For their a gala celebration,
the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
tracked down the whereabouts of 5 alumni,
and the results are impressive!
Written by: Anav Silverman
The Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies recently celebrated
the miraculous victory of the Six Day War and the renaissance of Jewish
education that has flourished in the Jewish people’s eternal capital ever since
its reunification, in a special Jerusalem Jubilee evening on Sunday, June 18.
Held at the Menachem Begin Center in Jerusalem, the co-founders of Mayanot, Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner and Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov honored some special supporters of Mayanot’s educational programs, which have impacted thousands of young Jews around the world.
Held at the Menachem Begin Center in Jerusalem, the co-founders of Mayanot, Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner and Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov honored some special supporters of Mayanot’s educational programs, which have impacted thousands of young Jews around the world.
“Mayanot has brought over 50,000 students to Israel through
Birthright Israel and other programs,” said Rabbi Shemtov at the opening of the
event. “Each year, we bring around 5,000 participants. Thousands have made
aliyah to Israel following our programs.”
Mayanot offers annual semester, winter and summer as well as
post Birthright Israel study programs for women and men age 20 and over no
matter their background in Jewish studies.
David Horovitz, the founding editor of The Times
of Israel, who previously worked at the Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem
Report, delivered the keynote address at the Jerusalem Jubilee. Mr.
Horovitz discussed what it meant for him and his family to come to Israel. He illustrated what it is like being a part of
this great nation, with all its challenges and successes, “when for the first
time in 2000 years the Jewish nation got their country back, how can you not want
to be a part of it”.
(Mr. David Horovitz giving the keynote address)
Honorees of the evening included Martin and Melanie
Glatt who were the recipients of the Jerusalem Award for their work
in enhancing the Jewish experience at the Western Wall through the Kotel
Foundation and as dedicated partners in the educational work of Mayanot as
well as their leadership of the Jewish Interactive.
Benjamin and Susan Shapell were the recipients of the Aliyah Award for their support of Jewish education and programs that improve life in Israel.
Nicky Newfield, a passionate Jewish educator and founder of the educational technology production house, Jewish Interactive, was the recipient of the Education Award for her pioneering work in Ed-tech.
Benjamin and Susan Shapell were the recipients of the Aliyah Award for their support of Jewish education and programs that improve life in Israel.
Nicky Newfield, a passionate Jewish educator and founder of the educational technology production house, Jewish Interactive, was the recipient of the Education Award for her pioneering work in Ed-tech.
(From Left: Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner, Johnny & Nicky Newfield, Aviva & Jeffry Kashuk)
“I don’t feel I deserve any kind of award. Twenty years ago,
I went to the Gestetners’ home for Shabbat, and they have been role models for
me ever since then. Their home truly inspired me,” said Newfield, who made
aliyah from South Africa with her family, four years ago.
David and Eda Schottenstein of Florida, were
honored for their philanthropic projects including their support of the new
Mayanot World Center and were the Recipients of the Leadership Award.
“We see the dividends of our investments in Mayanot.
Everywhere we have met Jewish people, we are told about the time they spent in
Mayanot and what a positive impact it had on the direction of their lives,”
said David Schottenstein upon receiving the award. His wife, Eda, added that
Mayanot has “an amazing domino effect that doesn’t seem to end.”
(From Left: Eda & David Schottenstein, Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov)
One particular spiritual domino effect that Rabbi Shemtov
highlighted during the evening was The World Tefillin Campaign that
began 50 years ago in response to the imminent danger facing the State of
Israel before the outbreak of the Six Day War. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem
Mendel Schneerson, initiated a campaign to encourage Jewish men and
especially IDF soldiers to put on tefillin, as a mitzvah to provide spiritual
protection. When Israel had liberated the Old City and the Western Wall, the
Rebbe immediately sent a telegram to set up a stand by the Kotel where any Jew
could put on tefillin. Fifty years following the Six Day War, the Tefillin
Campaign is still alive and strong.
(From Left: Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner, Martin & Melanie Glatt, Aviva & Jeffry Kashuk, Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov)
Martin Glatt initiated and sponsored, in partnership with Mayanot
and Chabad at the Kotel, a new and improved Tefillin brochure to be used
by the Western Wall. This was in honor of the 50th year anniversary
of the World Tefillin Campaign and the liberation of the kotel, and every guest
was gifted a copy.
Both Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat and Deputy Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Michael Oren, acknowledged the
important work of Mayanot in letters shared in the event journals given out
during the evening.
“Mayanot has contributed to the renaissance in Jerusalem through their Jewish Studies programs, their thriving synagogue, and their leadership in bringing thousands of students to Israel through Birthright Israel,” wrote Mayor Barkat.
“Mayanot has contributed to the renaissance in Jerusalem through their Jewish Studies programs, their thriving synagogue, and their leadership in bringing thousands of students to Israel through Birthright Israel,” wrote Mayor Barkat.
“Through Mayanot, thousands of young Jews have developed a
deep connection to Israel and the Jewish nation,” noted Oren, who was the
former Israeli ambassador to the United States. “Tonight’s honorees are
outstanding examples of our people’s commitment for tikkun olam.”
Guests were honored by a special video presentation of
Mayanot alumni impacting society and Israel.
The presentation focused on Etan Efrati’s work at OurCrowd an Israeli Start Up, Eugene Kontorovitch’s work as Director of The Kohelet Policy Forum, Esther Fuerster’s work at the Ministry of Justice, Tzvi Maller’s work as co-owner of Crave gourmet street food in Jerusalem, and Danny Sack’s work as Director of the Mayanot Birthright Israel division.
The presentation focused on Etan Efrati’s work at OurCrowd an Israeli Start Up, Eugene Kontorovitch’s work as Director of The Kohelet Policy Forum, Esther Fuerster’s work at the Ministry of Justice, Tzvi Maller’s work as co-owner of Crave gourmet street food in Jerusalem, and Danny Sack’s work as Director of the Mayanot Birthright Israel division.
One audience member, Scott Spiegel, 23, of Miami, who
was visiting as part of a Birthright Israel: Mayanot
trip, said that his first visit to Israel had been amazing.
“I haven’t felt connected to Judaism that much since my Bar Mitzvah. This trip with Birthright Israel: Mayanot has made me appreciate my Jewish heritage so much more. I know this experience will continue to inspire me in the future.”
To view the live stream of the keynote address, click here.
“I haven’t felt connected to Judaism that much since my Bar Mitzvah. This trip with Birthright Israel: Mayanot has made me appreciate my Jewish heritage so much more. I know this experience will continue to inspire me in the future.”
To view the live stream of the keynote address, click here.
