Parent’s Corner

Dear Rabbi Gershenfeld & Rabbi Jacobs,

Good day to you both. I hope this email finds you both well along with your families. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you both for all you and all the other Rabbis have done for [my son]. I have never seen him so happy and content with his life. Our family always jokes that [he] never smiles in pictures and rarely looks happy. These past 9 months every picture he has sent me he is smiling and looks so joyful. I know he has loved every moment of his time at Machon Yaakov and seeing him there in his element with all the other incredible young men this past February made my heart sing. Also as Rabbi Jacobs and I discussed before [my son’s] departure to MY , I most certainly agree he is becoming much more of a mensch and it has definitely helped our relationship as Mother and son. I am counting down the days til his return to the States but I just wanted to thank you both again for all the hard work, time, kindness and support you gave so selflessly to him. As you know I only want my boy to be happy and healthy and live a wonderful life and will continue to endlessly support him on this journey of Judaism at its best! My grandmother is no doubt smiling down from above and must be overjoyed to know [our son] has returned religion to our family. Again my most sincere thanks and if you ever need me to speak to other incoming Moms feel free to give them my number. Much Blessings and Baruch Hashem for you both,

Axxxx🐾🐾🐾.

P.s. I started Partners in Torah so that I can be more involved and helpful with [my son] in his continued journey.

Dear Rabbi Jacobs and Rabbi Gershenfeld,

There are so many things I’d like to start off with. But probably more important than anything, I should thank you and the other staff at Machon Yaakov for the care and attention you gave our son Gabriel. He could not have been in more loving hands…. and for a control-freak mother as I am, that is saying a lot! During his 2-year tenure at the Yeshiva, it was clear he was surrounded by people who cared about his overall well-being.

If truth be told, Allen and I, Gabe’s father and I, had some initial concerns. Gabe has been raised in a home where critical thinking is paramount. He’s been taught to do the right thing regardless of those around you and to be true to your own thinking and feeling. Our greatest fears were allayed. In fact, his astute critical thinking proved an asset to his studies and the Yeshiva experience as a whole.

I would hope that Gabe shared his life experiences vis a vis Judaism, and that you know Gabe came to the Yeshiva from a home comparatively knowledgeable Jewishly. You also know that Gabe grew up in a home where Jewish practice and football went hand in hand. By that I mean, in a community filled with Jews, we were among the few visibly practicing Jews. And that while he was Captain of the Football and Baseball teams, he was also observing Kashrut in the home and out. His “journey” towards observance is not a surprise to those who know Gabriel.

Nor is his journey towards “learning more” text, halacha, mitzvot, etc. His Yeshiva years have taken him further down that road. You have filled the cup from which he could drink. Better yet, you have shown him when he is thirsty again, how to drink some more. He is the child who now knows more than the parent.

As a former Jewish Educator trained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and a stalwart Conservative Jew, about the only issue “at issue” has been the merits of Conservative Judaism and Orthodoxy. Fortunately, Shalom Bayit is far more important and our family can accommodate both!

I must admit, Gabe was very gentle and steadfast as he guided us through his studies and activities these past 2 years. His calm, determined demeanor helped both his father and I understand the full scope of his commitment to his Jewish learning. For that he is to be commended. And for reinforcing that commitment I commend you and your staff, his teachers. There are no more important people in a person’s life, aside from one’s parents. After all, through the students they teach, it is our teachers who have the power to make all the difference in the world.

Allen and I believe you have made your mark with Gabe. We have always taught him how important it is to make a positive difference in the world around him. And we have always thought he is destined for great things… because of his ability to influence and lead, and his great compassion for people. The Yeshiva experience has become part of what Gabe gives out to the world. And we believe he and we are so much better for it.

And it doesn’t hurt that a parent can reap some nachus from such a wonderful son along the way!

Allen and I look forward to meeting you in the future. Our sincerest thanks for your hard work. If we can be of any help down the road, please know we are here to assist.

Thank You!

Linda S. Herman

Publisher

Dear Rabbi Jacobs,

I know you will say that there are no coincidences, everything is for a reason, but I am still amazed at your timing. We just returned from Jerusalem after spending Chanukah together with our kids. Every time I get to be with [my son], and now with his growing family, my heart fills with delight and pride. It is during those days that I am reminded of the challenges we faced when [he] declared he was granted a scholarship to learn at the [xx] yeshiva in Jerusalem. My only request of [him] at the time was to think of the effect it will have on our family’s dynamics — not to try and change his mind, but rather to make sure he would be mindful of the challenges ahead. [xx] yeshiva’s approach to guiding young men to Torah was not to my liking and I went to Israel 4 months later to bring [my son] back home. [He] continued his spiritual growth at a more moderate pace with the help of the religious community in LA. It was after about a year that I realized he was ready to go back to Jerusalem where fortunately for all – my son and us — he started his learning voyage at Machon Yaakov. I do not mean to suggest that the challenges to our family’s dynamics did not materialize but I cannot imagine what it would have been without the help, guidance and dedication of Rabbi Gershenfeld and you, Rabbi Jacobs, that helped [our son] remember that family values are an inseparable part of spiritual growth. It is at the Yeshiva that [he] has continued to develop the respect for values like “Kabed at Avicha Vet Imecha” [honor your father and mother] and “ Veahavtha Lereacha Kamocha” [love your neighbor as you yourself]. I am just as pleased as I can be to see [him] trying his best to become a talmid chacham [scholar] and to be also a “mench”.

With very warm regards,

S.

Dear Rabbi Jacobs and Rabbi Gershenfeld,

As parents, we all raise our children and dream of the path they will chart for themselves. For our oldest son, that path began with graduation from the Universityof Pennsylvania, a new job in consulting and many big ideas. We have, as a family, always been very involved in our Jewish community, and have encouraged our children to do the same; they have all been to Israel countless times. Naturally, we had always hoped for a commitment to Jewish Community and Jewish life. As the saying goes, “be careful what you wish for”.

When our son started to become more observant, and then when he made the decision to attend Machon Yaakov for two years, we were taken aback. There is that moment where you want things to stay just the way they are and you don’t even know why. I personally could not help but think about things like brainwashing and cult, and I think this was a natural and emotional reaction to what seemed to be a major change in his life’s course of events.

Being the very close family that we are, we did our best to be supportive of our son, but had reservations about his decision. In truth, the reservations came mostly from caring and uninformed friends and relatives who did not understand how this could happen to a nice Jewish boy, right? But, then, we did some serious research about the Yeshiva and the Rabbis who teach there. What we found was nothing short of amazing in the quality of the students, alumni, and Rabbis who were going to be spending this next chapter of our son’s life with him. We understood that almost all of the young men return to the USA (or wherever they are from), and go back to work or graduate school. And, most important, and most impressive is that the Rabbis are simply the most incredible people who are very bright and dedicated and balanced.

Being the crazy close family that we are, I made a trip to the Yeshiva in November and studied with my son for four days, and then we returned as a family for a week in December. What we saw on these visits only served to reinforce our positive feelings and that our son had amazing instincts in choosing Machon Yaakov for all of the right reasons. And, since then, our son was home for the Passover holidays for three weeks. So, we have spent a lot of time together and have found that he is the same person who he always was, just more observant and more knowledgeable. But, he is still the lovable, honest, caring, passionate, sports-loving, loyal kid that he was before he left. He has remained incredibly close to everyone in the family, and to all of his non-observant friends. Of our own choice, we have made a lot of adjustments to accommodate our son, including making our house more strictly kosher. We did this because we want him to be completely comfortable being home and living with us when he is in the USA. We talk by phone, and video chat on a regular basis, and we are so proud of him for his dedication and passion.

So, although this has been a big change for us, we are so happy that our son is studying with Rabbis who are so good and such caring people who are not extreme, but rather who teach the very challenging and delicate balance and family-first in their approach to observance. We love our son so much, as we always have, and always will. There are times that we are truly overwhelmed by the love and support that he has from the Rabbis at Machon Yaakov and for that and so much more, we thank you,

Sincerely yours,

Larry Halperin, MD | Ophthalmologist | Boca Raton, Florida

Hi Rabbi,

Just to let you know that Axxx will be joining our firm as of 5/15. Thanks for your help and feedback. In the future please keep in mind that we usually have to summer interns for a period of 7 weeks so please feel free to recommend any candidates that you think might consider a good fit for our firm.

I should share with you how much I have been impressed by the kids that have gone through your program. There is obviously a self-selection factor, in that all of them decided to “take a break” from the standard career development path to do something for their own spiritual benefit with no short term practical reward, something difficult that will require hard work, and something that in many cases requires to confront serious opposition for family members and other loved ones. However, to your credit and the credit of all the Rabbaim, I have found that Machon Yaacov graduates (including my son Jxxxx, of course) are matured beyond their age, self learners, thorough analytically, and less afraid of hard work and tough choices.

Please feel free to share this with any parent or potential employers.

All the best and thanks again

Aaron (Father of an alum; investment fund manager)

Hello Rabbi Jacobs,

With a heavy heart … I left Israel yesterday. [My husband] will be staying for an additional week.

We cannot even begin to express the words to describe how we both feel about our visit to Machon Yaakov but we will try to give you a small taste of what we left there with. We already heard of your Yeshiva’s reputation but seeing it for ourselves solidified what we already expected. Thanks to you, Rabbi Gershenfeld and all the young men there for making us feel so welcome. Each one of your students took the time to introduce themselves and have a conversation with us and say such kind words about our son. Thank you for making me feel comfortable … Shabbos morning too.

Of course it gives parents peace of mind to see their child striving to reach their potential. With our short time with [our son], we know he is in the right place to help guide him.

Machon Yaakov is breathtaking not only in the view, but in the energy you and your dedicated staff give to the young men, the wonderful facilities they live in, and the values they are learning. How blessed Machon Yaakov is to also have such a supportive community welcoming your students to add to their Shabbos experiences.

We could continue gushing but will end with thanks to HaShem for Machon Yaakov.

Sincerely,

…

Dear Rabbi Jacobs, Rabbi Gershenfeld, Rabbi Lynn and all Machon Yaakov Rabbis,

We would like to express our most sincere and deep appreciation for everything that you have provided our son over the last two years.

Neither we nor [our son] knew what to expect when he came up with the idea of going to Yeshiva in order to learn, grow and explore his commitment to Judaism.

We assumed it would be a very special and enriching experience, but we didn’t know it would become the most significant and meaningful years in his life.

You helped him get clear about his priorities, strengthen his core values, identify his strengths and challenges, and realize how he wants to live his life.

You taught him to appreciate even more the connection with his family, you gave him tools to live a fulfilling life, and the desire to keep learning and developing himself.

Over the past two years we spoke with [our son] a few times per week, and it was always very rewarding for us to witness him growing and enjoying his time at MY so much.

In the essay [our son] wrote recently for his Master’s degree application, he said: “Going to MY ended up being the best decision I have ever made”.

We couldn’t wish for anything better than that …

[Our son] is so blessed to have you as his teachers and mentors, and we are truly and forever grateful for the huge impact you made on him and his future.

Thank you and all the best,

X & X

Proud parents of ….

Hello Rabbi Jacobs,

I don’t know how often you get to hear from the parents about the wonderful education you and your staff are giving to their children. It is beyond an education, it is a gift not only to the young men that pass through the doors of Machon Yaakov, but to their families, their communities and Klal Yisrael.

Although my husband, Jxxx, and I have been completely supportive of Axxxxx going to Yeshiva and elevating his life, as you are aware many parents and families are challenged by this change. Machon Yaakov teaches these young men to have empathy and the tools they need to help their families with the adjustment.

For us, having Axxxxx home this summer on a few Shabbats, has helped us grow on the journey we are on as well. He shared many of the classes, books, and life lessons he learned in the past two years (All being a positive influence on us, so again, this education is a shared gift!).

This email doesn’t do justice to what I am trying to express, but I wanted to thank Machon Yaakov for the dedication given to bringing Yiddishkeit into more Jewish souls. The ripple effect is astounding.

May Hashem bless you, your staff, your families — and let’s not forget the wonderful host families of Har Nof — with health, safety, prosperity, lots of nachas and good for the upcoming year. Shana Tova.

Sincerely,

XX

Dear Rabbis,

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend a few days learning alongside my son N.. It was an invaluable experience to witness firsthand the enriching education he receives at your Yeshiva.

N. has always aspired to excel in all areas of his life—academically, professionally, athletically, and personally. He also has a strong sense of adventure. After his successful career launch in a new city, he chose to travel the world. Upon his return, he took time to proactively decide on the kind of life he wanted to lead and decided that Judaism should play a more central role. After lots of thoughtful consideration and personal introspection, he joined Machon Yaakov.

As a close-knit family, we had our concerns. We worried about the distance and the length of time he'd be away, and we feared that he might become "too religious" and grow apart from us. Additionally, we were concerned about him putting his career on hold.

However, after visiting Machon Yaakov, I am very reassured he made the right decision. It is a truly wonderful and unique place. You should be very proud of what you have built. The Yeshiva provides a nurturing and loving environment where the Rabbis genuinely care about the students. I see how you inspire them to be great Jews, spouses, fathers, friends, and community members. They are not changing who they are but growing who they are, and will carry the lessons they learn into their personal and professional lives.

The culture at Machon Yaakov is remarkable. As a parent, it feels like a camp where everybody lives in the same happy bunk! The students learn, eat, pray, and laugh together, forming lifelong friendships. The Rabbis are extraordinary, combining successful professional experiences with deep Torah knowledge. From you, they receive an inspiring Torah. They are lucky to have you in such a small intimate setting.

I cannot think of a better place for my son as he continues his life's journey. I am glad he is enrolling for a second year. Thank you for your dedication to inspiring the next generation of mensch and observant Jewish leaders.

Regards,

S…

Good evening Rabbi Jacobs,

Fast forward almost 4 years and my next son is on his way to Machon Yaakov. 😊 No need for call this time with me and my wife to express concerns or to understand what will take place or expectations of what will come. He comes with eager excitement to learn and be engaged as did his brother Jxxx. I am smiling as I write this to think Jxxx is now married to an amazing woman, expecting child in little over a month. I can only reiterate how proud I am of my family and our lives we have chosen to lead, please know that you and all the Rabbis, educators and rebbetzins have had a profound impact and influence on our family, Jxxx, and Cxxx in particular.

Take care of Cxxx and send him home as you did Jxxx.

I hope and pray your family and all the people in Israel and Jews around the world stay safe and strong.

 All our love,

 Mxxx and Kxxx

PS And I might add that Jxxx is leading and exemplary Jewish life based on your teachings so much so that it has become part of our larger family.