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At MTA, the Model United Nations team is more than just learning how to debate, caucus, and cooperate with delegates from other schools to pass resolutions. Each year, MTA takes the opportunity to learn all we can about the UN and its committees and agencies, as well as the country MTA represents. As part of that effort, the team pays a visit to the UN, as well as arranges a briefing with the UN Mission of the country that MTA will be representing in Yeshiva University National Model United Nations (YUNMUN) in February.

Last week, 16 talmidim from the Yeshiva University High School for Boys traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, for four days to provide relief, assistance, and strength to those who have been directly impacted by natural disasters over the past several years.

This past Sunday, December 31, men 40 and above came streaming into 284 Mott Avenue, the home of the newly located Rambam Mesivta.  They came to participate in the Annual Learn-a-Thon, the Rambam learning experience that began in 1992 and has a long-standing history. Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta, jokingly said that the day is Erev 19 Teves and we should remember to say Tachnun at Mincha. On a more serious but personal note, he mentioned it was a nachas day for him as a former individual who sat in front of him as a talmid in 1997 was the day’s guest speaker. He introduced Rabbi Ruben Gober, currently a rebbe at YBT in Far Rockaway, who spoke aptly about hakaras hatov. It soon became clear that Rabbi Friedman referring to Rabbi Gober as a star was about more than being an integral part of the championship team of the past, but rather a clear reference to his Talmudic prowess and powerful presentation.

Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion, YSZ, believes in creating an interconnected and engaging learning environment that seamlessly integrates Judaic and general studies, fostering a rich educational experience. Their approach to education was on full display this Chanukah as tradition was merged with contemporary teaching methods. The younger boys enthusiastically immersed themselves in a playful game of dreidel, introducing an element of real money that made the Chanukah festivities more enjoyable, and enhanced their understanding of financial concepts. Simultaneously, the older boys elevated their dreidel experience by applying mathematical skills and delving into equivalents and fractions.

On the HALB Mission to Israel, Woodmere residents Shira and Ari Hoschander and their family, on behalf of HALB, donated a Sefer Torah to the Bibas family in the merit that we should speedily see the return of Yarden, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, and all the other hostages currently being held in Gaza. The Torah dedication took place at the Bibas home in Nir Oz. “It is hard to accurately describe,” recounts Rabbi Englander, HALB Head of School, “but imagine standing in front of the home where this family was brutally taken, their toys still on the ground, standing next to the Bibas grandfather and members of their extended family, filling in letters of a Sefer Torah, singing Ani Ma’amin, crying, hugging and dancing. The family could not stop telling us how much this meant and what chizuk this gives them.” The Torah dedication continued in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, where the Young Israel of Woodmere mission and hundreds of others joined to sing, dance and pray. The experience was overwhelming, emotional, heartbreaking, and uplifting for everyone who had the opportunity to be part of it, both near and far.

Orot welcomed Shawn Balva on Wednesday, December 6, as a guest speaker. Shawn shared his remarkable journey as a baal t’shuvah during his time in prison. Raised in Las Vegas, Shawn had dreams of pursuing a career as a professional football player. However, like many teenagers, he succumbed to the temptations of drug abuse and violence, leading him down a destructive path.