Madison Title and Business Halacha Successful Arachim Seminar in Ontario Institute Promote Ribbis Awareness At the Delta Hotel in Guelph, Ontario, The second English-language speaker approximately an hour west of Toronto, ap- was Rabbi David Ordman, who was raised in the Real Estate Industry proximately 350 men, women and children in England and presently lives in Bnei were touched by the wisdom and beauty Brak. Rabbi Ordman learned in Gateshead By Zevi Ezrachi of Madison and author of “The Laws of Rib- bis,” an authoritative contemporary sefer on of Torah learning and living at an Arachim and later under Rav Michel Feinstein. Like Madison Title Agency once again part- ribbis, then addressed the attentive audience. seminar over the Lag Ba’omer weekend. The Rabbi Silver, Rabbi Ordman has been with nered with The Business Halacha Institute He demonstrated clearly how ribbis presents Arachim event ran from Friday afternoon Arachim for over twenty years. to address the topic of “Hilchos Ribbis as a complicated set of halachos throughout through Monday afternoon. The speeches in the Hebrew-speaking it Pertains to Real Estate Mortgages.” Last the world of business. He detailed common The seminar was organized by two local track, running simultaneously, were given by month’s Lakewood shiur surpassed all ex- cases, including parents/in-laws buying Toronto rabbonim, Rav Tsadok Pereira, rov pectations, and organizers were anxious to homes for children and the children making of Ahavat Shalom Congregation, and Rav repeat this success in the New York area. the mortgage payments, cosigning on a loan, Yaakov Malayev of Shaarei Zion and rov of On Wednesday evening, 28 Iyar/June 1, Rav guaranteeing a loan and borrowing credit the Bucharian community. Yisroel Reisman delivered his hilchos ribbis cards. Because it is almost inevitable that one Arachim Canada is headed by Danny shiur to mortgage brokers and attorneys in will encounter a ribbis application or one of Bitton under the leadership of Rav Avraham the Brooklyn area. its multi-faceted ramifications in one’s deal- Kahn. Following a full day of work, over fifty ings, it is imperative to seek guidance from a Arachim seminars have proven to be suc- businessmen expressed their cheishek to rov or posek with expertise in hilchos ribbis cessful kiruv tools, igniting the flame of To- grow in matters of Torah and halacha by whenever a question arises. rah in secular Jews who were never before gathering at Glatt a la Carte. Proprietor Mr. Another primary focus of the shiur was exposed to Yiddishkeit. Bunim Naiman graciously provided the ex- heter iska. Rav Reisman clarified how a Arachim was founded over twenty years pansive venue and menu. heter iska works and discussed the halachic ago by Tzvi Inbal and Dr. Shalom Serebre- (L-R) Rabbi Tsadok Pereira, Rabbi Mr. Moshe Becker, director of opera- necessity for the parties involved to fully un- nik, two scientists who felt that the time had Yehuda Silver, Rabbi Aharon Levy, tions for Madison SPECS, served as mas- derstand its parameters, rather than simply come to introduce a rational, intellectual ap- Rabbi David Shitrit, Rabbi David ter of ceremonies. He impressed upon the regarding it as a magical amulet. proach to understanding that Hashem gave Ordman and Rabbi Yaakov Malayov. crowd the immense responsibility they share The evening concluded with a lively the Torah and to its veracity and accuracy as service providers to be knowledgeable in question-and-answer session. Rabbi Eliezer throughout the ages. Rabbi David Shitrit and Rabbi Aharon Levy. the area of ribbis and be able to broker deals Gewirtzman distributed a detailed handout One of the English-speaking lecturers These speakers presented a series of lucid al pi halacha. He was happy to share an ac- about some of the issues that were discussed. was Rav Yehudah Silver, originally from and talks to convey the concept that Torah tive take-away from the Lakewood lecture: A Due to the positive reaction from the Chicago and presently living in Eretz Yis- is Divine and that the way of life it fosters mortgage broker was so motivated by what Lakewood and Brooklyn lectures, plans are roel, who is a talmid of Rav Yitzchok Hut- provides great meaning and pleasure to its he learned that he revisited all of his recent currently underway to bring the hilchos rib- ner zt”l and Rav Elya Lopian zt”l. When adherents. deals to implement the heter iska model. He bis shiur to neighboring locales, specifically Arachim was in its infancy, he was asked Parents were able to listen to the speeches encouraged those in attendance to similarly Manhattan, Monsey and the Five Towns. by Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l, for whom he with peace of mind, as their children were su- positively impact their daily business trans- For more information about these up- was working at Aish Hatorah at the time, to pervised and entertained by twenty local Bais actions. coming events, email asteinberg@madison- look into it. He intended to stay for a few Yaakov high school students and alumni. Rav Yisroel Reisman, rosh yeshiva of Ye- cres.com. To submit a shailah, email ask@ lectures, but he was so mesmerized that he The four-day retreat ended with a sym- shiva Torah Vodaas, rov of Agudas Yisroel businesshalacha.com. remained until 2 a.m. As a result of his visit, posium at which the participants made emo- he adapted the Arachim material for English- tional statements about how they had been speaking audiences, providing the program impacted by the Arachim experience and for the famous “Discovery” seminars run by how they are seeking to change their lives in Bais Yaakov High School Class Marks 50 Years Aish Hatorah. small steps that allow them to be consistent. words, which described their life experiences, By Chanie Neiman and Esther Gewirtzman green tablecloths, topped with floral center- that our husbands and children learn, the mitz- pieces. We were greeted warmly at the door vos and the chassodim we do, she said, will enthralled and captivated the audience. Bais Yaakov High School alumni, the with smiles, cheers and gifts. The food was revert to the teachers. Thus, they will be able Dina (Thumim) Spira and Devora (Weiss) class of 1961, experienced a “once in a yovel” great and the ambience was upbeat, thanks to to face the Ribono Shel Olam, achar meah Kitevitz entertained us as well, as they strolled event. It was our 50th year alumni reunion. It’s Sara (Kastner) Halpert and Devora (Edelman) ve’esrim shanah, with these zechuyos. down “memory lane,” recalling color war, as- not as if we hadn’t seen each other. We had Marcus. In addition, some of our unforgettable semblies, trips and more. It brought smiles, a ten-year reunion, a fifteen-year reunion and For some time, we all dreamed of this mechanchim and mechanchos were recalled. laughter and applause. The devar Torah was some mini reunions over the years. We even reunion. Our dreams were turned into real- Our dynamic rabbonim, Rav Hellman, Rav enlightening and inspiring. have a group that meets monthly in Monsey. ity. The fantastic committee, which was led Gabioff, Rav Rottenberg, Rav Shurin, Rav The reunion, the 50th year alumni celebra- However, this event was extra special and kept by Chanie (Yanofsky) Neiman and Esther Godlevsky and others, and our outstanding tion, was a remarkable event. While we sang us on a “high” for weeks. (Hisiger) Gewirtzman, worked a year and a moros, the talmidos of Sara Shneirer a”h, and joined hands to dance, “Vetaheir libeinu At this reunion, we tried to recognize each half to organize the event. Toby (Goldwurm) instilled in us everlasting values. Rebbetzin le’avdecha be’emes,” we felt the overwhelm- other after such a long time. We recognized Klang tracked down the addresses and sent Vichna Kaplan a”h, who stood at the helm, ing emotions of joy and elation. We were full many of the friendly faces, but with some, out invitations and reminders. Shelley (Leiter) guided us gently with her warmth and words of ahavah and achvah, as we all shared the we needed prompting to name the face. Many Topp put together the beautiful journal. Eva of wisdom. feelings of achdus, ke’ish echad beleiv echad. came from out of town, including Florida, (Weisel) Melamed was in charge of the book- A panel, headed by Sterna (Greenberg) We hope to join together at our next reunion, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey. Some keeping. Shifra (Lichtman) Adler and Leah Lerman, spoke about how Bais Yaakov im- under the rule of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, in came from as far away as Israel and England. (Dermer) Ackerman led the telephone squad. pacted their lives. Their heartfelt and moving Yerushalayim, bimeheirah. Two-thirds of the grade was present. Others After many hours of meetings and telephone were represented by their letters and entries calls, we reaped the fruits of our labor with into the journal that was printed for this occa- an inspiring program. Our Mistress of Cer- sion. The class of ’61, a cohesive group of so- emonies was none other than our classmate, Shuvu Tribute in Congress ciable ladies, gathered together to reminisce, Miryam (Butman) Swerdlov, the well-known Congressmen will being paying tribute to resentatives which helped refugees, particu- to reconnect and to express hakoras hatov to teacher and speaker. She kept us in stitches Shuvu on Thursday, June 23rd, in the United larly minorities and Jews, to immigrate from the school that molded ideals and influenced with her humorous memories, interspersed States Capitol. The event will feature lead- the Soviet Bloc to Israel.