Last Thursday night, Yud Daled Kislev, a gala banquet and farbrengen took place in Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Mayan Torah, celebrating the 97th anniversary of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin.

Beyond being just a celebration, this event took on a truly unique light. For days prior, bochurim in Yeshiva had the opportunity to utilize their unique talents in honor of the Simcha, meticulously planning and executing the evening.

The Zal was transformed into a hall befitting the momentous occasion, with beautiful curtains adorning the walls, ambient lighting, and elegantly set tables decked out with candles and centerpieces – no effort was spared and no detail overlooked in the elaborate decor.

This unique effort, allowing the bochurim to exercise their individual talents and abilities to shine in ways they may not always be able to, paralleled an example set by Rebbetzin Chana herself, at the celebration she hosted in Yekaterinoslav in 5689.

Tragically barred from attending her oldest son’s wedding in person, the Rebbetzin decided to hold festivities of her own, fully intending to commemorate the occasion in the grandest way possible, despite the bittersweet circumstances.

In addition to holding a celebration for the entire community on the night of the wedding, Rebbetzin Chana hosted a special gathering the following evening exclusively for the community children. With her characteristic warmth and determination, she declared that “every child has a special talent, and everyone is going to use their talent to contribute to the celebration!” Whether it was through singing, drawing, performing, or any other creative expression, she encouraged each child to take a personal part in the simcha.

So too, this banquet mirrored that very spirit, giving many bochurim the chance to contribute their unique talents toward the success of the evening. From the careful arrangements and the exquisite decorating of the room, to the setting of the tables, the musical accompaniment, and even juggling during the dancing, the event enabled bochurim to express their excitement for the Simcha individually, and shine in ways otherwise not possible in Yeshiva.

Throughout the banquet, bochurim and Hanhala members shared messages and stories of inspiration, highlighting the specialty of the Yom Tov and its personal relevance to all of us chassidim. The bochurim heard from fellow talmidim Chaim Gutnick, Shneur Zalman Vigler and Dovid Steinmetz, as well as Maggidei Shiurim in Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Aharon Drew and Rabbi Zalmy Engel.

But the best had yet to come. An extraordinary surprise was in store for the talmidim, as an unforgettable guest arrived at the banquet to address them. Rabbi Velvl Butman, shaliach and renowned lecturer, delivered the keynote address, keeping the entire Yeshiva glued to their seats as he regaled them with stories of shalichus and critical messages of hiskashrus.

Following Rabbi Butman’s words of inspiration and the conclusion of the formal event, the room erupted in exuberant dancing, as per the Rebbe’s directive for such celebrations.

The bochurim then split up into smaller groups, joining Rabbi Butman and other guest mashpi’im for meaningful farbrengens that carried on late into the night, taking hachlatos to anchor the inspiration of the evening and deepen their connection to the Rebbe.

Thank you to the bochurim of Shiur Beis, led by Nosson Weinfeld and Avremel Sirota, along with Mendel Feldman, for putting together the magnificent operation.

Thank you to Schneur Niasoff for providing the beautiful musical accompaniment and the energetic dancing.

Thank you to Rabbi Mendel Goldstein for overseeing the team of organizers before and during the banquet, to ensure a flawless execution of the evening.

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