Photo Credit: Shlomo Rotberg/Creative 1080

The sentiments of the evening, the sharing and passing on the Torah though intergenerational learning, were eloquently captured by a moving opening message delivered by Rabbi Yechiel Spero. He shared a touching personal story about his first childhood interactions with Mishanyos, reading a Meseches Shabbos in bed and falling asleep with it under his pillow before he was able to understand the meaning of the Mishnayos. He encouraged the boys to cherish their ability to learn with their parents and grandparents as previous generations as this opportunity was not as commonplace for previous generations and to “never stop” and continue to reach of greatness in learning and Avodas Hashem.

The learning of the Mishnayos, which had been carefully allotted to the 3rd through 8th grade talmidim of the cheder, started following the Divrei Chizuk. As the boys with their fathers and grandfathers were learning Mishnayos k’ish echad b’lev echad, a special program was held concurrently for the mothers and grandmothers, featuring, Rabbi Spero.

Rabbi Spero inspired the women by highlighting their special role as the “cornerstone” of their children’s chinuch. He explained how a mother’s dreams and desires for their children to achieve greatness to Torah shapes their personalities and development.

Rabbi Shimon Hirsch, Menahel of Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore, then rose to learn the final Mishnah in Maseches Uktzin and recite the Hadran and Kaddish. The Hanhalah  Rebbeim and parent body of the school dedicated the Siyum L’eiluy Nishmas Rabbi Hirsch’s parents, who were niftar this past year. Rabbi Hirsch, standing in front of and on behalf of the entire school being Mikadesh Shem Hashem B’Rabbim for the Zechus of his parents was a profoundly moving and meaningful moment which embodied the “neshamah” of the event.

Leibidig and heartfelt dancing followed the siyum, enhanced by music and singing from Rabbi Baruch Levine and Shlomo Simcha.  Rabbi Levine, who has become synonymous with this event, commented, on the chizuk he receives in attending and on the ruach and impressive mentchlichkeit of the boys.

After the first round of dancing, Dr. Dani Sova, a parent at the cheder and originator of the Siyum HaDoros concept, addressed the crowd. He thanked the Hanhalah, Rebbeim, teachers and Moros and gave chizuk to the boys.

Following an elegant seudah, Harav Pinchos Gross, Rav of Kehillas Derech Chaim and member of cheder’s Vaad HaRabbanim, started Shas anew by learning the first Mishnah in Maseches Brachos. Rabbi Gross’s comments focused on the kedusha being generated in Torah Institute, and the nachas the learning of the boys brings to the Ribbono Shel Olam and the love that each Rebbi has for all of his talmidim.

As the talmidim gathered on chairs in front of the bandstand, a hartziga kumzitz began. Hearing the sweet voices of the children singing brought out an uplifting emotional feeling throughout the hall. The second dance could have continued throughout the night as Rebbeim, talmidim and parents bonded together with great simcha.

Many participants were overwhelmed by the exalted and meaningful atmosphere, the ahavas and simchas haTorah, and nachas that the event generated. One participant summarized their experience, stating, “A beautiful, meaningful, and inspirational evening. We are so proud our boys go to such a wonderful Cheder.” Another remarked, “The Siyum HaDoros was beyond amazing—everything about it. Words do not properly capture such emotions and raw feelings.” And, perhaps most importantly, an incredible, positive, good energy event, but above all else, it gave kavod to the people who really deserve it; the hanhalah and rebbeim of the Cheder.”

Originally named Shearis Hapleita, Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok was founded in 1952 by Harav Yitzchok Sternhell, zt’l, and a group of Holocaust survivors, determined to transplant, rebuild, and restore, what was lost in the European Destruction. This magnificent event was a full circle, connecting the sound of the children's voices in Torah learning, to the one and a half million pure little souls looking down from Shamayim.