From a very personal perspective.... in the aftermath of the tragedy in Israel last week.

When one sends a son to a yeshiva, in Israel, one trusts that the person responsible for the boy's soul will guard it as if it is his own son. matthew called and told me a story last night...

HaRav Bina, is the Rosh Yeshiva of Netiv Aryeh, Matthew’s current yeshiva and the yeshiva where our other son Bobby spent two years. on wednesday night HaRav Bina told his entire yeshiva, all of the talmidim and Rebbes, to take their sefarim, their chevrusas, learning partners, if from outside the yeshiva and to go on to the buses. he said this was not a tour so no cameras. once on the buses he said... we are going to learn tonight's seder at ......... Mercaz Harav yeshiva in the Kiryat Moshe.. !!!

Mercaz Harav was founded in 1924 by influential Rabbi Avraham HaCohen Kook. There are 500 students enrolled in Talmudic study these Students are mainly high-school age and young adults. The graduates serve as rabbis and rabbinical judges in Israel and Jewish settlements. This yeshiva has played a major role in ideology and theology of Israeli religious settlement movement. On March 6, 2008 an Arab gunman, who had previously worked at this yeshiva, entered the library at the Mercaz Harav where about 80 students were gathered, and fired an AK-47 rifle for several minutes, killing eight young souls.

Matthew said, they got off the busses and walked, en masse into the yeshiva, sat down and started learning. matthew happened to be at HaRav Bina's table and many of the young men from Mercaz came up to HaRav Bina and remarked: "you came to be with us? thank you, your being here is great chizik, encouragement for us ."
matthew said there was some blood on the sefarim in the corner and other signs of the tragedy. Netiv Aryeh had taken their own security as they always have to do when they travel. But matthew said, “Dad, this yeshiva, right now is probably the safest place in all of Israel” .... yes, it was very troubling for all the boys.... but they all stayed.... over 200 Netiv guys learning and wanting to be with the Mercaz boys.

Matthew will remember many things from his two amazing Israel years, the learning in the Beis HaMedrash with his view of the Wall, daily. His trip with the yeshiva to Poland last year and the emotions at the concentration camps made their mark on his soul. He will remember the luxury of being able to just “learn” 12-15-18 hours a day with top Rebbeyim, and may other milestones. Near the the top of his list will be this short trip for night seder, learning.
Matthew saw the effect of the action that night of his Rosh Yeshiva. HaRav Bina knew that the most important thing was not just his own Talmidium learning, but to insure that other young souls, hurting, would continue to learn and not abandon the Derech Hashem.

We have been very fortunate in the Rosh Yeshivas for our sons at both Derech Etz Chaim and Netiv Aryeh. These are men that understand their holy responsibility for young men’s lives and souls.

Yes, last week, when I read streaming across the internet, that this tragedy had occurred, I was very anxious until Matthew called to tell me he was ok. That night, I did not sleep very well, as I wondered about the fathers who were not able to talk with their sons that fateful day. Fathers who would be traveling to Israel to arrange funerals for their fallen sons. There are too many emotions to type here, but I will conclude as I usually do. Hug those kids, every kid in your world. Hug them dearly, you have a luxury some do not. Hug those kids, they need it and so do you.

Good Shabbos
Barry Faigen, Father of Robert (5763-64) and Mathew Faigen (5767-68)

Dear Rav Bina,

As Jeremy prepares to come home, I wanted to thank and review with you, his wonderful experience.

I never doubted that Jeremy and Netiv would be a perfect match. Yet, his easy acclimation to life at Netiv and his true feeling of belonging exceeded all my expectations.

His private Rebbe, Rabbi Gross taught him how to learn Gemarah, and enjoy it. All the Rabbayim were encouraging all the time, and made him feel at home and happy. He has grown so much, thanks to all of them.

Rabbi Tzvi's shiur, Bain Adam L'chaveroh taught him important life lessons, which he incorporates into his daily life. I try to learn from these life lessons as well!

My only disappointment is that he is not returning for Shana Bet. Maybe if I had not pushed (and encouraged everyone else to push him too) he would have gone. Nonetheless, I hope he will maintain the growth he achieved this year, with very few steps backwards. I know he will maintain a strong Kesher to the Yeshiva. He has already asked to go back for Yom Tov and his winter break.

I can not adequately express our tremendous Hakoras Hatov for all that you have personally done for Jeremy. We continue to be your supporters and best advocates for the Yeshiva.

Chag Sameach and Best Regards,
Shera Chubak, Mother of Adam (5766) and Jeremy Chuback (5769)

Dear HaRav Bina,

One of your talmidim, our son Robert, is I’YH, getting married on Monday, January 29, 2007, 10 Shevat 5767. We are very grateful to HaRav Bina, as you were directly involved in this shidduch. The Rosh Yeshiva advised Bobby, to go to work at HASC, his first summer after Shana Aleph and it was at HASC that he met the Kallah, Ariella Fessel of Monsey, NY.

The Rosh Yeshiva is responsible for helping Bobby to develop the skills and to be diligent in his learning and in following the Derech Hashem. We are very grateful to the Rosh Yeshiva and to Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh for all of their efforts on behalf of Bobby. We have complete faith that these qualities will also be imparted to his younger brother Matthew, currently attending Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh.

Bobby has asked HaRav Yitzchak Korn to be the Mesader Kiddushin and we are so very honored that HaRav Korn has accepted. Bobby is very close to HaRav Korn and they speak frequently. During Bobby’s 2 years at Yeshiva and in the 3 years since, HaRav Korn has provided valuable guidance for our son and now Matthew has HaRav Korn as his shuir Rebbe.

We realize how critical learning is in the development of young men. Matthew is our third son to attend a Yeshiva in Israel, full time after high school, strictly to learn.

We realize that staying at Yeshiva and attending every shuir, staying in Beis Medrash to learn, is important in the growth and development of Matthew. We fully support Matthew in his desires to develop the necessary skills to be a Ben Torah.

Thank you Rav Bina, for giving Matthew permission to leave Yeshiva and attend this important family simcha. We also thank you for your diligence in the structure and program of Yeshiva Netiv Aryeh. May Hashem bless the Rosh Yeshiva with strength to continue to guide young men on the Derech Hashem.

Barry Faigen, Father of Robert (5763-64) and Mathew Faigen (5767-68)