Over 700 young boys plus an estimated 300 rabbonim, fathers
and helpers attended the Grand Ovos Uvonim Melave Malka at
the Hasmonean Girls School hall motzei Shabbos parshas
Vayikra. It was the closing event of the winter program
that operates from 22 centers in North West London involving
over 800 boys and their fathers.
It was most moving to hear so many young boys reciting
Tehillim with Dayan G. Lopian who opened the
proceedings. Mr. Alex Strom chaired the busy evening program,
which included a performance by the Menorah Primary School
choir under the guidance of Reb Sholom Erlanger and a Melave
Malka. Father and sons joined in a quiz, and the boys were
treated to a personalized certificate and sefer (for
all children who attended more than 15 of the 21 weekly
sessions) as well as a going home souvenir.
The highlight of the event was an inspiring address by Rabbi
P. Roberts who spoke movingly of the challenge of fighting
and destroying Amolek. "How do we know who he is, how do we
fight him and how do we know when we have won?" he asked. "It
is only through the learning of Torah by children that we can
score a victory."
Special thanks were given to all those who helped organize
the event — especially Mr. Michael Hommel, Mr. Yitzchok
Katz and the leaders of each center for the entire winter
program. It is estimated that the Ovos Uvonim program
resulted in some 15,000 hours of learning during the
season.
The event was graced by local rabbonim Rabbi D. Cohn, Rabbi
A. David, Rabbi A. Doron, Rabbi Y. M. Friedmann, Rabbi R.
Godlevsky, Rabbi D. Halpern, Rabbi C. Halpern, Dayan G.
Lopian, Rabbi A. Plancey, Rabbi S. chneebalg and Rabbi S.
Simons.
