Now in its fifth year, the Father and Son Shabbos has become a defining program of Arizona Mesivta.

The yeshiva was founded through the vision of the Rebbe’s Head Shliach to Scottsdale, Arizona, Rabbi Yossi Levertov, together with Rabbi Sholom Lew, and is guided by a devoted and accomplished hanhalah. The yeshiva is led by Menahel Rabbi Abba Naparstek, together with a dedicated team of veteran mechanchim who bring both experience and heart to their work.

The immersive experience began on Friday morning. Following the 7:30 AM seder and Shacharis, fathers joined the entire Yeshiva as they delved into Gemara with the Bochurim, followed by a captivating Shiur delivered by Shiur Alef Maggid Shiur Rabbi Mendy Thaler.

“On the surface, nothing unusual was happening; the boys simply sat and learned — and they learn well!” one father noted. “I didn’t see a mashgiach needing to give reminders. It never felt like the program was curated for the fathers. Rather, it felt like a regular Yeshiva Friday.”

This authenticity set the tone. Fathers and sons learned side-by-side and went on mivtzoim together, where parents saw their sons interacting with the local community with special energy and maturity.

The Friday night seudah featured fathers speaking about the standard and atmosphere the Yeshiva is fostering, flowing naturally into a farbrengen that lasted well past midnight.

The inspiration carried through Shabbos day, as Shiur Beis Mashpia Rabbi Levi Altein and Shiur Gimel Maggid Shiur and Mashpia Rabbi Hudi Frankel led a warm and uplifting farbrengen, connecting with bochurim and parents alike.

“One of the most inspiring things to watch was how everyone gets along,” a participating father observed. “There were no ‘cliques.’ I saw conversations and friendship across the ages.”

Another parent noted that this unity is the engine of the Yeshiva: “Each bochur looks up to those who are excelling, and those excelling lift the others up.”

The weekend concluded with a spirited Melaveh Malka, emceed by Shiur Alef Mashpia Rabbi Meir Avtzon.

The Head Shliach of Arizona, Rabbi Zalman Levertov, opened the evening with warm words that set the tone.

The shluchim then presented a special slideshow, offering parents a visual glimpse into the learning, programs, and vibrant energy that fill the yeshiva throughout the year. Several fathers shared reflections, but one of the most powerful moments came when a bochur approached the microphone.

“I can’t imagine there is another yeshiva,” he said, “with a Hanhalah as dedicated and caring to every single bochur as we have here.”

Reflecting on the weekend, one father summed up the sentiment shared by many:

“This achdus is the core of the yeshiva. Those who are excelling give of themselves to lift others up. Sitting side by side with my son and witnessing the unity between the bochurim, the shluchim, the eltere bochurim, and the hanhalah… I’ve never seen anything like it. That’s how lives are changed.”