Rambam back in Israel

For the past 20 years, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rambam’s rosh mesivta, has made it a point to spend a special shabbos with Rambam alumni learning in Eretz Yisroel.

This year’s program was hosted by Yeshivas Migdal HaTorah in Modiin, just two days after President Trump proclaimed American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, confirming a long-held Jewish reality. Although security was especially tight in and around Yerushalayim, virtually all the talmidim came from near and far to join.

Shabbos was ushered in with a beautiful tefila and sumptuous seuda replete with divrei Torah.

Rabbi Friedman provided an update on the latest goings on at Rambam. The alumni cheered when they heard of their alma mater’s latest attempts to rid the U.S. of the Nazi living in Queens. They recounted their own experiences when just last year they rallied outside his house in Jackson Heights chanting, “Your hands are drenched in blood” and “Just get out.”

A tisch with followed a meal. After Shacharis and kiddush, the boys were treated to a shiur from Rabbi Ginsburg, Migdal’s co-rosh yeshiva. Lunch, zemiros and divrei Torah by talmidim set the tone for the afternoon.

The kesher that talmidim form with their Rambam rebbeim begins in high school continues in Eretz Yisroel and eventuates in so many engagements, weddings and life cycle events having Rambam rebbeim at the side of their talmidim.