The Darchei Dinner 2019

CHERISHED GIFT

A few months ago, I took my son Dovi to an avos ubanim program at which Harav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, shlita, would be speaking to the boys. A few weeks later, in yeshiva, Rabbi Hildeshaim, who had not been at the program that night, presented Dovi with a gift-wrapped object. Inside was a framed picture of the two of us with the Rosh Yeshiva. It turned out that the professional photographer who had taken pictures at the program just happens to be a brother-in-law of Rabbi Hildeshaim’s. As the Rebbi was flipping through some of the photos, he saw this one, and decided to do something “above and beyond” for his talmid. Dovi cherishes this picture.

That's a Darchei Rebbi.

OUT OF SIGHT, NEVER OUT OF MIND

A few weeks into the current school year, we received a call from Rabbi Weiss, who wanted to see how our son was doing in the 6th grade. What is amazing about this story is that Rabbi Weiss was our son’s Rebbi - not last year but two years ago - and yet our son’s well-being was still on his mind.

That level of dedication is unparalleled and we are truly grateful for the wonderful Rebbeim our sons have been fortunate to have at Darchei over the years.

That's a Darchei Rebbi.

What is amazing about this story is that Rabbi Weiss was our son’s Rebbi - not last year but two years ago.

NOBODY LEFT BEHIND

Here’s a little snapshot that truly depicts the chinuch of a Darchei Talmid: A few weeks ago at an aufruf in our shul, after the pekelach were thrown, all the boys were “tumelling” about something, and they weren’t leaving the area behind the bimah. I was curious so I listened in... They were saying to each other, “Did you get one?” “Did you get one?” “Nobody should open their pekalach until we make sure everyone has one!!” Then one kid said, “I think that boy didn’t get one yet!” At that moment, they all trooped over to the boy and gave him a Pekel. “Now does everyone have one?” “Yes!!!” They all chimed. “Ok, now we can open them up and eat them!”

Talk about the Darchei Way!!

That’s a Darchei Talmid.

A TOUCHDOWN FOR MOSHE

There is a famous story that took place many years ago in Darchei. It has been written about in books and articles as well. The story is called “Run Shaya Run”. It’s about a special-needs child and how the boys helped him hit a home run on a Sunday when he would come to Darchei.

I witnessed a similar story many years after that story took place. I was dorming in the 1717 residence hall at that time. To get from the Mesivta building to 1717, you had to walk past the ball fields and then between the pool and annex building. One day, as I passed by the fields, I witnessed something amazing. Until today I don’t know if this was an everyday occurrence or if I just happened to walk by when it happened. A group of boys, no older than 4th grade, were playing football. One of the best kids playing who was also quite popular was Yossi. There was another boy in the class, we’ll call him Moshe, who lacked basic skills in many areas, socially and especially physically. He would probably have been labeled ‘special’ or ‘different’ or ‘on the spectrum’. He had no idea how to play ball.

As I passed the field, I saw Yossi give Moshe the football. Moshe had no clue what to do and just stood there. Yossi said: “Moshe, run!” First, Moshe stood still, and then started running the wrong way. Yossi turned him the right way and started running with him directing him towards the end zone. Some of the boys looked like they were trying to tag him. But the whole time, Yossi ran alongside Moshe shouting “Run, Moshe, Run!” and blocking the other boys from tagging Moshe. I don’t know if Yossi did this on his own, or it was planned and the others were playing along pretending to try to tag Moshe. As he crossed into the end zone. Yossi and some of the other boys started shouting “Touchdown!” Moshe, with the biggest smile plastered across his face, raised the football high above his head and in his own special way danced in celebration in the end zone, on the touchdown he scored.

Only in Darchei!!!!

That's a Darchei Talmid.

TOO BIG, JUST RIGHT

I have a wonderful story that truly shows how unique the Yeshiva Darchei Torah rebbeim are. It was a freezing winter day in Yeshiva.

My son's Rebbi took the boys out for a little recess to get fresh air. My son, Binyamin, was in 3rd grade at the time. They were playing football and, of course, he removed his coat, so that he could play better. After recess, he could not find his coat anywhere. He looked all over the field, checked his classroom, checked lost and found, and even went to Rabbi Morgenstern’s office to see if someone found it and brought it there. Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found.

Rabbi Morgenstern, without thinking twice, took his coat off and gave it to Binyamin, so that he could go home and on the bus staying warm. When Binyamin walked in the house wearing an adult coat, I was so confused. Binyamin told me the whole story.

My husband and I looked at each other and said: "This is why we send our boys to Yeshiva Darchei Torah!" We were so touched that a menahel, Rabbi Morgenstern, would - without hesitating - take the coat off of his back for one of the talmidim. Incredible!!

That’s a Darchei Menahel.

YOU'RE AWESOME!

Rabbi Medetsky's incredible caring and attention toward my son changed his life forever. Even when the school year ended, Rebbi looked out for the boys in summer camp. He would prepare special treats the night before a camp overnight and bring it to my son - knowing he needed that extra “boost” of encouragement. Most notably, his trademark powerful two words - the ever effusive: "You're awesome!" built up my son’s self esteem in an immeasurable way.

That’s a Darchei Rebbi.

FENDER BENDER

Dear Rabbi Bender,
When I had just gotten my license, I was turning on the block near Shaaray and hit the rear bumper of a parked vehicle. I got out of the car and was really nervous...there were lots of people around and I was embarrassed. Suddenly you walked over to the car. It was your car. How mortifying! But instead of being upset, you waved your hand casually and said, “It happens to everybody when they just get their license,” and you sent me on my way. It was probably a couple hundred dollars in damage and most people wouldn’t have been so nice about it. You wanted to make sure a young, vulnerable, new driver was given a second chance with no strings attached - and for this kindness I will forever be appreciative of the midda of vatranus and also be empowered with confidence and caution as a safe driver!

That’s the Darchei Chinuch.

A TALMID BECOMES A REBBI

Rabbi Soroka felt that Chaim, a boy that he learns with, would benefit greatly if he delivered a shiur in the Gemara they had learned together. Rabbi Soroka attends a 6:00 AM daf yomi shiur in Bais Medrash Ateres Yisroel and with the permission of the maggid shiur there, as well as the attendees, he invited Chaim to give shiur this morning.

Chaim came with his father and before the shiur started, his grandfather AND his rebbi Rabbi Halbertal also walked in. An entire gathering assembled especially for him at 6 in the morning! Chaim gave over the daf like a rock star. He was clear and confident and he knew the Gemara cold. His father was beaming, his rebbi was beaming and his grandfather was close to tears. What an unbelievable thing for Rabbi Soroka to arrange and how incredible for Chaim‘s rebbi to recognize the potential and come so early to support him. I was truly honored to have witnessed such a tremendous display of love and caring.

That's a Darchei Rebbi.

SEASONS OF KINDNESS

Today I took my students to Seasons Express for a special outing to reward their excellent behavior. Upon the class's arrival at the store, an Israeli non-religious looking man approached me and asked why the class deserved such a treat in the middle of the day. I told him the reason, and he was so impressed with how well behaved the boys were. He said: "Please allow me to be a part of such growth in character development. I’d like to sponsor slurpees for the entire class."

At first, I refused to take the money, but the man insisted, saying that he doesn't get to do any mitzvos on a regular basis, so the least he can do is to partake in the class's growth by sponsoring their slurpees. I was touched by this man’s act of kindness, and even more touched by the class's behavior. The boys thanked the man profusely and made a true Kiddush Hashem. I am proud beyond words and I feel privileged to be the Rebbi of these chashuva talmidim.

That’s a Darchei Talmid.

IT WAS NOTHING

I recently reminded Rabbi Ament, our son Yitzchok’s first grade Rebbi, of the time more than ten years ago that he did something so meaningful for his talmid. I will never forget that evening. Yitzchok was home sick with the flu. He was miserable and lonely and bored. All of a sudden, Rabbi Ament appeared at our doorstep, his arms filled with beautiful refuah shleima cards from all of Yitzchok’s classmates. Rebbi sat with Yitzchok, spoke to him, showed him all the cards, and told him what he had missed. Most of all, he made Yitzchok feel important and valued and special. It was a real treat for the whole family to witness this chessed.

Rabbi Ament went that extra mile on his own time when I am certain he had many other things to accomplish. He is a very humble man, and when I reminded him of this event, he downplayed it, not remembering it, as if it was not exceptional.

That's a Darchei Rebbi.

EREV SUCCOS VISIT

This story goes back about 20 years, and yet the impact is felt in our family until today. Way back when my now grown son was in the beginning of 3rd grade, he was going through a rough time . He had been absent for a week or so, and just couldn’t bring himself to get back into the groove of going to school. We were getting quite nervous about how the rest of the year - and his future - would play out.

One day, on or around erev succos, there was a knock on my door. Rabbi Polter was there to visit Dovid - he had come all the way out to where we lived, more than seven miles away, to bring him his booklet for yom tov!! His devoted Rebbi knew he’d missed out on a lot of material but wanted him to have the booklet to feel accomplished over yom tov and be involved. I have never forgotten that very special visit, and neither has my son Dovid. Rabbi Polter, in typical Darchei Torah fashion, and in his kind and gentle way, conveyed to Dovid a special brand of warmth and caring. Following that visit, Dovid went nicely to school for the rest of the year…

That's a Darchei Rebbi.

Rabbi Polter, in typical Darchei Torah fashion, and in his kind and gentle way, conveyed to Dovid a special brand of warmth and caring.

Sweet Sincerity

Written by a Darchei Rebbi
I wanted to share this simple yet remarkable story that showed me just how sincere a Darchei student can be. It was the middle of the school day, and I was walking down the hallway. I often carry candy in my pocket in yeshiva (you never know when it can come in handy). I passed by a wonderful boy I know and offered him some of the candy, but he politely declined. When I pressed him for a reason, he explained that his rebbi had spoken to the class several weeks before about how we all must be mekabel something on ourselves to be nosei b’ol because of the difficult matzav in Eretz Yisroel.

Apparently, this young talmid heard the rebbi’s words, and immediately took upon himself not to eat any candy until the situation improved. It had been two or three weeks already: remarkable!

To me, this highlights the profound caring and nesius ol cultivated in our talmidim at Yeshiva Darchei Torah.

That’s a Darchei Talmid.