YUHSB is celebrating its centennial this year and the occasion is being marked by, among other things, our hosting a range of incredible events, including a special community-wide Yom Iyun held this past Sunday. Entitled "Inspiring the Next Generation," the Yom Iyun aimed to address how one can inspire the youth of today's fast moving digital age, especially in light of certain questionable priorities and morals found in the western world of today. The program began in a decorated and crowded Lamport Auditorium where our Head of School, Rabbi Kahn, opened with general introductions and a d'var Torah, before passing the microphone to YU President (and MTA alumnus) Richard Joel, who spoke proudly of the school and then introduced a fellow MTA alumnus, President Elect Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. The last speaker in Lamport, delivering the keynote speech, was Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who suggested 10 ways to ensure that the next generation will remain committed to Orthodox Judaism and devoted to Torah and Mitzvos. 

After Rabbi Sack's inspiring and enlightening speech, the first of two "breakout" sessions began. Attendees had the option to attend one of six presentations; sessions were headed by Rabbi Steven Burg, Director of Aish haTorah, Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Dean of YU's Center for the Jewish Future, Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, Director of The Tikvah Fund and former YUHSB principal, Rabbi Dr. Joshua Joseph, YU Senior Vice President, Mrs. CB Neugroschl, Head of School at Central/YUHSG, and Dr. Rova Novick, Dean of Azrieli Graduate School. The second breakout consisted of an option of seven speakers: Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Founder and Director of Project Y.E.S.; Rabbi Joshua Kahn, our YUHSB Head of School, Rabbi Menachem Penner, Dean of RIETS; Rabbi Daniel Price, Head of School at  RYNJ, Dr. Rivka Schwartz, Associate Principal of SAR High School, Rabbi Taubes, Rosh Yeshiva of YUHSB and RIETS, and Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva of RIETS.

The Yom Iyun was well attended, with hundreds of people from throughout the area joining us for this day of education and learning in honor of our 100th year. More events celebrating MTA's centennial are scheduled throughout the year, such as this year's YUHS Annual Dinner, which will pay tribute to "Legacy" families who have been associated with YUHS for multiple generations, and will recognize 100 years of Building Foundations. MTA looks forward to another hundred plus years of continual growth and education!

To listen to the opening session or any of the breakout sessions, please click here. For photos of the day, click here. Special thanks to student photographers Chanan Berger ('19), Yitzy Socol ('20), and Ben Tzion Zuckier ('17), as well as to all of the student ambassadors who helped throughout the event.

On Wednesday, the entire Honors College headed onto buses after shiur and an early minchah to go see the Off-Broadway play, "Luther on Trial." The play is in commemoration of the 500 year anniversary since Luther pinned his famous 95 Theses onto the door of the Tower of Wittenberg and subsequently revolutionized the western world with the introduction of Protestantism. The setting is the modern era and the action takes place in the afterworld, with the devil as the prosecutor and Luther's wife, Katharina Von Bora, as the defendant. Several well-known witnesses, many seemingly having nothing to do with the matter at hand, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Sigmund Freud, are examined and used in the defense or prosecution of Martin Luther. One of the issues that arose, in addition to whether Luther's doctrines are heresy, is Luther's conflicting and brash views towards Jews.

The play was very creative in its design and ability to incorporate many facets and time periods of history into an already heated topic. Throughout the play, the students were enthralled by the ideas being presented and the dramatic cast in their intense portrayal of the characters. Thank you to Dr. Taylor, Rabbi Brownstein, and Mr. Toporovsky for arranging the trip and accompanying the students.

The fourth annual Yeshiva Fellowship Shabbaton in Teaneck was once again a great success. After a few long hours of intensive football in Votee Park, the students left the frozen football fields tired and slumped over, as they went to their respective hosts to rejuvenate and prepare for Shabbos and the exciting weekend that lay before them.

The students met up again in Congregation Beth Abraham for Kabbalas Shabbos and a delicious Friday night seudah , which was enhanced with wonderful zemiros , divrei torah, and great food. Following dinner, students headed to the Beis Midrash for an hour of chavrusa learning.  Fully satisfied, both physically and spiritually, everyone  walked over to the Pfeiffer home to partake in an inspiring Shabbos Oneg for all MTA students and prospective students as well. Though there was no shortage of candy, snacks, and cake, the singing was definitely the most memorable part of the night. Everyone went back to their host's house to spend the night and part of Shabbos day. The Yeshiva Fellowship Shabbaton resumed in the afternoon with a delicious Shalosh Seudos at the Burgs' house. The combination of food and spirituality was present yet again. Much thanks to Rabbi Danto for coordinating the Shabbaton , as well as the Yeshiva Fellowship grade-Rebbeim who attended .

On Monday, immediately following davening, Rabbi Cohen's Shiur loaded onto a bus and headed to the beautiful Hebrew Home at Riverdale. As part of a new chessed initiative, the boys were excited to spend their morning in the company of the elderly residents there. When they arrived, the students were greeted by the smiling, gracious staff of the home, who gave them a brief tour of a small section of the gorgeous, spacious grounds, as well as instructions on what they would be doing. Three groups were formed; one large group participated in a dance circle, and the other two smaller groups broke off to converse with some of the residents. After a little while, the groups rejoined to talk with a particularly witty and insightful individual, and to tour the on-site Judaica museum. After taking a picture, the boys reluctantly made their way towards the bus and returned to MTA. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this special event, including the hospitable staff and the elderly people the boys talked with for their wisdom-filled comments.

This past Motzaei Shabbos, Yeshiva University held its annual Yeshiva-Wide Melave Malka featuring YU Roshei Yeshiva and Rebbeim as well as the popular singer Eitan Katz. Many MTA students attended, and there was even a bus from Teaneck to YU for the talmidim who did not have rides. The program began with a dinner in the YU Cafeteria. MTA alumnus Binyamin Pfeiffer ('13) spoke to the crowd, followed by YU Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman. The dinner was filled with spirited  ruach and dancing. The program was followed by a Kumsitz in the Max Stern Athletic Center, which was attended by a large portion of the YU student body, as well as a number of the Roshei Yeshiva and faculty. At the end of the event, YU handed out its updated Roshei Yeshiva poster for free to all those in attendance. Overall, the MTA students who attended were able to be inspired as well as get a better taste of being part of the greater Yeshiva University community.

This past Sunday morning, the MTA wrestling team had the opportunity to attend the Port Richmond HS Holiday Wrestling Tournament in Staten Island. The team warmed up with the captains' lead and then set out to wrestle. After many tough matches, with coaches and captains shouting advice from the sidelines, MTA came out with three finalists and two wrestlers going for third place. Zachary Gurwitz (18') in the 145 pound weight class and Benjy Bral ('18) in the 120 pound weight class both managed to reach 3rd place. Izzy Frasko ('17) placed first in the 220 pound weight class, while Alex Knapp ('17) in the heavyweight class and Ariel Dubizh ('17) in the 138 pound weight class came in 2nd in their divisions. The day was long and exhausting, and ended with the Lions taking 7th place. This was a great accomplishment with so many schools participating, but it wasn't over for the team since there was another match the very next day!

On Monday, after the grueling tournament, the wrestling team took a bus over to SAR High School. Immediately upon arrival, weigh-ins took place and warm-ups followed suit. The individual matches were brutal and strenuous, and by the end of the close match, SAR took the win. Although the loss was difficult, with dedication, integrity and hard work, the team is working its way back to where it should be. The MTA wrestling team is looking forward to its next match against TABC on January 4th.

On Monday, the MTA Varsity Hockey Team hosted the SAR Sting in the Lions' Den. The Lions had a stupendous first period, displaying incredible effort after an inspirational speech from Coach Yoni Stone. The first period ended in a deadlock, tied at one. Shortly thereafter, however, the Lions' hustle seemed to lose its luster, and they quickly dug themselves a hole. Unable to return, the Lions lost the hard-fought game and hope to get back on track in their next contest.

This past week, the Varsity Lions Basketball team played back to back away games. On Sunday, MTA started off strong against Maor, leading by 8 at the half, but after a barrage of 3's by Maor, MTA trailed by 2 early in the 4th. Eli Gruenburg ('17) (14 points) then went on an 8-0 run to put the Lions up by 12, and then Aryeh Halpert ('17) (9 points) sealed the game with a 3. The Lions left confidently with a 64-48 victory.

On Monday, they traveled over to Ramaz and after watching the JV win, started off slow, not able to get any shots to fall. Despite this, they led at the half and late into the 3rd until a 3 fell for Ramaz that ended the period with the Rams up by 1. The Lions then looked to seal the deal with their free throw shooting and shot a strong 14-19 from the line. The Rams committed 2 technical fouls and a flagrant foul that essentially took themselves out of the game and opened the door for another strong win by the Lions. Josh Klein ('17) had a strong performance offensively with 13 points, and MTA left with a win by a score of 55-39.