On Thursday night, the Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) talmidim convened in Yeshiva University’s Furst Hall for its annual Seudat Preidah, celebrating the conclusion of a year of incredible Torah learning and over 100 siyumim! The talmidim were joined by parents, faculty, numerous YU roshei yeshiva and even new YU President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman.

After words of welcome from Head of School Rabbi Joshua Kahn, who noted that the evening was being dedicated in memory of Mr. Samuel Goldberg, z’l—father of YUHS board member Alan Goldberg and father-in-law of board chair Miriam Goldberg—who passed away just last week. Former MTA parent and RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yaakov Neuburger presented a Dvar Torah and then the official siyum commenced. Seniors Elazar Mermelstein and Joshua Zyskind were mesayem masechet Kiddushin, juniors Benjy Bral and Nachi Piltz were mesayem masechet Rosh Hashanah, and sophomores Yochanan Zupnick and Shlomo Fink were mesayem masechet Moed Kattan, all representing the many other students who completed a masechta. Following the siyumim, the talmidim danced with their rebbeim to exciting live music. The food was then served, buffet style, and the talmidim, parents and rebbeim enjoyed their seudat mitzvah together.

Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Michael Taubes then shared a Dvar Torah about the need for a rebbe to engage his students’ minds and hearts, and then introduced the next speaker, Rabbi Gideon Shloush—father of MTA sophomore Michael, rabbi of Congregation Adereth El in Manhattan, and president of the New York Board of Rabbis—who spoke of his time in Eretz Yisrael just a few weeks ago for the 50th anniversary celebration of Yom Yerushalayim. Rabbi Shloush highlighted the importance of enjoying the Torah learning and the continuity of its study. The final speaker was graduating senior Aryeh Beinstock, who spoke of hakarat hatov for the rebbeim and the yeshiva for all they did for the talmidim. The crowd then bentsched, and the rebbeim handed out sefarim to each talmid. The siyum this year was amazing once again, and the yeshiva is looking forward to celebrating the talmud Torah of the talmidim next year and for many years to come.

By Noam Putterman