmanim nity, I remember that many chessed In Mercaz Torah or volunteer programs for boys seemed to lack direction and plan- U’Tefi llah ning,” said Mr. Zi er. “In creating the BCL, we wanted Going to in Mercaz Torah U’Tefi llah is once to fi nd ways to engage our children again hosting an outstanding yeshi- in helping community organizations vas bein hazmanim with several so that once they grow up, they will Eretz Yisroel may worry you… special speakers throughout Chol already be familiar with the organi- Hamoed. The shul, which is under zation’s missions and roles, and be the leadership of Yissocher much more prepared to step in and Dov Eichenstein, is located at 6500 help. But to really motivate our kids, Baythorne Road. we need to be realistic about what Minyanim for Shacharis will be speaks to them and how to excite held at 6:15 a.m. (except on Sunday), them. We knew there had to be an 6:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:15 e ective way to frame and present a.m., 8:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m., and 9:15 chessed experiences in a positive, a.m. fun light.” Morning seder will last until “Knowing that so many boys in [email protected] 12:00, and will be led by Rebbeim our community already participate from local yeshivos, including Rabbi in local athletics and feel comfort- Simcha Cook, Rabbi Yaakov Frand, able in a sports league format, we Rabbi Yosef Berkowitz, and Rabbi began to develop our vision of the Avrohom Feldheim. BCL to include teams, a competitive, Each morning of Chol Hamoed, incentive-based framework, moti- there will be a on inyanei vated coaches, uniforms, and more.” d’yoma from a variety of guest The league is run under the aus- speakers. Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum, pices of a local Baltimore shul, Sub- from Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, will urban Orthodox Toras Chaim, and speak on Monday; Harav Avrohom is open to boys between fi fth- and Schorr, from Yeshivas Toras Chaim eighth-grade. Participating boys are Vaad Chizuk: in Yerushalayim, will speak on Tues- divided into teams, sponsored by day; Harav Shraga Neuberger, from local Jewish businesses, comprised Empowering Yeshivas Ner Yisroel will speak of six players and coached/mentored on Wednesday; and Rabbi Chaim by two purpose-driven coaches per Cohen, from Beis Hamedrash and team. Yeshiva of Baltimore, will speak on Rather than competing head to Thursday. head, each team receives a week- Bochurim ly chessed assignment and aims to attain 20 points, which represents One-By-One! Baltimore Chesed League a “win.” A team receives 15 points Completes Second for successfully completing its des- ignated team activity, while the Vaad Chizuk, has BS”D assisted thousands of Successful Season remaining fi ve points require indi- vidual team members to complete Bochurim in becoming independent, successful Can competitive chessed create “smaller” chessed activities on their Bnei Torah, thriving in their learning and Yiddishkeit. the next generation of askanim? own time. That’s precisely the question orga- Examples of the team activities nizers of the Baltimore Chesed include visiting local nursing homes, League sought to answer when initi- working to clean and organize the For more information: vaadchizuk.org ating the league in 2017. Bikur Cholim gemach, or collecting Recently having completed trash in a local Jewish cemetery. The or call: 732.444.7474 (2 - 4 pm EST) its second season, after expand- smaller, individual activities might In Eretz Yisroel: 02.537.1005 (9 - 11 pm) ing to 13 teams, 78 boys and 26 include helping to clean up from coach/mentors, evidence is point- a shul kiddush, visiting an elderly [email protected] ing strongly to the a rmative. The neighbor on Shabbos afternoon, or BCL has also been drawing interest shoveling the sidewalk of a neighbor. For the desk of Rabbi Eliezer Wolbe dial 211, for Rabbi Yona Emanuel dial 212. from other communities as an inno- If a team attains a “win,” they vative and fun way to engage Jewish become eligible for incentives pro- All information is strictly confidential. boys in chessed but more important- vided by the league. Incentives for ly, to inculcate them with a spirit of wins include team meals at local “doing” that could carry over into restaurants, a bowling outing, and an Founded by the Mashgiach Harav Shlomo Wolbe z”l guided by Maran Harav their adult lives. end-of-season barbecue. Ahron Leib Shteinman, Harav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz and Harav Nosson Commissioner and founder, Mr. Looking back on the season, aside Tzvi Finkel zt”l . With the Haskamah and constant involvement of Dovi Zi er, had the idea to create from the outpouring of positive Rosh Vaad Chizuk Harav Yehoshua Eichenstein, Harav the BCL in early 2017. Refl ects Mr. feedback from the partner organi- Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Harav Elya Brudny Shlit”a. Zi er, “Working with a group of zations and league parents, as well talented community members, we as the feedback from the boys them- US address: A.F.I.T.E. 1845 52nd St. Suite 9 Brooklyn, found that while multiple programs selves, BCL committee member Mr. NY 11204 existed to involve and engage girls in Zevi Daniel recounts many BCL chessed activities, far fewer opportu- moments where individuals, and