Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael Sends 12 Graduates Into the World

Both change and consistency are woven into the fabric of Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael. To help create that fabric, students, as well as the staff and teachers, work together in a similar way that warps and wefts create a pattern.

That metaphor was used to describe the 12 members of Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael’s 13th graduating class on Sunday, June 24 at Congregation Beth Jacob’s Heritage Hall. This marks the 16th year the school will complete the education of young men.

In attendance were Andy and Leah Lewis who were honored for their longstanding commitment and sponsorship of different programs at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael. The graduation of the Lewis’ fourth son, Avraham Lewis, marks the family’s last graduate from the school.

The graduation ceremony also highlighted Rabbi Shimon Wiggins’ last year teaching at the yeshiva. “The last 14 years have been incredibly fulfilling. The enterprise of teaching and nurturing has been rewarding … Thank you all for your affection and support,” he said.

Menahel Rabbi Avrohom Tkatch imparted three principles for the graduates to walk away with: to have a good eye, which translates to always looking out for the good in other people, an awe-inspiring spirit, which means to always give back, and a limited desire, which signifies being humble.

He added: “throughout your years at yeshiva you have been led very carefully on a path, given a very specific direction, values, traditions and taught ways to make decisions and to think about what you want to do next. As you walk away from your high school, from Yeshiva and go out into the big world, you won’t be under the careful guide of the past. The future is there to be on your own.”

Graduate Moshe Bari reflected on his time spent at the school and what he learned: “Yeshiva provides us the framework. It gives us the values and beliefs and gives us a deeper understanding of some sort of greater purpose. It is within that framework that we make use of what we are given. We discover our role and our mission. This time I am exiting the same room knowing who I am and the role I want to play.”

Class of 2018 Graduates
Moshe Alterman
Moshe Bari
Moshe Gerchikov
Hainoch Baruch Kayser
Josh Leff
Avraham Lewis
Mordechai Nir
Binyomin Pearlman
Yisrael Meir Tkatch
Elazar Simcha Warga
Kalman Warga
Tuvi Warga