Students and Parents Celebrate the Accomplishment of Six Matmidim Juniors

After Shacharit, parents and the entire eleventh grade celebrated the accomplishment of the six junior students in the Matmidim program, who all completed Masechet Makkot. The students studied this text independently, on their own time, and took weekly quizzes. To honor their impressive accomplishment, each of the six students presented an original dvar Torah.

In Leo E.'s dvar Torah, he noted the Talmud's famous statement about free will and a person's capability to achieve greatness based on his or her personal decisions. Alex S. highlighted a rule regarding punishments that stresses the need to respect other people and their dignity. Aryeh G. shared the perspective of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau on when the Jewish court system accepts a person's repentance and when it does not, and the implications that this has on the philosophical purpose of legal punishments in Jewish law. Avi F.K. quoted a passage stressing the importance of respecting teachers of Torah, as they benefit society with their educational leadership. Rachel B. discussed the importance that Talmudic rabbis saw in consolidating the many values of the Torah into clear and concise mission statements, in order to effectively guide people in their development toward greatness. Serena O. offered an inspiring Talmud quote that highlights the positive effect that even the smallest of mitzvot has on each person and on the world.

After this presentation, everyone partook in a celebratory breakfast, and Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz gave a shiur to parents in attendance.

This siyum and shiur were sponsored in memory of Chana bat HaChaver Benyamin z"l. May her neshama have an aliyah.