Comments on: Op-Ed: It Is Time

By: aaym

aaym — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:22:21 +0000

# 5 keeping it in general and not pointing out the different faction differences WAS the right thing to do. As what is is muttar in the cahsideshe velt can be assur in the litvish/yeshivish velt. The point that was well made by the author of teh article, is that no matter what the religious philosophy, a kosher outlet for children/teen entertainment/relaxation. MUST be created before the system totally falls apart.

#1 in every single situation if done properly and with Kavod Shamyim in mind, you can infuse spirituality. It doesnt have to be over a sefer to be divine.

By: rebmoish

rebmoish — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:24:36 +0000

# 5 YOU ARE RIGHT ON TARGET(even though your name is not)!!!!!

By: bklynmom

bklynmom — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:22:54 +0000

YUNGERMAN,,,this op-ed piece has nothing to do with Kids-at-risk, the focal point is on Normative Teenagers who can not and will not sit and learn for 10 hours a day.

Just check out the cracks in the non-sustainable Israeli educational system. Where are the future Israeli frum farmers, builders, contractors and carpenters? They are scared to identify themselves since it will affect their sisters’ shidduchim.

Teens are energetic and need outlets to express themselves,,,all teens……need outlets.

By: 1818

1818 — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 13:10:55 +0000

courageuous and well written article.
I have felt all the new chumros and “its assur” mentality doesnt play well with some kids and they get quickly turned off.
I encourage my own kids to love learning, love davening but also to be balanced and play sports, follow their favorite football team etc and baruch hashem, its working.

By: yungermanS

yungermanS — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 05:27:03 +0000

actually in lakewood theres an organization for
kids-at-risk called minyan shelanu. it is a program open 24-7 to assist them from jobs to meals to shiurim & learning chavrusas. You can even check it out at http://www.minyanshelanu.com to see for yourself everything they do to help these kids-at-risk.

Their monthly budget is very high-as everything they do & give is %100 percent free-if you can assist them in any way to save these neshamos please check them out on their website. All credit cards accepted with full tax refundable.

THANK YOU

By: shalom2010

shalom2010 — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:30:37 +0000

one thing I learned over the years is that there is no collective “we” when it comes to the Frum community. There are many different schools, each with its own policies and standards. There are many different Kehilos, each with its own policies, and of course every family is different, and differ on what is appropriate for their kids.

By: laytzonay hador omrim

laytzonay hador omrim — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 02:50:58 +0000

With all due respect to the writer he should be directing his criticism more to the chasidishe mosdos where ball playing is compared to avoda zara. As far as I know many mainstream yeshivisha mesivtos either have a gym or a yard and encourage or certainly don’t discourage ball playing. Some make arrangements for swimming and other activities. Many bochurim are involved in extra curricular activities. The truth is kids at risk come from all backgrounds and situations. Great parents, horrible parents, smart kids, dumb kids, popular kids & nebechdika kids have all joined the ranks of at risk kids. Mesivtas striving for excellence amongst their talmidim are not to blame for at risk kids. I’ll grant you that certain Rabbeim & Menahalim though they may be huge talmiday chachomim who say exceptional shiurim are CLUELESS with regard to how to deal with bochurim with issues & may chas v’sholom push these kids the wrong way. But that is not an issue to write such a broad op ed about a total overhaul of the current system. There are many choices in mesivtos and knowing their child parents should be doresh v’choker into which mesivta is a good match for their child. And daven of course (say v’haarev nah hashem….v’niyeh anachnu v’tzetzaeinu…with lots of kavana)

By: commonsense

commonsense — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 02:50:03 +0000

Well said! Like you said I don’t think anything will change any time soon. why can’t our yeshivos be run like the kiruv schools which work hard to ensure the students like school and want to work on themselves. They focus on positives.

By: not anonymous

not anonymous — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 01:19:57 +0000

This is a major problem and if it will not be addressed & solutions found (An Agudah convention is coming up)the ramifications are already effecting & destroying our teenagers. I want to focus on one issue of Mesifta elite ness which is the “Worship of the Intellect” syndrome.
Over the years, our admiration and prized Jewish possession has been “brains” & high cognitive skills. Whether the dream of “my son the Doctor” or “my son the Rosh Yeshiva”,, intellect was the path for success. Without a doubt, we need ‘poskim, halachic innovators, Rosh Yeshivas and deep thinkers’ to create & develop a Torah community yet….is that all we need?
I have seen the reality of the situation, a ‘lower shiur’ in a Yeshiva filled with young bochurim who are metzuyanim in chesed, ahavas yisroel, tefillah, a hands-on group will never hold a torch (in respect, admiration, or love)to the Alef Shiur’s Brains. Is it the truth that we CAN NOT revere or even admire acts of chesed, deep ahavas yisroel, physical prowess, emotional high E.Q., or sincere daveners unless they also possess brain power???
Let’s investigate this syndrome to its core. If we check biographies that have been written, articles that are penned, and stories that are told….what is the emphasize on? The past few weeks much has been written about Maran Ovadia Yosef zT”l including his phenomenon memory, Torah genius, numerous Sefarim and Halachic articles written coupled with actions and love for ‘Amcha Yisroel”. What part of his colorful life are Rebbaim, Leaders and parents focusing on? Is it his photogenic memory and visual ability to see the daf in every sefer, his 24/7 learning, or his love for distressed agunos and soldiers on the front lines, or his open house and availability to reach out to the Israeli masses? What impresses you the most?
Are you as proud of the young man who spends Thursday night at Tomche Shabbos, or teaches basketball at Camp HASC, or is the pedestal reserved soley for the boy who made a siyum on Mishnah?
When meeting a Rebbe of an Alef shiur or from a prestigious & elite mesifta we have the tendency to raise him on a pedestal over the Rebbe of the hard-working, dedicated ‘not so brilliant’ talmidim. Why??? Gaavah…..the assumption is the Alef Shiur Rebbe is more chasuv than the other. This is part and parcel of the “Worship of the Intellect” syndrome.

When we can get passed the Worship of the Intellect and phoney outside veneer, then only then will we appreciate our boys for who they are and allow them to grow, sprout and blossom as TORAH MENSCHem. Soon it will too late!!!

By: stopthemesira

stopthemesira — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:28:06 +0000

It is ABOUT TIME that someone has finally spoken the truth about the direction we are heading. SO MANY of our children are suffering so deeply because of our own self “righteousness” and hypocrisy. Children pick up inconsistency quicker than anything else we portray.

Yehi Ratzon that Hashem open our eyes to this insanity and we become TRUE Torah yidden!

Thank you Rabbi Zackst!!!