Congratulations Year 12s Jacob Maslin and Yoel Levine for completing the Jerusalem half-marathon and raising needed funds for Shalva, (שַׁלְוָה). Shalva is a non-profit organisation supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities and their families in Israel.

​We are proud of you both.

In preparation for Pesach, students in Years 7-9 at Yavneh Boys had the incredible opportunity to learn about and participate in the mitzvah of baking their own matzah. Under the guidance of Rabbi Shmuley Brown, the boys engaged in a hands-on experience, from learning about the significance of matzah, Halachos and different traditions to rolling out the dough and baking it fresh.
 
This special session allowed students to connect with the traditions of Pesach in a meaningful and practical way. They explored the importance of the 18-minute process, ensuring the dough did not become chametz, and gained a deeper appreciation for this central mitzvah.
 
​It was an enriching and enjoyable experience, bringing the lessons of Pesach to life in the classroom and strengthening the students' connection to their Jewish heritage. Well done to all the boys for their enthusiasm and participation!

Last night’s Leil Shishi was an evening of insight, engagement, and hands-on learning as we were honoured to be visited by Dayan Yossi Moore from the Manchester Beis Din.
The evening began with a special presentation, as Dayan Moore awarded last week’s Shul Challenge winners with personalised Siddurim, recognising their dedication and commitment.
Following the award ceremony, Dayan Moore delivered a fascinating shiur on the complexities of selling Chametz before Pesach. He provided an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of the Beis Din on Erev Pesach, shedding light on the intricate halachic and legal mechanisms involved in ensuring a valid Mechiras Chametz.
The learning then became even more interactive as the boys split into groups, each led by a Rebbe, to explore different forms of Kinyan (halachic acquisition). Each group focused on a distinct method. Some learnt about Kesef, acquiring an item through monetary payment, while others examined Shtar, the use of a legal document to formalise a transaction. Another group explored Chatzer, the concept of acquiring something by virtue of it being placed in one’s property. The boys also discovered Agav, where ownership of land automatically transfers moveable items along with it. Suddar, the practice of barter using an exchange of an item like a garment, was demonstrated, as well as Odisa, where an acknowledgement itself acts as an acquisition. Finally, the group discussing Tekias Kaf appreciated the significance of a handshake as a binding agreement.
To make the learning experience even more tangible, the boys had the opportunity to act out each type of Kinyan, taking on roles as Dayanim and non-Jewish purchasers. This hands-on approach brought the halachos to life in a way that was both educational and enjoyable.
The evening concluded with a well-deserved serving of pizza and chips, providing the perfect ending to a fantastic night of Torah and camaraderie.
A huge thank you to Dayan Moore for sharing his invaluable time and wisdom and for answering all the boys' questions with patience and clarity. His visit truly enriched our understanding of the halachic underpinnings of transactions, leaving the boys inspired and more knowledgeable about the depth of Torah law.

Celebrating our 'Shul Design' winners. They were presented with personalised Siddurim by Dayan Yossie Moore. 

Last night's Leil Shishi was nothing short of extraordinary. As we conclude the Parshiyos detailing the construction of the Mishkan, we took on an exciting challenge of our own - building the ultimate Mikdash Me’at.
Rabbi Cohen opened the evening with an inspiring introduction, highlighting how Betzalel, the chief architect of the Mishkan, was only thirteen years old. He challenged the boys to see themselves as the Betzalels of this generation - builders of the future, shaping the spiritual spaces of their communities.
Each of the Yavneh Rabbanim passionately presented different aspects of what makes a shul special, encouraging the boys to consider these elements in their own designs. Rabbi Schwarz spoke about the importance of obtaining a mehudar Sefer Torah written by a Yerei Shamayim, ensuring that the heart of the shul is crafted with true sanctity. Rabbi Wulwick emphasised the need to create a Makom Torah, incorporating an extensive library and even utilizing digital resources like Otzar HaChochma to enhance Torah learning. Rabbi Simmonds highlighted the significance of kovea makom l’tefilaso, stressing the importance of having a fixed place for davening and the consistency it brings to one’s connection with Hashem. Rav Elad explained the halachic requirement for a shul to have twelve windows which enhances the spiritual atmosphere. Rabbi Schwalbe urged the boys not to settle for a minimalistic mechitza but to ensure it meets higher standards, preserving the sanctity of the tefillah environment. Finally, Rabbi Rickman connected the Aron Kodesh and Bimah to their representations of the Aron and Mizbeach in the Mishkan, highlighting their significance in the overall design of a shul.
The students were then divided into groups and given a budget to design their own ideal shul. Creativity flowed as they worked through the logistics, ensuring their Mikdash Me’at would be both inspiring and functional. As the groups worked through their designs, the energy in the Beis HaMedrash was electric. Some boys found creative ways to stretch their budgets, and with the encouragement and enthusiasm of Bobby Wagon and Elisha Scheftz, the excitement only grew. Their infectious ruach and support motivated others to think outside the box, bringing an extra spark to the challenge.
The Beis HaMedrash buzzed with energy as each group worked meticulously on their designs. Rabbi Joseph ran the “supply shop,” where boys could purchase essential materials for their projects. The shop was constantly bustling, as students negotiated, bartered, and stretched their budgets to maximize their resources.
Then came the moment of truth: the presentations. Each of the ten groups confidently pitched their vision, describing their ideal Mikdash Me’at with impressive detail and passion. Their creativity and realism convinced us that we were witnessing the future shul presidents, gabbaim, and Rabbanim in the making.
Mazel tov to the winning team, Beis B’Natan, consisting of Toli Hasleton, Natanel Rose, Noam Rose, and Alex Kopirovski. Their outstanding teamwork, devotion, and particularly their focus on incorporating and engaging children in their shul set them apart as the winners of the evening.
The ruach throughout the night was truly palpable, as the boys embraced the spirit of the challenge with enthusiasm and determination. The evening wrapped up with well-earned pizza and chips, capping off another unforgettable Leil Shishi.
This event was a testament to the creativity, leadership, and passion of our students, and we can’t wait to see how they take these lessons forward in their own communities!

Purim at Yavneh Boys is always a time of joy, excitement, and learning, and this year’s Leil Shishi event was no exception. The evening was filled with engaging activities designed to challenge the boys' knowledge of the Megillah and Purim traditions while ensuring plenty of fun and friendly competition.
One of the highlights of the evening was the storyboard challenge, where each boy received fourteen pictures depicting scenes from the Purim story and had to race to arrange them in the correct chronological order. The fastest and most accurate participant was rewarded with a token. In Purim Pictionary, boys had to sketch and guess Purim-related words and concepts, with the winner of each round earning a token for their efforts. Another station focused on Purim Halacha and Minhagim, where participants learned a paragraph of information before answering ten multiple-choice questions to test their retention and understanding. The final challenge tested their familiarity with the text of the Megillah through a "מי אמר למי" game, where they had to identify who said specific quotes and to whom.
After an evening of intense competition - and pizza & chips - Benjamin Wacks emerged as the overall winner, securing the grand prize. We’re sure he’ll put his Amazon voucher to good use! Well done to all the boys who participated and contributed to the lively Purim atmosphere, making it a truly memorable Leil Shishi.

Our last Leil Shishi was a beautiful celebration of Tu Bishvat, focusing not just on the fruits of the land but on personal growth through giving. Rabbi Schwalbe opened the evening by explaining how Tu Bishvat marks the start of the terumos u’maasros cycle, reminding us that just as trees give selflessly, we too should strive to grow by giving to others. With this message in mind, the boys engaged in hands-on chessed activities, thanks to the support of Sophie Woolfstein and GIFT, who provided materials and ensured the packages would reach those in need.
One of the most meaningful activities of the night was sandwich-making for a local homeless shelter. The boys worked as a team, carefully preparing cheese and tomato sandwiches while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and respect. More than just an act of kindness, this initiative was a true kiddush Hashem, demonstrating that our responsibility to help extends beyond our own community. The message of Avraham Avinu’s legendary hospitality came to life as the boys reflected on the power of welcoming and feeding those in need, regardless of their background.
Other stations included assembling snack packs and holiday packs for children, ensuring that families struggling financially could still provide treats and activities for their children. Boys also wrote heartfelt letters to the elderly at Heathlands, bringing warmth and comfort to those who may feel forgotten. Through these acts, they not only provided for others but also internalized the lesson that chessed is about seeing and responding to the needs of those around us.
The evening was a tremendous success, leaving the boys inspired by the impact they could have with just a small effort. Tu Bishvat is a reminder that growth takes time, but every act of giving plants seeds that will bear fruit for years to come.

Students from Years 7-10YB enjoyed a productive and enjoyable activity day, packed with engaging team-building exercises and thought-provoking learning experiences.  

The day began with Shacharis followed by breakfast. Afterward, the boys watched an introduction video explaining the exciting team-building activities ahead. They then headed outdoors, where they worked in groups to complete challenges designed to foster teamwork, planning, and communication. Each activity required strategic thinking and collaboration, with teams being scored in these key areas.  

Following a full morning of activities, the boys enjoyed a well-deserved lunch break before regrouping in the Beis Hamedrash for the afternoon session. This session featured a fascinating and interactive learning experience led by the Manchester Kollel L’Dayonus. Students were presented with a case study and then split into groups, each assigned a different role: defendants, prosecutors, or Dayonim (judges). Each group studied the halachic aspects of their arguments together with a Kollel Member before presenting their cases.  

The event concluded with a Beis Din presentation, held in a specially arranged courtroom setting, complete with a gavel. Boys took on their roles, presenting their cases before an audience, while Kollel members observed and scored their performances based on presentation, argumentation, and halachic accuracy. The winning teams will be announced bez'H next week.  

Thank you to everyone involved in organising this wonderful activity day and ensuring the boys had a fulfilling, educational, and fun-filled experience. ​

This week’s Leil Shishi at Yavneh was an evening of engaging Torah learning, centred around Kerias Yam Suf and Shiras HaYam. Each Rabbi presented a different perspective from international educators, sharing insights that deepened our understanding of this pivotal moment in Jewish history.
 
Rather than a traditional Shiur, the night featured a multimedia approach - each Rabbi played a unique video of a Dvar Torah on the Parsha, guiding the boys through the ideas and explaining their relevance. This was followed by an interactive online quiz, testing the students on what they had learned.
 
​Congratulations to our quiz winners, Joel Shalom and Tzvi Weil, who demonstrated keen insight and attentiveness throughout the evening.
 
Of course, no Leil Shishi is complete without a warm and hearty conclusion. The night ended with delicious kugel and chulent, bringing both learning and camaraderie together in true Yavneh spirit.
We look forward to another inspiring Leil Shishi next week!