tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040387610102681872024-03-13T08:49:39.227-07:00Young Israel of Valley Village-Beis Midrash Toras HaShem-The happenings of a quaint Orthodox Synagogue in Valley Village, CA led by its spiritual leader, Rabbi Zvi BlockUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904038761010268187.post-2668275066157025632011-09-20T09:58:00.001-07:002011-09-25T11:15:46.175-07:0038 Years of Community service<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 36pt;">33 Years of Toras HaShem<o:p></o:p></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1976</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:placename st="on">Aish</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">HaTorah</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:placetype> founded with 18 students in the Sephardic Congregation Adat Yeshurun in <st1:place st="on">North Hollywood</st1:place>. A unique and sophisticated educational program is developed offering a maximum of 20 different courses.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1977</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Beginning of the Campus Outreach Program created by Rabbi Zvi Block. The program has maintained officially chartered clubs on 15 major college campuses including those in <st1:city st="on">Irvine</st1:city>, <st1:city st="on">San Diego</st1:city>, <st1:city st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:city>, in addition to USC and UCLA in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1978</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Summer Institute is established with over 75 young men and women attending classes all day. The summer program concluded with a special Tisha B’Av program featured on NBC News.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1979</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">The start of “Aish HaTorah Presents” radio program on KGIL. The program includes presentations on aspects of the Jewish holidays and on current religious and social issues. Additionally, Aish HaTorah is featured on various religious programs on TV. Acquisition of the Aish HaTorah facility at <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">12422 Chandler Boulevard</st1:address></st1:street> in <st1:place st="on">North Hollywood</st1:place>. Rosh HaShanna services attended by well over 100 people. Shabbos and <st1:place st="on">Holiday</st1:place> celebrations become a fixture. Aish HaTorah’s 2<sup>nd</sup> Malava Malka honoring the world-renowned HaRav Aaron Soloveitchik.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1980</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Dedication brunch at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Klaus Odenheimer honoring Ira Braverman and Mort Rubin. Event attended by over 200 people. Aish HaTorah receives special recognition as a spiritual home to young people by Joel Wachs, President of the City Council. Aish HaTorah receives an endorsement from the Jewish Federation Council of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Jewish Education for its important contribution to Adult Education.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1981</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Aish HaTorah earns the endorsement of the world renowned Rabbi Moshe Feinstein as an institution of high quality academics as well as a strong inspirational atmosphere for Jewish growth. A Sefer Torah is secured though the efforts of Dr. Ben Lesin, Mr. Jerry Ziger and Mr. Abe Solomon. The Institute also purchased the adjoining building thereby doubling the size of the facility. Thanksgiving Day weekend convention held in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Malibu</st1:place></st1:city> with over 200 students attending intensive workshops. High spirits mark the program as an outstanding success. Rabbi Block presents a paper of Aish HaTorah’s six successful years of outreach to a Rabbinical Seminar sponsored by Yeshiva University of New York.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1982</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Establishment of Marriage and Family Seminar series to provide counseling, classes and introductions to young adults reaching the level of marital maturity. The Board of Directors is established by Mr. Harold W. Rubin, President.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1983</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Aish HaTorah receives recognition from local civic and governmental officials including Governor Deukmejian. Rabbi Zvi Block speaks to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in April as Aish HaTorah becomes politically active. Aish HaTorah celebrates 200<sup>th</sup> student going to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> to study at an institution of higher Jewish learning. This program of aliya is the most successful of its kind in the West Coast. Aish HaTorah celebrates its First Annual Banquet in June, honoring Dr. and Mrs. Klaus Odenheimer. Chairperons are Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Levy and Mr. and Mrs. Heshie Reich. Young Israel of Northridge, the first Orthodox synagogue serving the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">North</st1:placename><st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>, is founded by Aish HaTorah students and is assisted by the Institute.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1984</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:placename st="on">Yeshiva</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> asks Rabbi Block to offer Aish HaTorah classes at their Jewish Studies Institute, recognizing the unique success of Aish HaTorah programs. Chaburah study groups established, reaching hundreds of people with traditional Judaism in their homes. Aish HaTorah celebrates its Second Annual Banquet, honoring Mr. Jerome Ziger. Hesed Awards are given to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bobker, Mr. and Mrs. Sy Harari, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Abikzer.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1985</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Aish HaTorah honors Joshua Levy, Heshie Reich, and Harold Rubin at its third annual banquet. Group of Aish HaTorah students and suppots form Beit HaMidrash of Woodland Hills, the first Orthodox synagogue serving the<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"> West</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1986</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Aish HaTorah honors Rabbi Zvi Block for 10 years of devoted service. Chesed awards are given to Mr and Mrs. Irving and Ralph Rubenstein.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1987</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the internationally acclaimed <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Simon</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Wiesenthal</st1:placename><st1:placename st="on">Holoaust</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Memorial</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, is the keynote speaker at the banquet honoring Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Diamond. Rabbi Yehuda Bukspan and Rabbi Marvin Sugarman receive the Chesed Awards for their community work and help to Aish HaTorah. In the first annual event in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> organized by Rabbi Yisrael Fabian, Rabbi Block is greeted by over 100 Aish HaTorah alumni.Rabbi Block presents a collegiate level Jewish studies course for N.C.S.Y. youth groups based on Aish HaTorah’s curriculum.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1988</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem and son of the Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, speaks to crowd capacity at Aish HaTorah. Rabbi Block speaks at the first annual Westwood Kehilla Torah Conference on “Child Abuse.” A Aish HaTorah sponsored community Purim celebration at Cal State University Northridge Hillel attracts 500 people from across the Valley. Rabbi Blcok lectures for Chizuk L’Limud Torah Foundation at Cal State Northridge. He is also featured in special programs sponsored by Ralph and Brna Alpert. Rabbi Block also delivers a weekly lecture in Beit HaMidrash of Woodland Hills.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1989</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">guet speaker Zev Yaroslavsky. Big Bear Shabbaton retreat attracts 200 people from across <st1:place st="on">Southern California</st1:place>. World renowned Chassidic masters, the Bialer and Nikolsburger Rebbe began a yearly tradition in Aish HaTorah. Rabbi Block is featured regularly on the Jim Simon talk show on KGIL Radio, speaking on various Jewish issues. World-famous Rabbi Mendel Kessin speaks at Aish HaTorah about Loshon Hara. Aish HaTorah launches a campus outreach program at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Pierce</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Aish HaTorah participates in the first International Jewish Festival with a highly popular booth.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1990</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Bar Mitzvah Anniversary banquet honors the “Ner Mitzvot.” Rabbi Jack Simcha Cohen, President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and chairman of the Orthodox Union’s Rabbinical Advisory Board, and Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Simon</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Wiesenthal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, join the Aish HaTorah Rabbinical Advisory Board. “Judaism and the Jewish Professional” lecture series sponsored by Aish HaTorah attracts 150 new young adults to<st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">College</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Jewish Studies Program</st1:placename></st1:place>. Presenters include Rabbi Block, Rabbi George Lintz, and <st1:personname st="on">David Boxstein</st1:personname>, M.D.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1991</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">On January 10, 1991, Aish HaTorah is the subject of a fire bomb that destroyed the western building. Rabbi Block says, “You can destroy the physical aspects of our religion, but you can’t destroy the eternal message, the soul of our people.” At this point, Aish HaTorah’s structured educational program has touched the lives of over 5,000 individuals, 500 of whom have gone on to further their education in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1992</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1993</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Rabbi Block joins 999 other Rabbis in signing a petition to President Clinton demanding the release of Jonathan Pollard.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1994</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Northridge Earthquake gives Aish HaTorah a chance to do even more Chessed in the community. Aish HaTorah is saddened by the loss of their beloved Mr. Harold Rubin.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1995</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Aish HaTorah Institute officially changes its name to Beis Midrash Toras HaShem. A beautiful artist’s rendition of the future campus is put on display.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1996</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">The Shul goes into exile and davens in the residence of Mrs. Bea Rubin, the lunch room of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Emek</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Hebrew</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and in Nagila Pizza.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1997</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">The Shul celebrates the completion and naming of the new Bais Midrash Toras HaShem. Torah HaShem’s annual banquet honors Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Ida Goran, while Rabbi Marvin Sugarman received a Special Service Award. Months later, a Sefer Torah is presented to the Shul by Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Phyllis Scott. A multimedia Torah library is donated by the Rosenfeld Family.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1998</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Beis Midrash Toras HaShem’s annual banquet celebrating Jewish Outreach and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s Jubilee honors Dr. and Mrs. Ben Lesin and Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Phyllis Scott, with Rabbi Joel Zeff as the keynote speaker. This year marks 700 students sent to learn in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and over 200 families who have made an Aliyah.<span dir="rtl"></span><span dir="rtl"><span dir="rtl"></span> </span>The shul is graced with the prescence of Rabbi Yisroel Pesach Feinhandler from Yerushalayim<o:p></o:p></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">1999</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">The annual Toras HaShem banquet gives the “Aishes Chayil” award to the “Four Mothers” of Toras HaShem.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2000</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Annual banquet followed by Shalsheles concert for Toras HaShem honors Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Blume and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smason. Rabbi Zvi Block receives national media attention after the school at which he was principal, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">West</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Hebrew</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>, is attacked by neo-Nazis. The Beis Midrash of Toras HaShem becomes the temporary home of Bais Midrash Ner Aryeh a branch of Chofetz Chayim and division of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Torah</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">High School</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The Shul hires Velvol Weiner as an on-site full time caterer.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2001</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2002</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Toras HaShem mourns the passing Rabbi Morris J. Block and begins conducting daily Mincha and Ma’ariv services. Toras HaShem begins their successful annual summer auction.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2003</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Toras HaShem organizes a Shalsheles concert in the Scottish Rite theater with an attendance of over 1,500 people. Toras HaShem is honored by the presence of Rabbi Alter Chanoch Henoch Leibowitz HaKohen, the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2004</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Two major singles Shabbatons are organized in Toras HaShem: One with the featured speaker Rabbi Zvi Baruch Hollander from Young Israel of Venice-Torah Learning Center and the other with Rabbi Shimon Yerucham Green of Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Pittsburgher Rebbe starts his annual visits to Toras HaShem. A summer SEED program by Telz Riverdale runs programs in Toras HaShem. Rabbi Eli Bloom of JAM outreach makes Toras HaShem his center of operations for Kiruv in Los Angeles Universities.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2005</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal">Toras HaShem is the home of the only Hillula for the Ramchal on the West Coast, featured speaker is Rabbi Shmuel Kessin. A morning Kollel is introduced to Toras HaShem. Rabbi Block is inducted into the Rabbinical Advisory Board of Partners for the Eternal Jewish Family. Rabbi Block is the receipeint of an award at the annual Nefesh B’Nefesh/Americans For a Safe Israel banquet for his work in helping people make an Aliyah. The Beis Midrash of Toras HaShem once again becomes the temporary home of Bais Midrash Ner Aryeh.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 34.8pt;" valign="top" width="46"><div class="MsoNormal">2006</div></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 408pt;" valign="top" width="544"><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div></td></tr>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904038761010268187.post-33045322375080173882011-09-20T09:31:00.000-07:002011-09-20T09:34:42.087-07:00Young Israel of Valley Village Logo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9zHPt82HtScW-23sE7Vb5sWZDtf4Ao4cUTqtZYMkD8OQBN40sDJ6YNBuh5WUHLyEuo1Cusp33xB9b9R4sSXQOPyYHRE9_3yRcmmqJT-5WQShfXUDqKMj15wEct_RUz8lYUNFaUmKNfQ/s1600/logo.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 70px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9zHPt82HtScW-23sE7Vb5sWZDtf4Ao4cUTqtZYMkD8OQBN40sDJ6YNBuh5WUHLyEuo1Cusp33xB9b9R4sSXQOPyYHRE9_3yRcmmqJT-5WQShfXUDqKMj15wEct_RUz8lYUNFaUmKNfQ/s400/logo.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654480770660733234" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1