The talmidim of Yeshiva Torat Chaim of Hillcrest, Queens, recently enjoyed a memorable Shabbaton in Lakewood, New Jersey. Led by the Rosh Yeshivah, Rabbi Shalom Khaimov, together with the yeshivah’s dedicated rebbeim, the boys spent a weekend surrounded by Torah, warmth, and simchah. They were joined by Rabbi Aron Israelov and Rabbi Stimmel, along with their families, adding a family atmosphere throughout Shabbos.
For the boys, the Shabbaton was a chance to step outside the classroom and see the beauty of Torah life up close in one of the great Torah centers of the world. From erev Shabbos until the final goodbyes on Sunday afternoon, the weekend was filled with learning, friendship, and joy.
Shabbos began with a Friday night seudah in the home of Rabbi Khaimov. Around a table filled with delicious food, the boys sang zemiros, heard divrei Torah from their rebbeim, and felt the warmth of a true Torah home.
After the seudah, the talmidim walked together to visit the mara d’asra of the Woodlane Shul, Rabbi Shimon Kitevitz. The Rav graciously welcomed the boys and invited them to ask questions about Torah, halachah, and life. Rabbi Kitevitz answered with patience and clarity, leaving the boys deeply impressed by the Rav’s wisdom and the respect shown to each of them.
The evening continued with a lively oneg Shabbos, full of singing, candy, and nosh. The room was filled with the boys’ voices as they sang Shabbos niggunim together with their rebbeim. The highlight of the oneg was an inspiring talk and moving story shared by Rabbi Nachum Dickstein, a rosh chaburah at Beth Medrash Govoha.
On Shabbos day, the boys were divided into small groups and hosted for the seudah by avreichim and talmidei chachamim throughout Jackson’s Brookwood IV neighborhood. Sitting at these families’ tables, the talmidim saw firsthand what a home built on Torah looks like and the joy that comes from a life devoted to learning. Many of the boys later said these meals were among the most meaningful moments of the Shabbaton.
As Shabbos drew to a close, everyone gathered back at Rabbi Khaimov’s home for seudah shelishis. In the fading light, the boys sang together with feeling, holding on to the last moments of the holy day.
On Motza’ei Shabbos, the excitement continued as the boys enjoyed a swim in an Olympic-size pool. This was followed by a joyful melaveh malkah led by Rabbi Aron Israelov, with good food, music, and words of chizuk to carry the spirit of Shabbos into the new week.
The Shabbaton reached its peak on Sunday morning, when the boys visited Beth Medrash Govoha. Walking through the halls of one of the largest yeshivos in the world and hearing thousands of bachurim and avreichim learning made a powerful impression on the talmidim. The boys were then granted a special audience with the Rosh Yeshivah, HaGaon Rav Yerucham Olshin, shlit”a.
Rav Olshin spoke about ahavas haTorah, the love of Torah, and how it is the foundation of a life of growth. Rav Olshin shared a moving story: Rav Shimon Shkop once gave a brachah to a man in America that his son should be blessed with ahavas haTorah. That young boy grew up to become HaGaon Rav Mordechai Gifter, the Rosh Yeshivah of Telz and one of the great Torah leaders of his generation. Rav Olshin then blessed each of the talmidim that they, too, should merit a true and lasting love of Torah. The boys listened intently, taking the Rosh Yeshivah’s words to heart.
After the visit, the boys headed to Sky Zone for jumping and dodgeball, where talmidim and rebbeim alike enjoyed plenty of fun and laughter. The trip concluded with a delicious lunch from Glatt Bite before the group headed home.
As the vans pulled away, the students did not want to leave, and many were already asking when the next Shabbaton would be. The weekend had brought the talmidim closer to one another and to their rebbeim.
Most of all, the weekend was a living expression of what Yeshiva Torat Chaim stands for. Under Rabbi Khaimov’s leadership, the yeshivah is dedicated to instilling ahavas haTorah in every talmid and showing him the beauty and joy of life as a ben Torah. This Shabbaton gave the boys a true taste of that life, with inspiration to carry home.
