This week’s Leil Shishi at Yavneh Boys was a truly memorable evening, combining Torah learning, meaningful reflection, and inspiring creativity. Rabbi Cohen began the night with an impactful Dvar Torah, tying the theme of Achdus to the calendar and the parsha. He noted that Asarah B'Teves marks the anniversary of the brothers selling Yosef - a moment of division in our history. In contrast, this week’s Parsha highlights the final reconciliation and unity of the brothers. True Achdus comes not from uniformity but from appreciating the unique qualities of each individual, a message particularly relevant to our students.
Following this introduction, the boys explored the significance of each Shevet. Using their Chumashim, they researched the origins of the Shevatim's names and the Berachos given to them by both Yaakov Avinu and Moshe Rabbeinu. This was followed by delving into Midrashic descriptions of each Shevet’s stone and flag, revealing the distinct identity of each tribe.
The evening concluded with a hands-on creative project inspired by Marc Chagall’s famous stained-glass windows in the Hadassah Hospital, which depict the Shevatim. The boys designed their own beautiful "windows" representing the twelve tribes, bringing together the textual and visual elements they had studied.
The results were stunning. These colourful creations now adorn the windows of Yavneh, transforming our school with vibrant reminders of the unique contributions of each Shevet and the overarching importance of Achdus.

Wow! Wow! We are delighted to announce the incredible success the Yavneh Boys fundraiser for the community charity, "Special Spirits!", providing programmes, activities and more for children with special needs in our community. 
 
Boys in Years 7-9YB demonstrated outstanding dedication, making calls to family and friends with enthusiasm and determination. In one evening, they raised an impressive total of over £4,000! These funds will support "Special Spirits" and their amazing work .

We are so proud of the boys’ efforts and teamwork, and we extend our utmost gratitude to all the generous donors who contributed.  

This past Thursday evening, our school hosted a special Leil Shishi programme marking the fourth yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks זצ"ל. The evening celebrated his remarkable legacy as a transformative leader in Jewish education and thought.
 
​Rabbi Cohen opened the programme by sharing how Rabbi Sacks, as a young university student in Cambridge, was inspired by a personal challenge from the Lubavitcher Rebbe זצ"ל to take responsibility for Klal Yisrael and make a lasting impact on the world. This encounter ignited a lifetime of impact, shaping Jewish education and spreading Torah values globally. Rabbi Rickman, a Rabbi Sacks Scholar, spoke about Rabbi Sacks’ profound influence and his emphasis on making a kiddush Hashem. He encouraged participants to follow Rabbi Sacks’ example of living with purpose and creating a kiddush Hashem through our actions.
 
The boys then explored Rabbi Sacks’ teachings through video clips on Tefillah, Torah, Mitzvos, Kiddush Hashem, and Eretz Yisrael, moving between groups to engage deeply with his insights. The engaging discussions brought Rabbi Sacks’ profound messages to life, allowing everyone to connect with his Torah and legacy on a personal level. The evening concluded with delicious pizza and meaningful conversations.
 
Rabbi Sacks זצ"ל left an enduring legacy of inspiring others to build a brighter world through Torah and mitzvos. May the memory of Rabbi Sacks זצ"ל continue to inspire Klal Yisrael and bring Bracha to our generation.

Tonight's Leil Shishi event was a remarkable experience for our students, combining Torah learning with engaging, hands-on activities. The evening began with a fascinating introduction by Rabbi Cohen, who connected this week's Parsha to our theme. He explained that when Avraham asked Sarah to prepare cakes using three se'ah of flour, he highlighted the significance of Torah measurements. But just how much is a se'ah?
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To make the concept of Shiurim—the measurements required for various Mitzvos—more tangible, we took a quick quiz. Students tested their knowledge on the measurements needed for ten mitzvos: for example, a revi’is of wine for Kiddush, double that for netilas yadayim, and the different heights required for an Eruv fence, menorah placement versus a Shofar and Sukkah. We delved deeper into the varying opinions of measurements, specifically contrasting the smaller Shiurim of R’ Chaim Naeh with the larger Shiurim of the Chazon Ish. Our learning also included a brief overview of these two Gedolim and their impact on halachic rulings.

Following the introduction, students broke into four interactive stations, each offering a unique opportunity to explore these concepts further: Students rotated through four engaging stations: measuring liquid Shiurim with coloured water to compare different revi'is size – marking our own Revi’is measuring cups, constructing custom rulers to mark tefachim and amos according to various opinions, weighing matza pieces to determine the correct size of a kezayis by weight (the Sefardi way), and using matza-meal to calculate the volume of a kezayis (the Ashkenazi way). Each station provided a hands-on opportunity to understand and visualize halachic measurements in a practical, memorable way.

The event wrapped up with everyone gathering for hotdogs and bentching, a perfect way to conclude a night filled with learning, discovery, and delicious food. Our Leil Shishi program not only deepened students' understanding of Shiurim but also made Torah learning engaging and memorable. We look forward to many more nights of meaningful exploration together!

It was a pleasure to welcome back Rabbi Yisroel Meir Shaftesely from the Kollel LeDayonus, who presented our latest Kollel Challenge. After Shacharis, Rabbi Shaftesely delivered an engaging talk on the essential Halachos a businessman must know to conduct business with integrity and ethics.
The Gemara reminds us that the very first question we will be asked upon reaching Shamayim is: “Nasatah v’nasata be’emunah?” – Did you conduct your business dealings honestly? This powerful message underscores the importance of ethical behaviour in every aspect of our lives.
In the previous Kollel Challenge, we were thrilled to receive answers from boys in every single class. We eagerly anticipate seeing the thoughtful responses to this new challenge!
Please click here for this month’s challenge: https://www.yavnehboys.com/challenge.html#/