On Wednesday, all of MTA joined Yeshiva University in their celebration of Rosh Yeshiva Rav Herschel Schachter's 50th year of teaching Torah at YU. Instead of regular shiur, all of the different shiurum in YU, including MTA, joined for a day of unity. Different shiurum of all ages and learning levels were paired up for the morning. The talmidim learned Mishnayos Kiddushin, in an effort to finish 50 times in honor of Rav Schachter, a goal that was easily surpassed. At 11:30, every YU rebbe and talmid - well over 1,000 people - packed into the Glueck Beis Medrash. After introductory remarks by MTA's own Rabbi Tanchum Cohen, as well as RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai Willig and RIETS Dean Rabbi Menachem Penner, Rabbi Schachter, in an emotional speech, addressed the entire Yeshiva. After he completed his remarks, Rav Schachter made a siyum on all of Shas, which the Yeshiva learned in his honor over the past few weeks. Then, all of the Roshei Yeshiva danced in front of the Beis Medrash, with the 1000+ talmidim singing and dancing behind them. This was an incredible and emotionally uplifting sight, as although there was not much room for physically intense dancing, the spiritual feeling throughout the room was a once in a lifetime experience.

More pictures are available on our Flickr.

This past Motzei Shabbos, Purim night, was time for the annual Yeshiva University Purim Chagigah. All MTA students and their fathers were invited to join the college students at the Max Stern Athletic Center for a night of singing, dinner, and dancing with friends, rebbeim, and Roshei Yeshiva. The MTA talmidim were privileged to be able to celebrate with Rav Yosef Blau, Rav Yitzchak Cohen, Rav Herschel Schachter ('58), Rav Meir Goldwicht, Rav Zevulun Charlop, Rav Yaakov Neuberger, Rav Herschel Reichman, Rav Michael Rosensweig, Rav Zvi Sobolofsky, Rav Moshe Tendler, Rav Mayer Twersky, and Rav Mordechai Willig. The energetic dancing of the MTA talmidim, along with the spirit of the Yeshiva University's college students, continued late into the night. The wild costumes, ruach, and of course, the inspiration of the rebbeim, made the Chagigah an unforgettable experience for all. Chagigah participants also were able to enjoy a special Purim shpiel from the YU Scope publication, a satire magazine that was founded by MTA students Yaacov Bronstein ('13), Daniel Goldstein ('13), A Lion's Life's editor Devir Kahan ('13), Yosef Sklar ('13) and Zach Sterman ('13) who matriculated to the college.

Tuesday night marked the first ever Shiru High School Choir Competition, which was hosted at MTA. The three competing teams were MTA, TABC, and Rambam. The first round of the competition started off strong, with TABC singing "Dror Yikra" by the Maccabeats, Rambam singing MBC's "Yavo," and MTA singing "Hashem Melech" by Gad Elbaz. The second round featured slower and more emotional songs, with TABC singing "Lecha Dodi" by the Maccabeats, Rambam singing "Al Zeh Hayah" by Mesivta Waterbury, and MTA singing "B'sheim Hashem" by Benny Friedman. After the points were tallied up, TABC was eliminated by a single point, and MTA faced Rambam for the third and final round. Rambam went first, singing a simple, but beautiful rendition of Eitan Katz's "L'maancha." Then MTA performed, singing "Rau Banim" by Yaakov Shwekey for the win. The MTA Chorus would like to thank Mr. David Ross for all of the help that he provided them! Thank you also to Yossi Dietz ('18) for leading the event coordination. 

This past Monday, Shushan Purim, the entire yeshiva enjoyed a festive Chagigah in celebration of this joyous holiday season. Beginning at 10:30 AM, the Chagigah in The Lion's Den featured plenty of spirited dancing, delicious hamantashen, divrei Torah viChizuk from YU's Rabbi Eitan Schnall, himself an MTA graduate, and an entertaining costume contest! In addition, generous portions of Chapcorn and Ari's Herring were available for the entire Yeshiva. We even had the special privilege of hearing songs from our very own choir (who went on to win the Shiru competition later that evening)! We thank all the rebbeim and students who helped maintain the energy in the room, Mrs. Levitt and Morah Haibi for their costume-contest judging, and everyone else who helped make the morning such an enjoyable success.

Congratulations to the grade winners of this year's costume contest;  from left to right, Yitzy Richter ('17), Elie Burg ('18), Moshe Inger ('20), David Kohanchi ('19), and Tzvi Sabo ('17). Michael Shloush ('19), the overall winner, is pictured below.

More pictures available on our Flickr.

This past Thursday, March 26th, the MTA Mock Trial Team once again represented the plaintiff, Robin Berkman, in a heated trial. The team had earned their spot in the New York City playoffs and was facing off against Ramaz. Unfortunately, MTA lost by a small margin, but it was a valiant effort and we look forward to intensifying our efforts next year.