Rambam Mesivta was honored to welcome Rav Hershel Schachter, a Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University for over 40 years. Rav Schachter was invited at the behest of Rabbi Yosef Ziskind, to test the Talmidim of the Mesivta’s Advanced Beis Medrash Shiur on the Sugyos they had studied b’Iyun over the course of the year.

Students, dressed in formal suits and ties in recognition of the Rav’s eminence, greeted him as he arrived at the school. The Talmidim then presented complex Sugyos in the third Perek of Maseches Succah, delving into diverse topics such as the definition of Hadar with respect to Daled Minim, the mechanics of Mitzva Haba B’Aveira, and the nature of Karka (unmovable properties) in Halacha, as well as many others. Rav Schachter asked penetrating questions as the boys explicated their Sugyos. The Talmidim artfully answered and parried Rav Schacter’s kushyos, sometimes even asking him their own questions on the sugyos. The Rosh Yeshiva was glad to offer his own practical Halachic insights into the boys’ words. After the presentations ended, Rav Schachter evaluated each Talmid’s performance and noted to Rabbi Ziskind that he was favorably impressed by depth of the sugyos as well as their adherence to the rigorous Brisker Derech HaLimmud.

Following Rav Schachter’s private meeting with Rabbi Ziskind’s shiur, the entire school was rewarded with hearing the Rav discourse on a host of topics. He began his address by thanking Rabbi Ziskind for allowing him to hear the words of Torah from his talmidim.

Preceding the Rav’s arrival, every talmid was afforded the opportunity to submit a question to Rabbi Ziskind to ask on his behalf. Rav Schachter is considered one of the most erudite and foremost poskim in America and it was truly thrilling to hear the Rav respond to the questions of the Rambam students.

In response to numerous questions, Rav Schachter discussed his unique psakim with regard to wearing techeiles and not drinking milk.

It was truly an honor to have Rav Schachter come to Rambam Mesivta. To see his depth and breadth of knowledge, and the care at which he considers his thoughts and answers is to be in the presence of a scholar that transcends traditional learning. There is no doubt that the experience of learning from, and learning with Rav Schachter will be something that remains with each talmid forever.

Clowns, cotton candy, snow-cone makers, radio controlled airplanes, parachutes, barbequed hot dogs and burgers, not to mention laughing toddlers and mini-golf, is not the type of the scene you’d expect at a high school. The scene described above, however, was not a carnival or state fair, rather it was Rambam Mesivta’s Lag B’Omer 5K & Family Day.

The 5K connected current students, alumni, grandparents, moms, dads, rebbeim, teachers, and children of all ages. The administration at Rambam Mesivta recognizes that they are entrusted with the educational and moral development of the leaders of tomorrow. Assistant Principal Hillel Goldman, one of the designers of this event, shared that “It was our hope that the boys’ entire families would come to the 5K, enjoy themselves, and recognize that education and growth of character are a function of the home and the school. To have a talmid see Rambam Mesivta as a home away from home can only be truly accomplished if we welcome, not only the talmid, but his mishpachah, into the school.”

The 5K Run, the brainchild of Rabbi Yamin Levy, was conducted in an effort to raise money for scholarships. “A 5K is all-inclusive,” he explained, “mothers, fathers, and siblings can run alongside their boys and share in what turned out to be a beautiful day.” Participants in the run received Rambam t-shirts and ran the 3.1 miles through scenic back-Lawrence. Director of Operations of Rambam Mesivta, Mr. Judah Rhine, was the point man with the Village of Lawrence and the auxiliary police and was instrumental in the coordination and success of the event.

Over 150 members of the Rambam Family ran the 5K. Rosh Mesivta Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman and his wife walked/ran alongside parents, talmidim, and even children in strollers. There was a great deal of speculation about who would win the coveted 5K trophies. Serious runners eagerly lined up to secure a front-line placement. After only 19 minutes and 10 seconds, Hillel Gross, Rambam Class of 2009, crossed the finish line to win 1st Place Runner Adult Division. He was quickly followed by Runner Up Adult Winner, Reb Noam Horowitz, Rambam Class of 2004, who finished after an impressive 21 minutes 46 seconds. In the Student Division, freshman Aaron Koppel emerged victorious at 19 minutes and 22 seconds, edging out Runner Up Didi Levy, a junior, by a mere 36 seconds! In keeping with the Family aspect of the day, a Fastest Kid Trophy was awarded to Eliyahu Levy who finished the race in 32 minutes and 29 seconds, and was the first child not (yet) enrolled in Rambam to complete the 5K. Senior Evan Linder diligently recorded the racing results while Jon Beer, a junior, snapped individual photos of each participant crossing the finish line.

While the race was in progress, students at Rambam were hard at work at some serious fun. Juniors Eli Szpigiel and Eitan Shapiro dressed up as clowns and entertained around 25 toddlers with their hilarious antics and juggling feats. Jared Ehrenreich and Yair Lichtman, a junior and sophomore respectively, served up fresh cotton candy and snow cones to the eager audience.

As if putting up a website for the 5K wasn’t enough, Rabbi Zali Ritholtz, Rambam’s Director of Technology, was hard at work during the 5K racing radio controlled airplanes and assisting in the logistics of feeding close to 200 people fresh barbecued beef burgers and hot dogs. Special recognition must also be given to Mrs. Devorah Elkouby, mother of freshman Josh Elkouby, Mrs. Renee Friedman, Mr. Saul Marcus, father of junior Joseph, and Mr. Arthur Klein, father of junior Noah Klein. It was an inspiring thing for students and educators alike to see these dedicated parents and individuals cook for and serve the rest of the Rambam Community.

Rabbi Friedman summed up the day best when he said, “It really was a great event with such a sense of achdus and such a warm feeling to have all of the Rambam Family together. Often in life people find themselves running from something. This was a special day because everyone was running for something. And ultimately, everyone was running toward the Mesivta...toward home.”

Rambam Seniors, Nathan Akhavan and Benjamin Goldman, competing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), earned a 1st Place Award in the Air Force Research Laboratory category, bestowed on behalf of the United States Air Force. They also received the Third Place Award of $1,000 in the energy and transportation category.

Intel ISEF, a program of Society for Science & the Public, the world's largest international pre-college science competition, is in Los Angeles from May 8-13 in the Los Angeles Convention Center (right next to Staples Center).

The premier global science competition for students in grades 9–12 provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from 65 countries, regions, and territories to display their independent research.

Established in 1947, the United States Air Force’s mission is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interest -- to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace. The USAF is the largest and most technologically advanced force in the world. Characterized by science and technology, the Air Force is totally committed to rewarding science projects that exhibit these high standards.

Nathan and Benjamin’s research centered on manufacturing an Improved Polymer Photovoltaic Cell Using Graphene and Graphene in order to improve their current low efficiency. The results showed that solar cells made with Graphene Oxide improved voltage production by 26%.

Nathan and Benjamin made a point of not only displaying the academic excellence characteristic of Rambam Mesivta, but also displayed the midos tovos that are the school’s true hallmark. After receiving their awards, an audience member shook Benjamin’s hand and said, “It was inspiring to see someone wearing a kippah up there on that stage.”

Nathan feels that his project has allowed him to “Recognize the beauty in Chachmas Hashem. The more I learn about science and the way the world functions, the more I appreciate the Hand of G-d and recognize His majesty.” Nathan plans on spending a year in Israel learning Torah at Sha’alvim and Benjamin plans on learning in Gush next year.

This past Wednesday, the students of Rambam had a choice between going to a New York Yankees game or going paintballing for an unbelievable Lag b' Omer day trip. It was a beautiful 80 degrees, and both trips were a resounding success. The boys who went to the Yankee game were treated to a 7-3 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the boys who went paintballing had an amazing time as well at the renowned Cousins Paintball. A great time was had by all, and these trips won't soon be forgotten in the annals of Rambam history.

Josh Kurman (11th Grade)