Roshei Yeshiva Debate Issues

Rabbis of leading Chabad Yeshivos worldwide dedicated part of their annual summit to weighing the idea of renewing an umbrella body that will coordinate policy and structure.

Participants of the Global Yarchei Kallah in Upstate New York stressed the need of working together to tackle various issues, from encouraging elite students to helping the slow learners.

The closed door discussion on Thursday at Camp Gan Israel in the Parksville village in the Catskill Mountains erupted at times into heated debate. Details were not provided.

Lively exchanges were also heard later as some 40 Roshei Yeshiva, Mashpiim and Halachic authorities were delivering their Pilpulim in Gemara and Halacha.

The first session’s emcee Rabbi Sholom Ber Chaikin of Cleveland, Ohio, was seen trying to bring to order a debate between Oholei Torah Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yisroel Friedman and London Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Hertz.

Yarchei Kallah, the Talmudic-era Torah learning gathering, was renewed some 30 years ago to honor Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson OBM, the Kabbalist and father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

In numerous instances, the Rebbe expressed his joy and satisfaction, noting the gathering is surely giving his saintly father “great nachas ruach.”

The host of the 4 day summit is Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, chairman of the camp and Agudas Chassidei Chabad International, who noted that “this is the only forum for Gedolei Torah of such caliber.”

The rabbis who came from New York, New Jersey, Chicago as well as from Europe, Israel and Argentina are enjoying the hospitality of the camp directed by R’ Yoseph Futerfas and the meals catered by the camp’s chef R’ Shlomo Futerfas.

The summit is organized by Yehuda Ceitlin (otherwise familiar as the editor of COLlive.com) who is being assisted by his brother Mendy Ceitlin, Shmuli Galperin, Binyomin Deren, Mendel Aisenbach and the dedicated staff of Gan Israel.