Monday, September 1, 2025

Fwd: HTC Newsletter: August Recap


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: HTC <htcnews-htc.edu@shared1.ccsend.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 1, 2025, 12:31 PM
Subject: HTC Newsletter: August Recap
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>


September 1, 2025


Dear Alumni and Friends,


As summer winds down, the excitement on campus is just beginning. We're thrilled to welcome back our students for another inspiring year of Torah learning and academic growth across all our divisions. The energy is palpable, and we are excited to see our halls, classrooms, and dorms once again filled with passionate talmidim ready to learn.


It's with great sadness that HTC joins the Jewish world in mourning the loss of our illustrious alumnus, Rabbi Berel Wein ZT"L (HTC '56), who as a Rav, Rosh Yeshiva and Historian, left a monumental imprint on the Jewish world.



See below for more news, updates and Divrei Torah.


Warm regards,



Rabbi Shmuel L. Schuman

CEO, HTC

HTC News

This monthly email newsletter is sponsored by:

GGM Associates, Inc. was established with a strong foundation and understanding of the healthcare industry's accounting and business operations. With decades of public and private accounting experience, GGM can help you grow your business and achieve your goals.

Visit ggmcpas.com to learn more!

Remembering Rabbi Berel Wein, ZT"L

Our Yeshiva mourns the loss of our illustrious alumnus, Rabbi Berel Wein ZT"L (HTC '56), who as a Rav, Rosh Yeshiva and Historian left a monumental imprint on the Jewish world.


Please stay tuned for more information about an upcoming Shloshim at HTC on Monday, September 15 at 7:30 PM, as we give kavod to Rabbi Wein ZT"L.

Rabbi Berel Wein (HTC '56) Remarks at HTC's Centennial Gala

Rabbi Berel Wein ZT"L (HTC '56) speaking about Chicago and HTC's founding and how it became the great mother of Jewish instituitions in the USA and Israel.


"The Yeshiva is our great mother. A mother may grow old, but she always remains our mother. She does not depart. So we celebrate 100 years of building Torah, of building the Jewish people, of building kindness and goodness of being a beacon of light in a very dark situation."

-Rabbi Berel Wein ZT"L

FLASHBACK! Season 1, Episode 19 - Rabbi Dr. Berel Wein (HTC '56) on the Yeshiva in the postwar era

This week on the Yeshiva Show, we are join Rabbi Dr. Berel Wein at his home in Jerusalem and talk about his joining the the Yeshiva at just 11 years old in 1945 (01:38); the arrival and impact of refugees to the Yeshiva in the post-war era (04:04); the goals and motivations of his rebbeim (08:37); Rabbi Herzog's z"l visit to the Yeshiva in 1946 and the message that he imparted to the rebbehim and talmidim (17:15); how Chicago both helped develop and developed from the Yeshiva in the 40s and 50s (24:44); what he took with him from the Yeshiva after graduation (29:10); and his thoughts on the Yeshiva turning 100 (35:41).

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on HTCAlumni.org
HTC News

Check out HTC's alumni website for more exciting news, pictures, events, and more!

Premiere Screening of Names, Not Numbers ® Draws 500 Before Tisha B'Av 

On Wednesday evening, July 30th, HTC's Fasman Yeshiva High School (FYHS) welcomed 500 alumni and friends for an evening of hope and inspiration before Tisha B'Av at the movie premiere of Names, Not Numbers ® - A Movie in the Making at the Holiday Inn North Shore in Skokie, IL. 


Click here to read more

Remembering Zali Arnold, z"l

In late July, our Yeshiva suffered the heartbreaking loss of a dear talmid and friend to so many, Zali Arnold, z"l, who tragically passed away at the very young age of 23. A proud graduate of FYHS in 2020, Zali possessed a brilliant mind for both Torah and general studies. Yet his true greatness lay in his kindness, compassion, and sincerity—he was an authentic eved Hashem whose dedication to his family, friends, and Yeshiva knew no bounds...


Click here to read more

HTC's Dr. Chani Tessler Along with Touro University Colleagues Present Two Sessions on AI in the Academic World at National Higher Education COnference

Hebrew Theological College (HTC) is proud to celebrate Dr. Chani Tessler, Vice Provost of Touro University Illinois and Dean of the Sarah Hartman Women's College of Touro, for presenting two sessions at the prestigious 2025 Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia with Drs. Jenelle Hodges and Goran Trajkovski of Touro University.


Click here to read more

Welcome Rabbi Ephraim Wiesenberg to FYHS

Fasman Yeshiva High School is excited to welcome Rabbi Ephraim Wiesenberg who joined the Rabbinic staff as a 9th grade Rebbe. A native of Chicago, Rabbi Wiesenberg was previously a member of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel where he taught students of all ages. In addition, he spent his summers as the camp rabbi at Camp Chai and has volunteered extensively in programming for kids with special needs.

The Yeshiva Centennial Book to Arrive in Israel!

A limited number of HTC's stunning 600‑page commemorative volume is on its way to Israel! Originally published during HTC's Centennial year in June 2023, this beautiful tribute contains over 1,500 photographs and hundreds of alumni recollections, making it both a visual and emotional journey through a century of communal scholarship and memories. Books are available for pre-order with a minimum $36 donation. Pickup locations: Jerusalem, Efrat, Ramat Bet Shemesh, and Ranana. Click here to order

More HTC News

Our Alumni

HTC is proud of our students, past and present! Take a look at this month's spotlighted alumni.

Alumnus Name: Yudi Fishkin

Graduating Year: 1996

Current LocationI am proud to call New Rochelle, NY our home and feel blessed to be joining my wife and children on their sabbatical experience in Modiin.  


Profession: I serve as counsel for a real estate development company, where I provide legal expertise and strategic guidance. Our firm specializes in the thoughtful conversion of historic buildings into residential condominiums blending preservation with modern innovation. This role is particularly rewarding as it allows me to merge my deep appreciation for architecture—capturing the beauty and history of these structures—with my passion for law, ensuring each project is executed with precision and integrity 


Tell us a little bit about your family: 

I'm married to Dana; a fellow Chicagoan and we are parents to Reuven (21), Sydney (18), Coby (15), Gabriel (11) and Liam (11). Dana is a published author, and a highly regarded professor at Touro University, specializing in Medieval Italian Jewish History. While mothering the family and teaching she also works in various archives around Italy. Reuven is a Junior at Rutgers University and spending a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia. Sydney is at MTVA in Jerusalem and joining the IDF next year. Coby, Gabriel and Liam are in schools in Modiin and learning some Hebrew.  


What is your favorite memory/(memories) from FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

My time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz is rich with cherished memories. My classmates formed an extraordinary community—truly like family—and I'm delighted that we remain connected through an active WhatsApp chat to this day. I also hold fond recollections of the Rebbeim, whose insightful guidance fostered a remarkable balance of energy and harmony. I thoroughly enjoyed all four years at Skokie Yeshiva during high school, followed by earning my degree from HTC. These experiences were instrumental in shaping the person I am today, and I reflect on them with deep gratitude. 


Please share a lesson/takeaway from your time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

Reflecting on those years evokes a profound sense of emotion, as they were truly essential and formative in my life. As someone who thrives on building connections, I'm deeply grateful to the Yeshiva for creating an environment that nurtured meaningful relationships while providing the space I needed for personal growth. I view it as a steadfast haven, particularly during periods when other parts of my life felt less certain. I will always hold immense appreciation for the Yeshiva's unwavering support, which provided a foundation that continues to resonate with me today. 


Advice for current students:

As high school is quite hectic; I encourage current students to carve out "me time" each day for thoughtful reflection on their lives and to do something they enjoy. This simple yet impactful habit can foster personal growth and bring clarity to their journey in profound ways. 


Anything else to share:

I often share with others, with a playful smile, that I earned a "BA in magic" during my time at HTC—a lighthearted way to convey how truly special and transformative those years were for me. The supportive community there became a cornerstone during a challenging chapter of my life, guiding me through with care and helping me rebuild and grow in ways that continue to resonate deeply. I'll always treasure the profound impact HTC had on my journey. 


Alumnus Name: Dr. Avraham Bogachkov

Graduating Year: 2005

Current Location: West Rogers Park

Profession: Radiologist


Tell us a little bit about your family: 

I'm married to Yedida with 4 kids.


What is your favorite memory/(memories) from FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

In 11th grade, I was in Rabbi Twerski's shiur. We had a mesibah at his house and got to see Rabbi Twerski bbqing. He lit the coals once we got there, and we were all telling him that it would be a while before we could cook anything. He told us not to worry, and proceeded to pull out a leaf blower that he then used to superheat the charcoal. The food was ready in minutes.


Please share a lesson/takeaway from your time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

The curriculum gave a nice serious focus on both Torah and secular studies; it showed how important both were for life. By showing chashivus to all the work we had, it showed a powerful lesson in taking ourselves seriously. Take everything in life seriously and do not do things just to do it.


Advice for current students:

Take seriously everything that you do and believe in yourself. Try doing what you are doing in the best possible way.

More Alumni Spotlights

Divrei Torah from Alumni and Rebbeim

A Tragic Failure of Middos


By Sheldon Sussi Stern


"An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the congregation of God, even their tenth generation shall not enter the congregation of God, to eternity, because they did not greet you with bread and water on the road when you were leaving Egypt, and because he hired against you Bilaam, son of Beor, of Pesor, Aram Naharayim, to curse you." Devarim 23:4-5

Read More

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