Annual Chag Hasemicha Celebrated in Buenos Aires

The ninth annual Chag Hasemicha celebration took place on Thursday evening, October 15, at Kollel Ohel Yosef Moshe in Buenos Aires, Argentina, honoring four young bochurim who successfully completed their studies in practical Halacha and received their semicha.

The event brought together rabbonim, family members, friends, and supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates and the continued growth of the semicha program.

The program, directed by Rabbi Mendel Raijer, provides young Lubavitcher bochurim with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of practical Halacha and achieve meaningful milestones in their Torah studies.

Among the rabbonim in attendance were Rabbi Efraim Halperin and Rabbi Dovid Plotka, who addressed the graduates and encouraged them to continue advancing in their Torah learning, deepening their knowledge of Halacha, and striving toward new achievements. Rabbi Isroel Kapelushnik also addressed the gathering, sharing words of Torah and encouragement.

This year’s celebration was honored by two special guests. Rabbi Shlomo Tawil, Chabad shliach to Rosario, Argentina, traveled especially to attend the event and witness his son receive his semicha certificate.

Rabbi Shmuel Tzabaj, director of the Kashrus Institute serving Toronto and Montreal, also participated, sharing words of Torah and expressing his admiration for the accomplishments of such young students.

He noted how remarkable it is that in Lubavitch, young bochurim attain this level of proficiency in Halacha, whereas in many other settings, those pursuing comparable qualifications are generally older avreichim.

A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for the graduates themselves to share words of Torah with the assembled guests. Each bochur selected a different topic in Hilchos Kashrus that he had studied throughout the year, exploring its practical applications and drawing a lesson in avodas Hashem from the halachos governing everyday Jewish life.

The program also included expressions of gratitude to those whose ongoing support makes the initiative possible year after year. Special recognition was given to Reb Chaim Lapidus and Rabbi Mendel Gorowitz for their generous sponsorship and commitment to the program.

The four graduates honored at this year’s celebration were Isroel Tawil, Dani Cohenca, David Cohenca, and Sholem Kapelushnik.

The ninth Chag Hasemicha marked another milestone in the program’s mission to cultivate Torah scholarship, strengthen practical Halachic knowledge, and inspire the next generation of Lubavitcher rabbonim to continue growing in their learning and avodas Hashem.