Boca’s First Smicha Ordination

Over 200 people gathered Wednesday night at Chabad of Boca Raton to witness the Chag HaSmicha – Ordination of the 14 members of inaugural class of Machon Menachem.

A palpable sense of history pervaded the air as the first ever Rabbis to be trained and ordained in Palm Beach county received their Semicha.

Rabbi Ruvi New – Dean of the Yeshiva, chaired the evening and introduced the speakers including: County Commissioner, Steve Abrams Councilwoman Constance Scott, and Rabbi Zalman Bukiet, co-Director of Chabad of Boca Raton.

Prior to his remarks, Rabbi Berel Gurary– Rosh Yeshiva, received a rousing ovation and applause – testmanent to his tireless dedication and devotion to the success of the program and the individual attention he showered upon each one of the bochurim throughout the year.

Ken Markman and Jacob Honig spoke on behalf of the members of the Boca community who learned with the bochurim at the Yeshiva Night programs.

Mendel Abramowitz spoke on behalf of the bochurim, with wit, wisdom and a profound sense of gratitude he and his classmates wished to express to the entire community.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Aaron Lieberman, Shliach to Lauderhill, Florida, which was followed by a video address bt the Rav HaMasmich, Rabbi Dovid Shochet of Toronto.

The formal program was followed by a Farbrengen with the participation of the bochurim, parents and members of the community.

A beautiful journal was distributed to all and Founders Awards were presented to Ari and Gracy Kugler and Mendy and Leah Schurder.