Rambam alumni in Israel

In what has become a two decade old tradition, Rambam graduates and their Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, joined together for an amazing and inspiring Shabbaton in Israel.

As soon as talmidim graduate, plans begin for the annual Shabbaton to continue building on the kesher that is the hallmark of Rambam and its talmidim. Talmidim anticipate and look forward to this event because spending a Shabbat together is a special bonding experience, one that cannot be captured through a simple “get together.”

This year’s Shabbaton was scheduled to be held at Yeshivat Har Etzion with talmidim travelling from Yerusahlayim, Kerem b’Yavneh, Bet Shemesh and Shaalvim from their respective Yeshivot to join this much anticipated event.

Despite the unusually stormy weather and the snow that was predicted for the area, talmidim planned to brave the elements and the possibility of road closures and make it to the Shabbaton. However, the snowstorm prevailed with close to 36 inches falling in the Gush Etzion area and 23 inches in Yerushalayim and all roads were closed. But the group was undeterred. Calls went out and plans were drafted to reschedule for the following Shabbat. By Monday night another location was found and thanks to the generosity of Rabbi Samuel Wagner of Yeshiva Ohr Yerushalayim, the dorm and the kitchen were made available.

So, for parshat Shemot the boys reshuffled their Shabbat plans and made their way to Beit Meir.

A mini-reunion was held Friday afternoon and the cameras were out in full force as talmidim took group shots and shared experiences. With the advent of Shabbat, the boys welcomed the day with a rousing and beautiful lecha dodi in the Yeshiva Beit Medresh.

It was followed with divrei Bracha and divrei Torah by Rabbi Friedman on the topic of kavod Shabbat and Kabbolat pnei HaScheena and Maariv.

The Friday night seuda was filled with zemirot, divrei Torah, chevra and ruach. Talmidim asked for updates on Rambam and heard about the night time and lunch learning Masmidim program that attracts approximately 80 boys a week, the recent chaggigah, the rally outside the home of a Nazi war criminal living in Queens, the winning sports teams and so much more!

At the conclusion of the meal, an impromptu tish was held in the dormitory that lasted late into the night.