On Sunday this week, the Derech Yeshiva in Afula held an event to dedicate the "Heichal Shimshon" Beit Midrash in memory of Shimshon Delbkowitz, the late.
Yeshiva Derech Yeshar, headed by Rabbi Chaim Horwitz, is beginning its third year in its current permanent home in Afula after spending several years in a number of temporary buildings. The yeshiva was established about six years ago by Rabbi Horwitz with the aim of providing a solution for young men who did not fit into standard yeshiva frameworks, and is characterized by combining Torah and vocational study and a supportive and loving educational method with personal attention to each student.
As mentioned, the yeshiva moved several times due to lack of budget and resources until the ORT school network heard about the special project that had been established and took the yeshiva's financial success under their auspices.
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Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman, the rabbi of Migdal HaEmek, also heard about the wonderful institution and suggested to Rabbi Horwitz that the yeshiva be moved to a dignified and worthy building in the city of Afula, and since then the yeshiva has been respectfully housed in its current location.
Rabbi Horvitz, the head of the yeshiva, met singer Shimshon Delbkowitz, z"l, during a daily Daf Yomi class that he taught every evening to a group of artists and musicians. Shimshon, who was one of the pillars of the group, stood out for his perseverance and seriousness in the class, making sure at all costs not to miss a single day.
"After his passing, it was clear to me that I would establish a Beit Midrash in his memory," said Rabbi Horwitz. "There is nothing in the world that Shimshon would have desired more than this. This is the best way to perpetuate the memory of a man who so valued Torah study and Torah scholars. What's more, the unique nature of the yeshiva is so fitting for Shimshon's way of life, which was all about love and giving to others.".
Indeed, at the beginning of the week, with the opening of the Elul period of 2014, an exciting ceremony was held to inaugurate the Beit Midrash, when the memorial plaque was removed by the widow and mother of the late Shimshon.
Immediately afterwards, the yeshiva students gathered in the Beit Midrash for evening prayers and Torah readings and a wake-up call from Rabbi Horwitz, who honored the memory of Samson; later, Gershon Freisht's orchestra and singer Ohad Moshkowitz took the stage, along with violinist Daniel Ahabiel and star singer Itzik Dadia, who swept the yeshiva students and residents of the area into dance circles with songs of joy and devotion. At the end of the evening, child prodigy Netanel Gantz and yeshiva student singer Meir Green also joined in the singing.
The evening's artistic producer, David Fedida, who was a close friend of Samson and took an active part in the activities in his memory, financed the musical portion of the evening.
View photos from the event:
