“Friday Boys” Organize a Dinner

by a participant

Magical. That is the word I would use to describe the energy, the atmosphere and the sense of unity that was felt at the annual Mivtzoim Dinner at Yeshivas Lubavitch Toronto 5777/2017.

The boys at YLT visit over 1,800 Jewish business, stores and offices every Fridayfor the past twenty years. They build relationships and connections that last for years as they take a bus, train or walk, just to help another Jew put on Teffilin, do a Mitzvah, or simply to hear a kind word and a pleasant schmooze with the beloved “Friday boys”.

This year was especially important as it commemorated fifty years of the Rebbe’s call that every Jew be given the opportunity to put on Teffilin, resulting in the greater safety of the Jewish people.

The Yeshiva was transformed from a study hall to a beautiful banquet hall, complete with stunning drapes, colored lights and of course seating for the 150 people in attendance.

The event was arranged completely by the Bochurim, headed by Daniel Namdar and Yaakov Landa. As well as Shluchim Yossi Bogomilsky and Shmuli Laufer whose invaluable assistance helped the preparations run smoothly.

Although the entire Yeshiva was involved, some names that stood out were Yankel Oster, Yisrolik Willhelm, Tzvi Cohen, Zalman Oster, Mendel Fayershteyn, Dovid Kastel and Rafael Bigio.

The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while those that hadn’t yet got the chance to put on Teffilin that day put on Teffilin. As people began taking their seats, all were entertained by the incredibly talented MC and community member Mordechai Chemel who began by introducing the event and even had a roll call of all the areas in Toronto impacted by the Yeshiva.

Between the eloquent speakers, including the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Akiva Wagner, the director of student outreach, Rabbi Mendy Liberman, the editor and director of the weekly lamplighter, Yigal Bigun, guest speaker Giddy Mamann, and a few words by Mr. Ronnie Strasser the crowd watched a video presentation commemorating the fifty years of ‘Mivtza Tefillin’ and depicting the continued efforts today by the boys at YLT.

The guests thoroughly enjoyed as the course was served all catered by Nachman Perl and then to finish the event spontaneous dancing broke out to the lively tunes played by Mendy Felberman and Mordechai Zirkind as the men joyfully celebrated together with their Yeshiva friends.

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