בס“ד GROUP PHOTO 2012 - 5772 TheThe YGYG ConnectionConnection The Rabbinical College of & NZ Newsletter

ISSUE 10 Rosh Hashanah 5773 In this Issue: 16 September 2012

Torah Fusion

Torah and Technology

Mivtzoyim Dinner Annual Shabbaton Yom Tov Annual Photo One of the basics tenets of Chassidus is that an inspiring “Yom-Tov” (Jewish Holiday) is a product of Global Impact diligent preparation. This is especially so with the Shluchim Thank-You advent of the month of Tishrei, and the special days of Rosh-Hashana, Yom-Kippur, Sukkos and Simchas- Torah. Tishrei Guide Talmud An important cornerstone of these preparations is the The Rabbinical study of Shulchan-Aruch, and the students devoted College has once This past semester, Iyun (in-depth Talmud) themselves to learning the Halachos (laws) of these again published studies at the Rabbinical College focussed on festive days. and distributed the third chapter of Tractate Kiddushin. This the latest version Additionally, a special “Seder Sichos” curriculum was Top Row (L‐R): Shneor Zalman Ossowiecki (Shliach), Levi Brown, Dovid Goldenberg, Chaim Lever, Shimon Dubinsky (Shliach), Chaim of the “Tishrei chapter addresses a arranged, delving into the inner dimension of these Pinczower, Osher Dyce, Yosef Aron, Yakov Carlebach (Dorm Counsellor), Avrohom Engel (Shliach), Moshe Joseph, Shneur Zalman Plotke, Guide,” to edu- number of important legal festivals. Levi Kehaty, Menashe Segman, Yehoshua Kastel, Bentzi Weiss, Eli Wajsbort, Yisroel Piha (Dorm Counsellor). cate and assist issues, such as if an agent A special highlight this year was a series of innovative members of the breached his agreement Second Row (L‐R): Mendy Chriqui, Levi Rosenbaum, Chaim Lisbon, Shloimi Gross, Moishe Procel, Menachem Straiton, Eli Einbinder, Levi and inspiring Skype videoconferences, led by community with with the sender, the Gutnick, Ari Werdiger, Yisroel Ohana (Shliach), Dovi Straiton, Mendy Nutovics, Mordechai Gutnick, Aron Niasoff, Hirschel Gourarie internationally renowned and speakers. They their Holiday ethical propriety of (Shliach), Mendi Rosenbaum, Ephraim Block. addressed the students about the significance of the observance. It may be viewed and acquiring something that downloaded via our website. High-Holidays, and shared some personal reflections Third Row (L‐R): Mendy Duchman, Moshe Sabbah, Mendy Mochkin, Sholom Meyer, Hirshi Gutnick, Yossi Moshel, Avi Bart, Mendy Begun another is actively dating back from the times when they celebrated (Shliach), Eli Duban, Moshe Backman (Shliach), Shmuel Lipskier (Shliach), Aron Masinter, Yossi Krinsky, Yisroel Adelist, Yosef Yitzchok seeking to obtain, and these special days with the Rebbe. They also shared Lipskier, Shneur Zalman Shusterman, Levi Liberow (Shliach). Heoros the rules governing the some of their experiences as emissaries of the Rebbe legalities of all stipulations in Front Row (L‐R): Mendy Lieberman (Shliach), Yossi Gutnick, S Goldzweig (Meishiv), Rabbi Y Schneier (), Rabbi M Szmer- at their respective locations around the globe. Torah Law. ling (Maggid Shiur), Rabbi SB Engel (Mashgiach), Rabbi Y Winner (Mashpia), Rabbi B Cohen (Rosh Yeshivah), Rabbi S Lesches (Maggid “Heoros Hatmimim” is a periodical Special thanks to Rabbi Yosef Kantor (Bangkok, Shiur), Mr A Procel (Executive Director), Mr M Joseph (General Manager), Herman Miller (Chef), Yankel Hirsch, Mendy Bortunk, Mendy published by the Rabbinical Col- Girsa (Talmud survey) studies varied, with some Thailand) who addressed the students about Rosh- lege of Australia & NZ, containing Polter (Shliach), Yossi Chriqui. Hashana, Rabbi Shmuel Lew (London, England) who Torah thoughts and insights. See students focussing on the laws of blessings spoke about Yom-Kippur, Rabbi Michoel Danow Absent: Mendy Jedwab, Zuzz Rapp, Shmuel Slonim (Shliach), Shneur Zalman Tauby, Shneur Zalman Teleshevsky, Mendy Ulman. the “Heoros” page, under the discussed in Tractate Brachos, and other “Students” section of our website. students studying the layout of the Beis (Leeds, England) who focussed on Sukkos, and Rabbi Hamikdosh and its divine service, as described Shaul Wilhelm (Oslo, Norway) who spoke about Simchas Torah. As the year 5772 draws to its close, we thank our second- All submissions (both in Hebrew in Tractate Tomid. Yet another group devoted year Shluchim for their tireless efforts on behalf of the and English) may be emailed to themselves to mastering significant portions of Rabbinical College of Australia & New Zealand, and wish [email protected]. Tractate Kiddushin by heart, with a combined them much success in all of their future endeavours: total well over one-hundred Blatt (folios).

Mendy Begun  Shimon Dubinsky  Hirschel Gourarie Levi Liberow  Shmuel Lipskier  Mendel Polter Our Website Chassidus The “L’Chaim Weekly” is a weekly newsletter published in the USA The Rabbinical College of Austral- by the Lubavitch Youth Organization of Brooklyn, New York. It has a ia & NZ Website is being constant- The daily morning Chassidus studies included a readership base numbering in the tens of thousands, and is possibly ly updated. series of Ma’amarim (Chassidic discourses) the most-read weekly publication world-wide. The success focusing on prayer. Our sages tell us that our forefather Yakov’s dream about a ladder “standing of “L’Chaim Weekly” spawned the proliferation of other similar Visit us at: publications internationally, including Australia’s own “Lamplighter RabbinicalCollege.edu.au on the ground and reaching into the heavens” Weekly”, published by the of Caulfield in conjunction symbolizes prayer. In Kabbalistic thought, Yakov’s with the Rabbinical College of Australia & New Zealand. ladder has four rungs. Chassidic teaching identifies the four stages of the morning Shacharis Recently, “L’Chaim Weekly” picked up on several articles published We wish our first-year Shluchim much continued success Advertising prayer. in “The YG Connection”, and reprinted them (with permission) in in their Shlichus next year: several issues (1209, 1215, 1216). We are grateful for this To advertise in the YG Connec- Chassidus night studies focussed on the topic of opportunity to have a positive global impact, and we look forward to Moshe Backman  Avrohom Engel  Mendy Lieberman tion, the annual diary, or on our obstacles and tribulations; how to overcome them, more of the same in the future. Israel Ohana  Shneor Ossowiecki  Shmuel Slonim website, please contact us at and indeed, grow from them. [email protected].

The electronic version of this Magazine (including more information and pictures) is available at: Rabbinical College of Australia & New Zealand www.rabbinicalcollege.edu.au/YGconnection 67 Alexandra Street, East S. Kilda, VIC 3183, Australia To subscribe, please submit your email address to [email protected] Phone: (03) 9525-9165 ~ Fax: (03) 9525-9970 ~ Website: www.rabbinicalcollege.edu.au בס“ד

obviates security and content-access con- Shabbaton - Winter 5772 T A cerns, while incorporating Google Apps for Education and other solutions. In the beginning of Sivan (June), students of T The iPads, which belong to the Yeshivah, the Rabbinical College of Australia & NZ are kept by the Hanholo and made availa- enjoyed a mid-winter Shabbaton, arranged by ble to the students of Shiur Beis, for note- the Shluchim. The Rabbinical College of Australia & New taking. The notes are automatically copied Zealand is internationally renowned in real-time to a central server location, The Shabbaton took place at Log Cabin Camp, a among mainstream Lubavitch Yeshivos where they are accessed by the Maggid rustic bush resort located at scenic Creswick, a for streaming Shiurim according to learn- Shiur for assessment and correction. The two hour drive from . ing ability, and not according to age. This notes are also automatically shared with model has proven to be incredibly suc- any parent who opts in. The Bochurim enjoyed some recreation when they cessful, with four levels currently provid- arrived at the campsite, after which they made The students are also given the iPads for ed separately for Nigleh and Chassidus. their final Shabbos preparations. Friday night one hour during the afternoon revision of began with Mincha and a moving Seder Nigunnim, Learning Gemoro requires fluency in a Shiur. During that time, the Bochurim which was followed by a study session and a very number of different areas, such as reading make a daily audio recording of the Gem- lively Kabbolas Shabbos. The Bochurim shared each Aramaic word with the correct Neku- oro they learned, for assessment by the stories and words of Torah around the Shabbos dos, translating the Gemoro’s words pre- Maggid Shiur. These audio files are also table. Before long, the Shabbos meal turned into cisely and understanding the nuanced automatically copied to the server, where one of YG’s legendary “Hiskashrus” meanings of its cryptic phrases, punctuat- they are accessible to the parents. that went on late into the night. ing the Gemoro correctly, grasping the Technology integration into the learning Each Friday afternoon, students of the intent and the flow of the Sugya, and ex- Despite the late night, Shabbos morning began environment is a relatively novel idea with- Rabbinical College of Australia take part ploring its deeper layers of interpretation. bright and early with a refreshing Mikvah dip in the in the Lubavitch Yeshivah-Gedolah sys- in “Mivtzoyim”, visiting workplaces, shop- Focussing on all of these tasks at once is ice-cold lake, followed by pastries and Chassidus tem. The opportunity to employ it has pro- ping centres and offices to share a word a challenge. by the fireside. The davening was truly duced tangibly good results, and en- of Torah, and to encourage their fellow introspective, taking nearly four hours. One of the Recently, the Rabbinical College em- hanced parent involvement. The iPads to fulfil an extra Mitzvah. Some highlights was the Aliyos auction, in which good barked on a new initiative to encourage augment quality individual interaction be- students also visit patients in area hospi- resolutions were tendered as bids. and assist its Bochurim to further develop tween Maggid Shiur and the Bochurim, at tals and homes, offering a word of en- each of these skills, through the integra- a level which was previously inconceiva- couragement and sympathy in their time The Shabbos meal included a number of inspiring tion of iPads into the existing learn- ble. The Bochurim are very enthusiastic of distress. personal stories, and much singing. It was followed ing routine observed in Tomchei-Temimim about the merger of millennia-old Gemoro with a “ at the Fireplace”. After a short At a recent dinner (3 Av – 22 July), over Yeshivos. The iPads were configured study with the power of modern mobile break for some fresh air, Shabbos concluded with within an internal network in a manner that technology. fifty people regularly visited on Mivtzoyim Mincha, Seder Niggunim and Maariv. gathered to thank their Friday Mivtzoyim At the Melave Malka banquet, the Bochurim volunteers. The warm atmosphere was viewed a special video collage of the current year palpable in the hall as everyone began at YG. The Bochurim then boarded the bus for the arriving and sharing their welcomes. ride back to Melbourne – refreshed and Program highlights included Yeshivah reinvigorated by the inspirational Shabbaton. Gedolah student Avi Bart sharing some A special thanks to all who made this project personal Mivtzoyim experiences, and possible, including the Shluchim for arranging and Stan Gordon speaking of his warm con- coordinating the Shabbaton, the team of Bochurim nection with Chabad and his thanks to all who helped make the Shabbaton the success that the boys who visited him each Friday it was, and Mr Mordechai Joseph for overseeing over the years. the event. Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, a former stu- dent of the Rabbinical College, current rabbi of St Kilda Hebrew Congregation and president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, captivated the audience as he shared the special impact the Yeshi- vah Gedolah students have on the mem- bers of his congregation. Mivtzoyim coordinators Shmuel Lipskier During the past several months, the and Mendel Polter presented each Rabbinical College has been privileged Mivtzoyim volunteer with a certificate and to host a number of Farbrengens led by special leather Tefillin Bag as a token of internationally renowned rabbis, leaders appreciation, and Chabad-Youth director and lecturers, including: Rabbi Shea Rabbi Moshe Kahn encouraged each Hecht, chief-rabbi of Eilat, Rabbi YY and every person in the crowd to en- Jacobson, editor-in-chief of the largest hance their Mitzvah observance. Yiddish-English weekly The Algemeiner Journal and director of TheYeshivah.net, The evening concluded with desserts, a and Rabbi Chaim Miller, the chief-editor special video presentation, and the distri- of the Gutnick Chumash. bution of a special souvenir journal.