Boys Celebrate Hey Teves with Vibrant Book Fair and Expo

Oholei Torah Hey Teves Book Fair and Expo featured exhibitions from grades 6-7 about the Rebbeim, and interactive experiences where talmidim learned about publishing of their seforim. Students were also able to buy their own seforim with special coupons.

Yesterday, Oholei Torah came together to celebrate the joyous occasion of Hey Teves with an inspiring and engaging Book Fair and Expo. This special day, known as Didan Notzach, highlights the significance of seforim and learning.

The day began with palpable excitement as “Didan Notzach” played over the speakers. Talmidim arrived eager to present their projects, purchase seforim, and participate in the festivities. 

The main event transformed our Yeshiva’s ballroom into a lively hub of chassidishe pride. Each class had a turn to visit the expo, where they viewed exhibits and presentations, purchased seforim, and participated in our Hey Teves Chinese Auction. Over 1,100 seforim were purchased, reflecting the incredible enthusiasm and participation from our talmidim.

Talmidim in grades 6-7 took center stage, having invested significant effort in preparing exhibitions about each of the Rebbeim, from the Baal Shem Tov to the Rebbe. Each booth featured a different Rebbe, with displays, presentations, and seforim available for purchase, such as the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch at his booth. The students passionately shared stories from each Rebbe’s life, highlighting their seforim and demonstrating both deep knowledge and excitement.

One of the standout features of the expo was the interactive experience at the Rebbe’s table, where talmidim learned about the process of publishing Likutei Sichos. From the chozrim and manichim to the typewriter, stencils, and final product, students gained insight into the intricate steps involved in bringing these foundational texts to print.

Additionally, many foundational seforim used by the talmidim in their yeshiva studies, including Mishnayos, Gemaras, and Chumashim, some of which featured Yiddish translations, were available for purchase.

Meanwhile, over at our Mechina division, talmidim set up a market for buying and selling seforim, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and Torah learning. Back at the cheder, a Chinese auction took place, with all proceeds going toward expanding our own Levi Yitzchok Library. This exciting event allowed talmidim the opportunity to win large sets of seforim, further enhancing their personal collections.

Every talmid received a $5 coupon toward the purchase of a sefer, as long as they contributed at least a dollar of their own. This initiative, co-sponsored by the yeshiva and a generous donor, encouraged the talmidim to celebrate Hey Teves as the Rebbe wanted by purchasing seforim. 

A huge thank you to Rabbi Shmuel Butler for bringing rare ksovim, artifacts, and seforim to the book fair, creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees. His presentation captivated students and faculty alike.

We are deeply grateful to Rabbi Mendel Levin for coordinating this successful event and to his assistant Schneur Krinsky for their dedication and hard work. Additionally, we extend our thanks to all the cheder menahalim and to the teachers of grades 6-7 for their involvement of making this event a reality.

Rabbi Mendel Blau, Rosh Moissad, expressed in amazement, “It was beautiful to see how empowered the grades 6-7 talmidim were and how they shined in their roles, sharing information and displaying their exhibits.”

To add to the excitement, each talmid received a beautiful bookmark from OTMC, which they decorated and now use to assist them in their learning.

The pride felt by each student as they walked out carrying their newly purchased seforim filled the room with an electrifying energy, reflecting their deep love for Torah.