By Diane Wolfson – Pretoria
This past week Pretoria’s Yeshiva Machon L’Hora’a celebrated its 13th Smicha ordination ceremony where the current group of Bochurim received smicha in one of the most intensive programs directed by Rabbi Levi Wineberg, Rosh Yeshiva.
In keeping with tradition, Rabbi Wineberg gave a brief, humorous description of each new Rabbi before calling them up to receive their certificate.
This Yeshiva is now well and truly entrenched in the community. What an exciting program where the bochurim get well and truly involved in the community and all members, young and old.
Saying goodbye each year does not get any easier. While bochurim come from all over the world, it was good to see siblings of previous years’ bochurim this year, as well as the sons of Rabbi Levi Wineberg and Rabbi Sholom Ber Groner graduating.
Interestingly, two bochurim from overseas, Yoni Lewkowicz from Arizona is the product of ex-Pretorian Rabbi Billy Lewkowicz and Avi Junik (from London) is the son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Junik who attended Torah Academy Yeshiva 27 years ago!
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Junik from London spoke on behalf of all the parents in thanking the Pretoria Jewish community for opening their homes and their hearts to the Bochurim over the year(s) and giving them a home from home experience.
Rabbi Levi Wineberg made special mention of Rabbi Mendel Goldman, the shadchan “who took a program without a home to a home without a program” which has now come of age and celebrating its Bar Mitzvah year.
Former graduates, Rabbis Dovid Rabin, Mottie Hadar, Yisroel Stein, Moshe Medalie and Yosef Chaim Barber travelled from as far as Mauritius to also attend this eventful evening.
Pretoria looks forward to welcoming the new intake soon.
the bestest ever!!!!!!!
Well done boykie. Sorry, Rabbi 😉
The smicha program in Pretoria is a model moisad in Lubavitch. Rabbi Wineberg is an amazing educator and should be a consultant and role model for all lubavitcher educational institutions around the world. South Africa, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the hundreds of bochirim that have been through the program are lucky to have him and wish him hatzlacha and bracha for the years ahead!
Top bloke. mazal tov
This program is the best smicha program in the world!
The experience that Pretoria gives to the bochrim are 2nd to none!
The year in Pretoria changed my life!
Thank you Rabbi Wineberg, Rabbi Fox and the whole Pretoria community!!!
Wednesday night burger night.
your awesome!!
looking great!
A job well done! You should use it for good. Mazal Tov Shternie.
from your #1 fan club
We are so proud of you. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you Rabbi Weinberg for your amazing teaching and guidance. You bring out the best in all your Bocharim. Thank you Pretoria for hosting such a wonderful program . We are all so grateful .
From your friends in Baltimore
I spy my nephew Aron.
Regards from your Aunt in Crown Heights.
Mazel Tov to all the new Rabbonim and the entire Pretoria community. I’m glad to see that the smicha program is still going strong. Great to see some familiar faces 🙂
G. Levin
After a year away from home – it is great to have you back.
Mazel Tov on your accomplishment.
Best bochur in the world
mazal tov and kol hakavod!! Zalman gooodman i miss u!
Hi Aron,
It’s nice to see you and your accomplishments! Hatzlacha in all of your endeavors,
your friend,
Zelly
Levi Brown we’re so proud of you!!!
Looking sharp!!!
Go Juniks we love you AVI!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well done and mazal tov to my little bro. davo
Mazel tov rabbi yoni!! You are the greatest new rabbi!! Thanks for everything.
Thank you yoni for all you did in our community and for the kids. You are greatly missed!!
mendy wilansky you are looking great