Dr. David and Mrs. Talia Eis
By Rochelle Maruch Miller
Since the inception of its overseas program over four decades ago, Yeshivat Sha’alvim has reaped nachat from close to 3,000 alumni. As the yeshiva’s life force, these alumni are the embodiment of its core ideals and philosophies. In their daily lives these alumni exemplify the principles imparted to them during their time at Sha’alvim within their own communities and share them with others, serving as inspiration to family and friends alike. Exemplars of ahavat Yisrael and chesed, they are leaders of industry and community, soldiers and teachers, rabbis, and community leaders. It is with immense pride that the yeshiva continues to be honored and humbled by the opportunity to teach and learn with each of these outstanding individuals.
At Sha’alvim’s overseas program, students from around the world develop the study habits, learning skills, and middot that shape their characters and guide them throughout their lives while deepening their connection to Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.
Through Sha’alvim’s unique atmosphere of warmth and commitment, the yeshiva aims to produce a ben Torah, mentsch, and talmid chacham of the highest caliber. Yeshivat Sha’alvim is a high-level hesder yeshiva that is acclaimed for its dynamic and high-level learning program, unique educational philosophy, and accomplished graduates.
Sha’alvim recognizes that Torah study and observance are integral components of Jewish life at every stage in every calling. Yeshivat Sha’alvim prepares its students for a life committed to Torah and the Jewish people.
For almost 30 years, the Moty Hornstein Institute for Overseas Students has provided young men from the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, England, Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia with the opportunity to learn side-by-side with Israeli hesder students.
Ten years ago, a new dream was realized that would serve as an ideal complement to the yeshiva—the establishment of Sha’alvim for Women. The program for young women to study for one or more years in seminary has blossomed into a preeminent institution of higher learning and has earned its place at the top of the list of women’s seminary programs. Sha’alvim for Women (SFW) proudly boasts over 500 alumnae.
On Tuesday evening, June 24, Yeshivat Sha’alvim will once again have the opportunity to celebrate with its alumni and the unit that they have created, collectively known as the “Sha’alvim Family.” “This year we are afforded the uncommon chance to celebrate five honorees and two unique groups within our family: 49 newly ordained rabbis and the first class of Sha’alvim for Women,” said Rabbi Bini Maryles, executive director of Sha’alvim. This year Sha’alvim is proud to honor Dr. Jonathan (’90-’91) and Mrs. Sarah Paley as Guests of Honor; Rabbi Mordechai (Evan, ’04-’05) and Mrs. Shoshana Gershon as Rabbinic Alumnus of the Year, celebrating the recent ordination of 49 alumni; Dr. David and Mrs. Talia (Miller, ’05) Eis as Sha’alvim for Women Alumna of the Year; First Class, Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Sha’alvim for Women and the Class of 2005; Ms. Elisheva Frist (’05) as Sha’alvim for Women Service Award; and the Joel Paul Group, Willie Hochman, CEO and Joel Paul, as Corporate Honoree.
The evening will serve to pay tribute to these outstanding individuals for their personal accomplishments and their ongoing connection to Sha’alvim. The evening will also provide the yeshiva with the forum to properly recognize and celebrate both the pioneering spirit of the first class of Sha’alvim for Women students and the commitment to Torah study of its newly ordained rabbis.
They plan for the evening to be both a celebratory success as well as a source for important funds that will allow Sha’alvim to continue to serve as a catalyst for young men and women who are leaders for the future.
“Yeshivat Sha’alvim is a premier institution of higher Torah education. Yet what is remarkable about Sha’alvim is not the higher level of Torah being studied within the walls of the beit midrash,” says Rabbi Mordechai Gershon, Rabbinic Alumnus of the Year. “There is no lack of yeshivot that have achieved similar academic excellence. The unique characteristic of Sha’alvim is the tremendous emphasis that is placed on its students to make great contributions to the global Jewish community outside the walls of the beit midrash.
“This emphasis has helped to produce countless professionals and lay leaders of Klal Yisrael. Indeed, the yeshiva is very proud of its alumni, many of whom have become roshei yeshiva, community rabbis, educators, heads of organizations, and committed lay leaders who are true bnei Torah. Please support a yeshiva where ahavat Torah and ahavat Eretz Yisrael are not only taught but lived.” v