Celebration of Learning at Yeshivah
Attended by a record number of guests this year, the Annual Mishnayos B’al Peh Awards Dinner took place at Yeshivah College in August. Parents, students and teachers filled the Werdiger Hall and were delighted to participate in an event that recognises the achievements of students who have taken great efforts to learn Mishnayos B’al Peh (by heart).
Held in memory of Yeshivah student Nathan Dzienciol a’h who had an exceptional dedication to learning Mishna and who tragically passed away in 1990 when he was in year 3, this invaluable learning program (now in its 28th year) continues to grow and flourish – with record breaking participation rates and learning achievements being celebrated this year. Over 400 students have actively participated in the optional program this year and have, incredibly, memorised in excess of 300,000 lines of Torah!
Students are tested on their learning throughout the year, with accumulated points ultimately being redeemed for prizes ranging from Tehillim, Chumashim, Talmuds and Mishnas. These awards and prizes were presented at the awards evening, along with students demonstrating their skill reciting Mishnayos and Tanya by heart. As a special tribute to Nathan a’h, students recited seven special Mishnas - each beginning with one of the letters of his name.
An address from Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Principal, Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler commended the students for their fantastic achievements and outlined that “when it comes to aspects of holiness we must always continuously increase and raise our standard”, encouraging students to strive to reach even greater learning heights. Additionally, Rabbi Gordon, one of the program coordinators, expressed his pride in the students’ outstanding achievements and commented that this evening “gives us the opportunity to honour a ‘zokein’ – one who has acquired wisdom and now has Torah engraved in their memory.”
YBR extends gratitude to the generous sponsors who contributed towards the program, awards night and prizes - including classmates of Nathan a’h who donated in his memory. Kol hakavod to all students on their exceptional learning achievements.