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Remarkable!

What a Kiddush Hashem!

Beyond anyone’s wildest dreams! Truly inspiring! An evening to remember! These are just some of the adjectives people were using as they left the Lake Terrace ballroom after the Bonei Olam of Lakewood dinner this past Sunday. Not only aren’t these descriptions exaggerated they are huge understatements. It is almost impossible to put into words the feelings one felt after experiencing this memorable event.

From the moment you walked into the hall, you knew you were part of an historical gathering. At the most conservative estimates, over 4,000 people from Lakewood and beyond- took part in this historic event. “I don’t remember such a Ma’amad since the Siyum HaShas. The aura of Kavod HaTorah;The feelings of Achdus; Everything about it was special” remarked Yosef Zev, a Yungerman from Bais Medrash Govoha, as he was leaving the hall.

The hall was literally filled to capacity, spilling into the hallways of the usually spacious ballroom.

The evening opened with an inspiring visual presentation highlighting Bonei Olam’s mission and was followed by pre-recorded opening remarks by Bonei Olam of Lakewood’s Director of medical Services, R’ Pinchus Wolhendler. R’ Wolhendler described the day to day goings on at Bonei Olam and how the many services help so many couples in Lakewood. “Bonei Olam of Lakewood has fielded over 10.000 calls since its establishment a few short years ago” said Rabbi Wolhendler.

The dinner chairman, R’ Menashe Frankel  a well known Askan   in Lakewood, and one of the main forces behind Bonei Olam of Lakewood delivered opening remarks and introduced the evening’s “Hakoras HaTov” awardee, R’ Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim.

“ When everyone said that it couldn’t be done, R’ Tzvi Mordechai knew that it could be done! When in 2004 everyone said Bonei Olam couldn’t make a dinner in Lakewood, R’ Tzvi Mordechai proved otherwise and has been the backbone of Bonei Olam of Lakewood ever since” said R’ Menashe.

R’ Tzvi Mordechai then delivered a powerful speech and accepted his well deserved award. The crowd rose and gave R’ Tzvi Mordechai a standing ovation which lasted a full minute.

The podium was then graced by the renowned Dr. Richard T. Scott, founding partner of RMA of New Jersey, a facility that has helped countless of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel in their quest to build a family of their own. Dr. Scott was presented with a “Medical achievement award” and then delivered a short few words of thanks and encouragement.

At this point in the program, the hall was filled with song! “Yamim Al Yemei Melech Tosef” could be heard throughout. Maran Harav Chaim Stein shlita, the eagerly awaited guest from the Telzer Yeshiva in Cleveland arrived in the hall.  Everyone was singing and clapping as the Rosh Yeshiva made his way up to the dais. The excitement could literally be felt in the air as the multitudes starined for a glimpse of this Gadol B’Yisroel who made the special trip to be with them at this event.

The Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoha, Rav Mattisyahu Salomon Shlita spoke a few words of introduction in honor of the Telzer Rosh Hayeshiva and in honor of Bonei Olam, and then invited the Rosh Yeshiva to address the crowd.

All ears were glued to every word the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva spoke. The Rosh Yeshiva chokingly recalled the many Tzaros that Klal Yisroel experiencedthrough the ages, and in the past century in particular. “We are now in Ikvisa D’Mishichah, in the immediate period before Moshiach, There is no question about that” said the Rosh Yeshiva.  The Rosh Yeshiva then went on to praise the work of Bonei Olam who are “Bonei Olamos- builders of worlds with the new birth of each and every precious child”. The Rosh Yeshiva beseeched the crowd to be mechazek in these tough times with acts of Chesed and Torah  and urged everyone to support the holy work of Bonei Olam as best as they can.

After the Rosh Yeshiva’s speech throngs of people lined up to get the opportunity to shake his hand and get a Bracha from this great Tzaddik.

The evening progressed, and we came to  what to many was the highlight of the program, the speech of R’ Shloime Bochner, legendary leader and strength behind Bonei Olam. Rabbi Bochner, as he always does, spoke piercing words from the heart that visibly penetrated the hearts of each and every person in the room. “Yes, times are hard. The financial situation is difficult. But being childless is harder and more difficult” said R’ Bochner. Many were seen to have tears flowing from their eyes as they listened to Rabbi Bochner describe how a Bonei Olam couple suffered in their quest to be part of the chain of Klal Yisroel.

Following his speech, countless people were actually seen doubling their pledges and donations at the donation tables outside the hall.

The dinner was graced with the presence of all the Roshei Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha as well as other Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbonim and Admorim from across the entire spectrum of Lakewood, a sight which truly accentuated the achdus that Bonei Olam highlights with each and every one of their successful events throughout the year, and throughout the world.

The evening featured the wonderful musical talent of Shloimy Daskal who sang a new and beautiful song composed for Bonei Olam , and throughout the evening, people could be heard humming the tune and the words; it definitely made a great impression on all. After bentching, at the special Kumzitz, Shloimy Daskal was joined on stage by  Chaim Reinman who wrote the lyrics of the  special song and by Moishy Mendlowitz, one of the dinner’s osts as well as a talented singer in his own right.

All the guests got to take home 2 volumes of the evenings journal filled with ads of appreciation to the honorees, volunteers, as well as many ads in honor of the many Nezer Habonim from across Lakewood, without whose help this dinner would not have been  the success that it was. Due to the journals being so big and heavy, a CD containing all the ads was given out as well for those that simply could not schlep home such a large journal.

May the Ribono Shel Olam answer all the Tefillos of all the Yiddishe mothers and fathers that are waiting for their chance to have a child to call their own.

For more information contact Bonei Olam of Lakewood at 732-942-7773 email [email protected] or visit Bonei Olam’s website by clicking HERE.

PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.