Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe held its 67th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, May 22, at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst, Queens. The program paid tribute to Harbatzas HaTorah Awardees Rabbi & Mrs. Zev Davidowitz; Kesser Shem Tov Awardees Mr. & Mrs. Shmulie Diamantstein; and Parents of the Year Awardees Dr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen. A special, poignant memorial tribute was accepted by the family of Mr. Harvey Brodsky z”l, the Yeshiva’s longtime, famed English language educator.
Rabbi Don Pacht, Menahel, remarked, “Almost 70 years ago, Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe was established at the behest of our Rosh HaYeshivah, Rav Henoch Leibowitz ztk”l. For those 70 years, we were zocheh to have the mesorah, hashkafah, and hadrachah of the Rosh HaYeshivah, and continuing in that legacy, the current Roshei HaYeshivah guide our Yeshiva in every way.”
Rabbi Pacht spoke of the power of hashpa’ah as we spin situations to have a dose of positivity with incredible lasting impact. “As parents, our ultimate charge is to create an environment that brings forth our children’s tremendous potential towards positivity and k’dushah, and that is the goal and mission of YTM.”
Rabbi Yaakov May, Menahel Emeritus, perpetuated the memory of longtime English department educator Mr. Harvey Brodsky, Hirsh ben Avraham Yaakov z”l, by renaming one of the very classrooms where the grammar expert infused positivity and growth in the general studies education at the Yeshiva. “Mr. Brodsky’s legacy is in the generations of YTM talmidim whom he inspired to strive and grow in literature, language, and writing.”
“‘In literature, as in life’ – I cannot tell you how many papers and how many essays I started with that opening sentence through junior high, high school, and beyond,” reminisced Rabbi Pacht of how Mr. Brodsky taught his students to write. “Creative writing, essays, novels – he said to always compare them to life.”
Mrs. Miriam Greenberg, once a YTM parent and now a proud YTM grandparent, related, “Mr. Brodsky was the quintessential pedagogue. He had passion for his subjects and a singular devotion to educate and transmit knowledge to the next generation. He didn’t want his students to know the material for the test; he wanted them to retain it for life, and he was strikingly successful,” she said. “When my son took a college placement course, he was able to bypass the introductory courses, because Mr. Brodsky had taught them the essentials.”
“In my work in the New York State Assembly, I’m constantly fighting and defending yeshivahs,” shared New York State Assembly Member Sam Berger, a 2012 graduate. “I wish that public schools had the level of education that I got in regard to English from Mr. Brodsky.” Berger feels his English mentor’s impact in his daily reading, writing, and how he communicates ideas to others with purpose, clarity, and conciseness.
Mr. Mordchai Krausz, now a Yeshiva Board Member, took guests back 45 years to when he was a student of Mr. Brodsky’s, stating, “He was the first person who taught me English in the United States.” I myself may add that while I do not miss seeing my papers returned, laden with Mr. Brodsky’s signature red corrections, I, too, have a tremendous hakaras ha’tov for his critique, for I would not be an ounce of the writer that I am today without his astute insight. Mr. Brodsky recognized my ability offered weekly here in the QJL and granted me the sole English accolade at my graduation.
“When he came into the room, you knew he meant business. You knew you were going to learn a lot and you were going to have a good time doing it,” added the Menahel, noting that his class offered structure, making lessons that never had a lull easy for students. My classmate and fellow columnist Izzo Zwiren, who captures his readers’ attention effortlessly, memorialized our teacher best: “From simple things like writing emails to my coworkers or even writing articles for the Queens Jewish Link, every ounce of what I put into that started from where Mr. Brodsky taught us.”
A grassroots effort led by Rabbi Mordechai Shaliehsaboo is underway to finish Shas Mishnayos, an everlasting testament to the values and wisdom imparted, by the first yahrzeit of the beloved teacher who left an indelible mark on so many. Participate by visiting lzechernishmas.com/signup.php?id=12110.
Dr. Adam and Mrs. Chanie Cohen, Parents of the Year, were introduced by Rabbi Yehuda Zakutinsky of Hashevaynu in Kew Gardens Hills. He spoke of Adam as a person always looking to help others while finding time to grow on his own by attending shiurim, “When you think of what a good parent is, you have to come to Hashevaynu and see Adam with his children; it’s just remarkable.” Known to roll up their sleeves whenever necessary, the Cohens always recommend and advocate for YTM. Board Member Aaron Laub, a high school pal of Adam’s, commented, “Both in his practice as a physical therapist and as a Little League coach, who I’ve coached with, he demonstrates compassion and understanding.” Adam’s youngest brother, Rabbi Dan Moshe Cohen, Rav of YU’s Sephardic Program, expressed how his brother often gives doses of chizuk to passersby, adding, “There’s no time that I would walk into their home, and it’s not calm, peaceful, and welcoming.”
On a personal note, I thank my neighbor and friend Dr. Cohen for being a powerful force in my rehabilitation following an unfortunate car wreck one year ago this week. His positivity and determination are unparalleled.
“When our older son David was ready to look for a yeshivah at five years old, we didn’t have to look far. Immediately, we saw, once we got to the school, that it was the right choice. Not only was it the right choice academically because of the great rebbeim, English teachers, and hanhalah, we felt socio-emotionally that our son was very, very supported. It didn’t feel like a school; it really felt like a family.”
Mr. Shmulie and Mrs. Chaya Diamantstein were welcomed to receive the Kesser Shem Tov Award by Rabbi Yaacov Bergman, Rav at Beis Midrash of KGH, who noted that the Diamantsteins are a humble, soft-spoken couple who “have sheim tov in our community among their friends and family,” which is directly apparent when watching their children. Rabbi Mordechai Hodkin, Rosh Kollel, Kollel Ohr Yisroel, described the power duo as people who “are committed, driven, and passionate about Torah and chesed.” Their friends Naftali and Rochel Levy had the kindest words to say, showcasing their positive attitude, care, and chesed to enhance the lives of others, a quality they have imbued in their mishpachah and that I saw as a youth in the home of Chaya’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Avi Hershkowitz, as her brother Yitzchak was a close YTM friend. Rochel mentioned, “Every child who walks out of her store, and now women, feel important and beautiful just from the way that they are treated by Chaya,” referencing her boutique, Perfection Couture. Rabbi Pacht, a member of the kehillah, said, “You know that a family deserves to be honored when they absolutely refuse to be honored.” Their eldest son Chaim graduated in 2018, Shimmy in 2022, and Moshe, who is currently a junior, each thanked the Yeshiva for providing them with the skills to learn Torah and thrive in the real world. Shmulie spoke of his first impression of YTM talmidim who were “very well-behaved serious boys, davening well, and carrying themselves like true b’nei Torah” leaving him confident that the Yeshiva can produce the same of his children. Shmulie articulated the responsibility his son Chaim showed when he opted to remain at Rabbi Senter’s yeshivah in Eretz Yisrael despite the Simchas Torah massacre, how his dear Shimmy strives for new highest unsatisfied with the mundane and status quo, and the inspiration that Moish gives his father and friends each Wednesday as he attends Rabbi Hodkin’s kollel, adding onto his already packed limud schedule. The couple, with their deep humility, accepted the honor as a means of thanking the Yeshiva for bringing their dream full circle.
The Harbatzas HaTorah Award was presented to Rabbi and Mrs. Zev Davidowitz by HaRav Shaul Opoczynski with remarks prerecorded by HaRav Akiva Grunblatt, Rosh HaYeshivah of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, who spoke of his talmid’s positiveness and simchas ha’chayim in himself and his students. Rabbi Davidowitz, Menahel Mechinah at Yeshiva of South Shore, is admired by his peers. Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, YOSS Rosh HaYeshivah, noted the patience shown to each student who desires to discuss an issue; Mr. Daniel Winkler, Principal of the Mechinah Division, pointed to outstanding leading capabilities underscored by love and forethought; Elementary Division Menahel Rabbi Avraham Robinson remarked how students open up to Rabbi Davidowitz; and Rabbi Yoni Escovitz of their seventh grade offered a firsthand account of Rabbi Davidowitz’s dedication to harbatzas haTorah, as well as Mrs. Davidowitz, who teaches his daughter at BYQ. Rabbi Mordechai Ginsparg, Menahel at BYQ, commented on Mrs. Davidowitz’s chinuch approach, making her a standout morah. Rabbi Pacht and Rabbi Davidowitz have a friendship spanning three decades, including learning b’chavrusa at Yeshiva of Rochester, and at Vancouver Hebrew Academy, where Rabbi Pacht taught the Davidowitz children.
A feature presentation showcasing the engagement, enjoyment, progress, limud, and growth of the talmidim followed. The boys spoke of achdus with peers, love for the Yeshiva, care from their mentors, and how they walk out daily, feeling enriched as they flourish to new heights in the safe, nurturing environment where they strive to maximize their potential.
YTM smoothly functions, thanks to its dedicated staff: Executive Director Rabbi Chaim Schauder, Administrator Rabbi Chaim Eli Welcher, Mr. Chaim Tzvi Feldman, Mrs. Goldie Oved, Mrs. Shoshana Feldman, Reb. Esther Rockove, Mrs. Goldie Rubinov, Reb. Sarah Rivka Harris, and Mr. Ari Cohen. Mrs. Brocha Hartman, school secretary, assured the parents that the front office staff “know your boys,” explaining that they are always ready, willing, and able to address their important concerns. As my neighbors, I proudly attest to the Hartman boys, all stellar YTM talmidim, being b’nei Torah with extreme derech eretz who justly emulate the Torah path set forth by their parents and esteemed grandparents. Yasher koach!
By Shabsie Saphirstein
