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CHIEF RABBI LAU AT STRAUS ORDINATION CEREMONY

On June 19, Shlomo Avrasin was presented with his semikha by Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, along with 14 other students of the David Falk Kollel at the yeshiva's Rabbinical Ordination Convocation. Now married and a father of three, Avrasin, 30 will assume a pulpit in his native Ukraine. "I've closed the circle that began when I first met Rabbi Brovender," he says.

Chief Rabbi Yisrael Lau, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Rabbi Chaim Brovender, surrounded by the Straus Seminary staff and newly ordained rabbis

Other students who received ordination from the Straus Seminary, in the presence of Rabbi Lau, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Rabbi Brovender, hail from Israel, the U.S., New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Russia. They have also completed a year at the Straus Seminary's Amiel: Rabbi Emanuel Rackman Practical Rabbinics Program, preparing to fill leadership positions in communities overseas.

"You are entering a world where people thirst for leaders to bring them to the wellspring of Torah," Rabbi Lau told the new rabbis before presenting them with their semikha certificates. "I pray that you will succeed in this blessed task."

Giving Back to the Community

Yisrael Cohen receives his semicha certification from Chief Rabbi Lau

Newly-ordained Rabbi Yisrael Cohen is enthusiastic about making an impact in Jerusalem, where he plans to teach, as well as in his native London. Cohen and his wife, Hannah, have kept in close contact with their community in London and are looking forward to developing exciting programs, seminars and trips that will bring families and teenagers to Israel. "And of course, our home is open to all," Cohen says. "Now that I've received my ordination, we're committed to giving back to English Jewry, which has contributed so much to us."

Rabbi Yehoshua Reich, head of the David Falk Kollel expressed his pride and trust in the new graduates. "To be called a rav is a small thing, but to act as a rav is the greatest of responsibilities," he told them. "I am confident that you will take with you the depth of learning you have experienced and serve as rabbanim in the finest sense of the word."

In Their Own Words
Some of the newly-ordained rabbis expressed their own personal thoughts about the Straus Seminary at the Semikha Convocation:

"My studies were a constant source of inspiration to me. I am in awe of my rabbis and teachers who could draw from all sources." Rabbi Avichai Appel

"One of the most tremendous honors of my life was to have learned with Rabbi Chaim Brovender." Rabbi Joshua Ross

"The learning of Torah is compared to the harvest of figs, which must be nurtured one by one. I am grateful for having studied Torah in such an environment where I could learn and grow." Rabbi Jeremy Bruce

"When I was searching for answers, Rabbi Riskin's voice was the only one I could hear. My intellectual life began when I came to learn in Yeshivat Hamivtar-Orot Lev-I enjoyed more freedom to develop there than in any other educational environment I'd experienced." Rabbi Aaron Daniel Liebman

"To my rabbis and teachers: your personal insight and teachings are the example that has brought me to this day. You will always be my teachers and my inspiration." Rabbi Yossi Etz HaSadeh

"Since G-d is a universal truth, He can be universally found. For instance, if I find an idea concerning Rambam's definition of tshuvah in Hamlet which helps me better understand the concept, I needn't reject this just because Shakespeare wrote it. If the Little Prince wonderfully describes our relationship with G-d, why not learn from there too. For He is everywhere and therefore can, and should, be found everywhere." Rabbi Jonathan Bailey

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