Canadian Friends of Boys Town Boys Town Jerusalem is a unique ‘community of youth’ where boys from every economic, social and cultural mylwvry rivn tyrq background acquire an inspiring technical, Torah and academic education which is so vital to Israel. September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 School Favourite Unanimous Choice for Valedictorian A Moving and Beautiful Success Story from errands to repairs to photography. I was the one people turned to when they needed help.” As such, Shalom-Meir was entrusted with a thick keyring of twenty-one keys to various rooms across the 18-acre campus, which he carried at all times. He was also designated the liaison to some eighty Youth Aliyah students-in- need at Boys Town who are granted special allocations. “I supplied each one with textbooks, and constantly had to remember who needed which book and when. That was quite a challenge!” Even at daily prayers in the school’s , Shalom-Meir was the Gabbai, the sexton responsible for running the services.

“I just finished organizing a week-end at the school for the senior class and their parents,” he noted. “This was one of the most difficult undertakings. But after the event, I took a long look around and asked myself, ‘Where was I then, when I first set foot in Boys Town, and where am I now?’ “Beforehand I had been a failure, someone afraid to speak to people and to get involved. It was hard to tell who cheered louder – the I think that when I moved into the dormitory here, things students or the faculty – when Shalom-Meir became easier for me. I began making friends and lending a Akbashev was awarded the “Exemplary hand wherever I could. I saw that the teachers really cared Student” Award at the 2015 Boys Town about me, and I decided to make a conscious effort to change Jerusalem Graduation. Well-loved and completely.” Continued on page 7 respected by classmates and teachers alike, Shalom-Meir has the gift of knowing precisely how and when to help others. In addition to his tremendous contributions to the school, he chalked up outstanding academic achievements and was awarded the Bernard and Ruth Friedman Award (Canada) for Excellence in Judaic Studies. But almost no one present at the ceremony realized why this prized student had originally enrolled in Boys Town. “This was the only school that would accept me,” he admitted when interviewed after the ceremony. “No other school believed I could succeed.” As he spoke, more than one tear was shed.

“It’s rare to find a boy with such remarkable organizational skills, dependability, and willingness to serve as Shalom-Meir,” says Boys Town Dean of Students Rabbi Meir Linchner. “He has been everyone’s right- hand man.” The eighteen-year old grad, son of immigrants to Israel from Shalom Meir Akbashev between Rabbi Elimelech Yaakov (L) and Rabbi Yossi Cohen, the Former Soviet Union, explained, “I helped the staff with everything High School Principal Canadian Friends of Boys Town Toronto Synagogue Jerusalem Kiryat Noar Yerushalayim

Founder When Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, Senior Rabbi of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation Rabbi Alexander S. Linchner, l”z (BAYT), Thornhill, Ontario, returned from the Shul’s Annual Israel mission last year and a visit Founding Chairman to Boys Town Jerusalem, he was so impressed with what he saw that he was moved to encourage a Eric Exton, l”z link between the BAYT bar mitzvah boys and the young, soon-to-be bar mitzvah boys at the Israeli President high school. Jules N. Kronis, Q.C. Treasurer Eldon Moses The age of mitzvot, 13 for boys, is called ‘gil mitzvot’. The word “gil” is associated with the word Honourary Chairs ‘gilah’ meaning ‘to rejoice’. The community joins the family in rejoicing when a young boy becomes Leslie Dan responsible for observing the mitzvot of the Torah. Charles Flam (Montreal)

Members Halifax Stephen Zatzman Montreal Jon Dlusy Rabbi Dr. Moise Ohana Toronto Mark Bernick Alan Burger Marty Collis Janice Maser Earl Miller Brian Morris Dr. Harriet Morris Eldon Moses Alina Turk Aaron Weinroth Marlene White Winnipeg Lyle Smordin Calgary Gordon Hoffman Vancouver Dr. W. Barrett Benny Chaim Kornfeld

Executive Director Seen here are only a few of the 86 Boys Town Jerusalem bar mitzvah boys holding their gifts Jerry Tollinsky Administrative Assistant “Because BAYT has a wide diversity of membership with children from varied backgrounds Debbie Basch attending a wide variety of schools,” explained Rabbi Korobkin, “We felt that it would be beneficial to have a uniform program that would cover educational material that might not be covered even by the boys who attend Jewish day school. Our emphasis is on the beauty and laws of making Contact us: and wearing tefillin, and the new responsibilities the boys will have upon becoming bar mitzvah Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem by participating in communal prayers and other communal activities at the BAYT. Boys Town 200-2788 Bathurst Street Jerusalem was the natural choice for being a partner with the boys at the BAYT. It is comprised Toronto, ON M6B 3A3 Tel: 416.789.7241 Fax: 416.789.1090 of young men who, in many ways, are just like the boys who attend BAYT, coming from diverse T.F.: 1.866.989.7241 backgrounds but who are unified in their love and commitment to Yiddishkeit. After seeing the Email: [email protected] amazing work that BTJ is doing, we wanted our young men to feel a connection to the boys in Please visit us at www.btjcanada.com Jerusalem who will grow up to be future Israeli soldiers and leaders within Israeli society.”

BN # 100764638RR0001 The Thornhill boys met with Jerry Tollinsky, National Executive Director of Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem. They viewed a short video presentation introducing them to Boys Town and The office of Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem proceeded to pepper Mr. Tollinsky with questions about the school, the students who study at Boys is grateful to Rabbi Moshe Linchner, Town and the reason for having a Canadian spokesperson representing the school. Dean, Yoni Strimber, Development Executive, Shoshana Kory, Administrator, Shoshana Levovitz (USA Office) and Melanie Rosenberg, Media Plus, without whose help this newsletter could not have been published. Thank you! Please visit us at www.btjcanada.org

2 September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 Bar Mitzvah Class Twins with BTJ New Program Connects Almost 100 Boys

They learned that most of the boys studying at the school face challenging social, family and financial situations; that there is widespread poverty among the students, most of whom have recently emigrated from Ukraine, France, Ethiopia, North Africa; even from Iran. What was most interesting to the BAYT boys was that all of the Israeli boys serve in the IDF after graduation. Using their extensive Hi tech training, they serve in highly specialized areas. Program advisor, Rabbi Netanel Javasky concludes that, “It is really important for our boys to recognize and relate to bar mitzvah boys in Israel who may be less fortunate. As they celebrate in Toronto, they are connected to boys in our homeland, celebrating their bar mitzvahs as well.”

The BAYT boys decided to purchase a portable booklet of psalms (Tehillim) for Joining advisor Rabbi Netanel Javaski from left to right are Yoni Sonenberg, Yedidya Weber, Aaron Zweibel, Ami Zieleniec and each of the Israeli bar mitzvah boys and Jake Levy. Standing is Ezra Weinroth. David Benbassat, Ethan Fine, Baruch Goldberg, Ethan Kobrin participated in the class but included with each gift-wrapped booklet are not pictured was a personal message of Mazel tov and A presentation was recently made to Mr. Tollinsky and within days, thanks good wishes on their bar mitzvah. to a BAYT member who travelled to Jerusalem just after Shavuot, the gifts were presented to the eighty six (86) Boys Town Jerusalem bar mitzvah boys.

“We feel privileged to be able to be connected in some small way with these exemplary young men who will act as role models for our boys here in Toronto,” added Rabbi Korobkin.

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin (Center) and Jerry Tollinsky (Far right) are seen here with some of the BAYT boys

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September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 3 Just Eighteen Months

Graduate Brings Message to Boys Town Jerusalem – and the World

Just eighteen months – and one terrible war – after he graduated from Miracles happened as Boys Town Jerusalem, IDF Sergeant Oshri Turgeman returned to his well. “We were given alma mater on Yom Hazikaron to pay tribute to his fallen comrades. orders to enter a building Speaking before the student body, he shared details of his combat suspected of being a experiences and the miracles he experienced in the battlefield of last Hamas stronghold. summer’s “Operation Protective Edge.” When we broke through, we found weapons and “At the very moment I came under fire in Gaza, I understood perfectly that signs of preparation for the lessons learned at Boys Town, especially the Torah values and ethics, the kidnapping of Israeli were true lessons for life. In combat against a cruel enemy, we soldiers soldiers. Suddenly, we applied those values in the field. Unlike Hamas, Israel’s army operates noticed a monitor with under strict orders to protect the lives of innocent civilians.” a time-clock ticking backwards from 20 Sergeant Turgeman, 20, studied at Boys Town Jerusalem from seventh seconds. There was no time to detach it or to flee the building. And then it through twelfth grade, where he excelled in Computer Studies. In reached 14 seconds . . . and simply stopped before it could explode. A true November 2013, Turgeman enlisted in the IDF Givati Brigade’s #603 miracle!” Combat Engineering Battalion. When Operation Protective Edge broke out last July, his unit was the first to be sent to Gaza. It was also the last “I have an important message for you,” he told the students. “You may unit to be released nearly one month later. complain about the long day, the intensive studies, and the many demands for excellence that are placed upon you at Boys Town. But these are the “Our mission was primarily to detect and explode the booby-trapped source of the most vital lessons that will prove to be your guide in the tunnels that Hamas had laid throughout the Gaza Strip. Day and night, military and in life. Listen to your rabbis and your teachers, and give them we were exposed to danger. Many of my comrades were injured, and four the appreciation they deserve. They are meticulously preparing you to were killed.” defend the lives of others and to live your own lives to the fullest.”

IDF Soldier – BTJ Grad - Cited for Excellence Matan Malichi is 6th BTJ Grad to be Recognized Israel Air Force Sergeant Matan Malichi, 21, a 2012 graduate For Sgt. Malichi, the award was a tribute to his devotion to duty and his of Boys Town Jerusalem, was among the 120 Israel Defense professionalism in assuming command of his unit when his superior officer was Forces soldiers cited for excellence by President Ruby Rivlin at reassigned to a special mission. Malichi serves in the Air Force Technology and a gala ceremony on Israel’s 67st Independence Day. The award Logistics Branch in a unit geared for training religious recruits to operate the Air was presented to Malichi and his comrades at the President’s Force’s heavy machinery and equipment. From building electrical and mechanical Residence in Jerusalem in the presence of Prime Minister infrastructures to operating armored bulldozers and other engineering and Binyamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi construction missions, these soldiers make a major contribution to Israel’s security. Eisenkot, and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. The Air Force paid “Most important,” Sgt. Malichi notes, “the army makes every effort to enable its own traditional salute to the soldiers in an impressive “fly by” the observant recruits to maintain a religious way of life, attend synagogue, study during the ceremony. Torah and eat strictly kosher food. The third year of their IDF service is devoted to academic or vocational courses for certified civilian professions including electricians,

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4 September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 BTJ Students and Community Service Sharing Tech Knowledge with Senior Neighbours

As with most high school students in North America, Boys Town students are obligated to complete 60 hours of community service while they are enrolled in the school. Students, who themselves face many of life’s challenges, are encouraged to show compassion to others who may have their own challenges. So it is that several students offer computer training to senior citizens living in their neighbourhood.

Like numerous golden agers, they have unlocked many of life’s mysteries. Nevertheless, they are totally baffled by the everyday computer. Thanks to a course taught voluntarily by a team of energetic tenth graders at Boys Town Jerusalem, a group of Jerusalem senior citizens is steadily acquiring a good measure of computer savvy.

“From the start, we asked each participant to fill out a questionnaire on how much they know about computers,” explained Elior Nassi, 16. “They all answered ‘nothing’.” Elior, appointed by his peers to steer the teen teaching Senior citizens Mazal and Avraham Ashkenazi, seen above with team, then set out to devise an overall plan of instruction. “We realized that their teacher Or-el Nahum, do not own a computer but welcomed we had to start by teaching our students how to turn on the computer,” he the opportunity to come to Boys Town to become acquainted with the said very seriously. “But it wasn’t so simple to proceed. Eventually, we opted omnipresent machine. Their teacher, 16-year-old Or-el Nahum, first for private lessons, where each teacher focuses on what his students want inquired about their interests. Avraham has a penchant for vegetables, to learn, which ranges from how to send e-mails to learning ‘Word,’ and so Or-el patiently showed them how to access Wikipedia and enter the more.” Elior is assisted by classmate Noam Buchbut, 16, who is responsible wonderful world of entries on carrots, spinach, chard, and more. “He’s for maintaining contact with the (senior-aged) students. “I call them weekly a genius,” Mazal said, as Or-el helped her type the key words and press to remind them about the next lesson, and they give me questions to pass Enter. on to their teachers,” he reports. “When you do buy a computer,” Or-el cautioned the couple, “it’s important Instructor Zohar Barda, who heads the school’s tenth grade community to install an anti-virus.” “But how?” Avraham asked anxiously. Or-el service program, notes that the volunteering includes packing food began instructing how to download an anti-virus program, but saw their parcels for the poor, visiting hospital patients, joining emergency medical bewilderment. They calmed down the minute their sage teacher advised, teams, assisting at fire stations, and more. “The computer lessons are a “Ask your grandchildren to help!” new endeavor,” he noted. “When the boys first hung posters in nearby neighborhoods announcing the course, we had no idea that the response “They remind me of my own grandparents,” he mused. “From them I am would be so hearty.” learning the art of how to explain.”

technicians, mechanical outstanding student. Malichi, whose family is of engineering equipment operators, Yemenite origin, attended Boys Town for four and more.” years and majored in Electronics and Computers.

Matan himself enlisted in this In presenting the Exemplary Soldier award to unit “because I wanted to serve Malichi and the other prizewinners, President my country and maintain my Ruby Rivlin declared, “The IDF is outstanding religious values.” He soon rose to not because of its force, but because of its spirit.” the rank of sergeant, and made the smooth transition to leading “The ceremony was a very exciting moment in the unit when the situation my life,” Matan admitted. “Now I look forward dictated. Rabbi Elimelech to my last five months of IDF service, where Yaakov, director of Jewish Studies I will continue to lead my unit until someone at Boys Town Jerusalem, noted comes to replace me. It has been a great that Matan Malichi showed strong Sgt Malichi is standing immediately to the left of Prime Minister challenge and a great honour for me to serve.” Benjamin Netanyahu. Mrs. Netanyahu is on the Prime Minister’s right leadership capabilities and was an

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September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 5 Profound Poland Encounter Moves Boys Town Jerusalem Students Thirty-three Boys Town Jerusalem students arrived home from an historic trip to Poland just before this year. In a full school assembly they shared details of their trip and the emotions they felt during the trip.

Although most of the eleventh and twelfth graders were of North African descent, with no direct family connection to the destruction of European Jewry, the Polish journey became a life- changing experience for each of our boys.

The intensive week-long journey took the students to such once-vibrant centers of Jewish life as Kracow and Lublin, as well as directly to the infernos of the Auschwitz Birkenau and Majdanek concentration camps. “I broke down when I stood at the ‘Death Wall’ in Auschwitz where Jews had been executed by firing squads,” said twelfth grader Yigal Ben Yishai. “I felt as if I was being shot.” Daniel Shalom, an eleventh grader of Iraqi origin, and Elia Hartung, a great grandchild of Holocaust survivors, This Year, My Passover Seder Table Will Not be Empty related their experiences with profound thoughts which, By Daniel Shalom, G 11 thankfully, they wrote about. We thought it to be important to share their remarks with our readers. They will enter through the door, each man in his suit and smiling, each woman in her holiday dress and perfume, and we will take our places round the table. And they will be in no hurry to go anywhere, nor will they keep checking how many more pages remain in the till the meal is served. Hunger doesn’t bother them at all. They will go over each word closely and loudly raise their voices together, following too long a time that they had feared to utter a holy word. And together we will sing the Four Questions and speak of the Four Sons. In V’he Sh’amda, when we reach V’ha Kadosh Baruch Hu matzilenu miyodom (“The Holy One saves us from the hand of those who would destroy us”), the guests will be silent and murmur, “Everything is determined on High; everything happens for the best.” When the meal finally arrives, I will ask which dishes I can serve them. They will reply, “Anything but potatoes!” We will all have a good laugh. My Yom Hashoah Experience And then, when Elijah the Prophet will knock at the door and By Elia Hartung, G-11 quench his thirst, they will rise from the table, change out of their holiday apparel and don a kind of tattered and Before we left for the trip to Poland, the teachers told us that we would striped pajamas. “This is no longer our world. We live in its be different people when we returned. At the time I didn’t understand imagination. Have a joyous Holiday of Freedom!” they will what they meant, because I didn’t know what would happen. say, as they join Eliyahu to rise heavenward. When we reached Poland, we had many experiences, happy, sad, and This year, at the Passover Seder, six million guests will moving. I felt what they had felt. sit together with us that we brought from the cold, alienated Polish earth directly to our hearts and When we returned, I still felt an ache in my heart, but I returned to the our table. normal routine. I didn’t feel that I had changed so much at all. And we shall not forget them, and we shall not But today is Yom Hashoah. It is hard for me to describe what is coming forget their stories, and we shall not forget the importance of freedom. over me during these moments, but I want to say that indeed I have changed. I so much want to improve the world, to help. So many things Treat them well, OK? are going through my mind at this minute, and everything from there is Happy Holiday of Freedom! coming back to me in flashbacks. What I saw and experienced in Poland, I will never ever forget – nor those that were there and are no longer…

I shall not ever forget that week.

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6 September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 Dr. Maro Gete Comes Home BTJ Much More than an Alma Mater

Following graduation, Maro rose to the rank of officer in the IDF Golani Infantry Brigade. During one of the deadliest clashes of the 2006 Israel- Lebanese War, Lieutenant Maro Gete assumed command of Battalion 51 in place of his badly-wounded comrade Eshtaol Lubotzky. At the war’s end (and Eshtaol’s miraculous recovery), Maro married Eshtaol’s sister, Shaked. From early morning till late evening, Dr. Maro Gete plays a vital role in the daily drama that unfolds at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Maro’s next battle – and victory – was to pass the stringent admission Center’s Ear Nose and Throat and Head-Neck Surgery Department. requirements to the prestigious Ben Gurion University Medical School in Here the young man, who holds the distinction of being the sole Beer-Sheva, where he recently completed his medical degree and internship. Ethiopian-born medical doctor in Residence in the entire hospital, He now begins his six-year residency at Shaare Zedek Hospital’s well-respected treats patients young and old, mastering his skills in the intricate ENT surgery department. realm of ENT and the innovative surgeries for which Shaare Zedek is acclaimed. “Rounds begin at 7:00 AM, over 80 miles away from my home in Beer-Sheva,” Dr. Gete explains. “By bus, the trip can take hours. Then I thought of my ‘home’ By night, Dr. Gete, 32, returns to his home-away-from-home, the in Boys Town, just over a mile away from Shaare Zedek.” Dean of Students Boys Town Jerusalem dormitory. Rabbi Meir Linchner was delighted to oblige, and provided the illustrious alumni with a room in the same dormitory where he’d lived as a teenager. Home for Maro Gete was originally the Ethiopian town of Gundar, from where he, his parents and four siblings set out on their arduous “My wife and four children will join me after the kids finish school and journey to Israel in 1991. “Life was not easy for us in Israel,” he kindergarten in Beer-Sheva, and then we will move just outside Jerusalem,” the recalls, and at age 13 he began searching for a place to acquire a doctor notes. “For today, Boys Town, which was always my home, is now my good religious and academic education. “Thank goodness I found haven.” Boys Town Jerusalem!” Maro lived and studied at the school until he graduated in 2001 with a major in physics and computers. The Editor’s Note: We had the pleasure of meeting Maro Gete during our first visit to serious, soft-spoken young man credits his Boys Town teachers and Boys Town in 2006 as he was completing his tour of duty in the IDF and waiting for rabbis with giving him the ability to grow into a leader. “They spared his acceptance to medical school. We have followed Dr. Gete’s career and are happy to no effort to help me acculturate and feel at home as a Jew in Israel.” report to you once again.

School Favourite Unanimous Choice for Valedictorian Continued from page 1

“At Boys Town, Shalom-Meir gained the confidence and the wisdom to succeed in life. He will surely make a great contribution to Israel and the Jewish People,” said Rabbi Elimelech Yaakov, proud Director of Jewish Studies, as he listened to his student speak at the 2015 Commencement Ceremony. Rav Elimelech declared, “It has been a joy to be part of the team that molded this extra-special young man.”

“I have had the honour of being close to the best teachers and the best examples to follow,” Shalom-Meir Akbashev declared.

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September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2 7 at Boys Town Jerusalem “Providing Care, Hot Meals and Wholesome Content is Necessary” – Rabbi Yehuda Rosencrantz

While students the world over may count the minutes till the last day of school, Boys Town Jerusalem students look forward to THE DAY AFTER. Less than 24 hours after the close of the school year, the Boys Town campus is transformed into a high-level, dynamic summer camp. Our many disadvantaged boys may only dream of attending a summer camp . . . Luckily, thanks to our donors this important project receives special funding.

“We do not say good-bye to our students when school is out,” says Junior High Principal Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz. “For boys-at-risk, it is crucial to maintain continuity and to carry on providing the care, hot meals, and wholesome content to fill their summer days.”

Day camp at Boys Town Jerusalem is far from typical. The structured at the Water Park!” Rabbi Rosencrantz notes that the most enthusiastic program includes an hour of Jewish studies, a wide range of sports, special praise comes from the parents of the young campers. “Parents call to thank activities on campus from treasure hunts to stilt races, and day trips across me every day for the great experiences their sons are having in camp. They the country, plus three freshly cooked meals daily (usually lacking in many are grateful that the boys are not left to wander the streets. One mother told of the campers’ own homes). Moreover, each week, the boys volunteer in a me, ‘What you are giving my son this summer, is simply invaluable.” produce warehouse to pack food boxes for needy families. “The camp program,” adds Rabbi Rosencrantz, “Is not a luxury. It is a true “Camp has been great,” said eighth grader Avi Cohen. “Especially the day necessity that allows us to retain what we have worked so hard to develop during the school year.”

Boys Town Jerusalem HonourTribute Cards Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem will be pleased to recognize important life cycle events. Send messages of congratulations; Proceeds of the sale of Honour/Tribute Cards benefit the Annual extend best wishes for a special birthday or anniversary; recognize promotions, Scholarship Fund at Boys Town Jerusalem. retirement, get well and special moments in the lives of your family and friends. Send messages of condolences or recognize a yahrzeit. Cards and certificates are Please call 416.789.7241, email [email protected] or order on-line priced starting at $10.00 for which a charitable donation receipt will be issued. at www.btjcanada.com.

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8 September 2015 | Volume 14 | No. 2