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Oholei Torah Mechina Celebrates Graduation with Triple Siyum

The ballroom was filled to capacity as talmidim, parents, grandparents, family members, and staff gathered to celebrate the graduation of over 120 talmidim in Oholei Torah’s Mechina Class of 5786 • Read More, Photos

The ballroom was filled to capacity as talmidim, parents, grandparents, family members, and staff gathered to celebrate the graduation of over 120 talmidim in Oholei Torah’s Mechina Class of 5786.

The event opened with words of welcome from Menahel Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Wilhelm, who noted the special timing of the event, taking place immediately after Chof Ches Sivan, the day the Rebbe and Rebbetzin arrived in America. Rabbi Wilhelm reflected on the tremendous zechus the talmidim have to learn in the Rebbe’s moissed, especially during Oholei Torah’s historic Shivim Shana, marking seventy years since the founding of the yeshiva.

Rabbi Mendel Blau, Roish Moissed, shared a powerful letter from the Rebbe addressed to Oholei Torah on the occasion of a Chagigas HaSiyum in 1991, connecting the celebration to the yeshiva’s enduring mission of Torah, Yiras Shamayim, and Chassidishe Chinuch.

A highlight of the event was a remarkable triple Siyum reflecting the extraordinary accomplishments of the graduating class. Talmidim completed Maseches Makkos in Iyun and Maseches Megillah in Girsa as part of the regular Yeshiva curriculum. In addition, many Talmidim undertook the challenge of learning Maseches Sotah between Pesach and Shavuos through a special shiur program.

The siyumim were made by:

Nosson Morozov on Maseches Makkos
Mendel Rubin on Maseches Megillah
Zalman Lein on Maseches Sotah

Representing the parents, Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig addressed the Talmidim and their families. He spoke about the extraordinary care invested in each Talmid through the thousands of interactions between staff and students throughout the year. He highlighted the tremendous amount of learning taking place both inside and outside the classroom, as well as the many extracurricular programs and opportunities that contribute to the growth, development, and success of every Talmid.

Talmid Yisroel Dovid Bentzion led the recital of the Rebbe’s Kapitel, followed by a Dvar Torah delivered by Talmid Yitzchak Bendet.

A particularly moving moment took place when Kaddish was recited l’iluy nishmas Menachem Yehoshua ben יבלח”ט R’ Chaim Dovber Kaminker ע”ה, Shua Kaminker, an Oholei Torah talmid who passed away six years ago and whose yahrtzeit falls on ל’ סיון. Shua would have been a member of this year’s graduating Mechina class.

The audience was then treated to a special video presentation featuring each Talmid sharing reflections on his yeshiva year and expressing appreciation to the Rebbeim and staff who guided him throughout his years in Oholei Torah.

One of the most meaningful parts was the presentation of diplomas. Every Talmid was called up individually, with special remarks highlighting his unique strengths, accomplishments, and contributions. Each Talmid then received his graduation certificate before family and friends.

In his concluding remarks, Rabbi Wilhelm expressed heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated Mechanchim of the whole Cheder and Mechina divisions whose tireless efforts shape the lives of the Talmidim every day. He emphasized that the secret of Mechina’s success is its exceptional staff. He then added that there is a second secret as well: the wives of the Mechanchim, whose support, sacrifice, and partnership make their husbands’ devotion to the Talmidim possible.

The event concluded with Brachos for the Talmidim, their families, and the entire staff, together with a heartfelt tefillah that the Rebbe’s brachos continue to accompany every Talmid as they advance in their Torah journey, and that we merit the coming of Moshiach now.

Photos by: Yossi Fajnland