Fifth Annual Yemei Iyyun

From Sunday 24 June through Tuesday 26 June, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, in conjunction with Beit Morasha of Jerusalem, the David Cardozo Academy of Jewish Studies, the Lookstein Center for Jewish Education, and the New Jersey Association of Jewish Day Schools, held its fifth annual Yemei Iyun on Bible and Jewish Thought (brochure). The first two days of the gathering featured presentations on Bible and the last day on Jewish thought. Some of the presenters came from Israel, such as Rav Yoel Bin Nun and Rabbi Francis Nataf, and Rabbi Menachem Leibtag.
Some of the other presenters included Rabbi Aryeh Klapper, Rabbi Shalom Carmy, Rabbi Dr. David Berger, and Rabbi David Silber. A couple of in-house YCT presenters also spoke: Rabbi Saul Berman, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, and Rabbi Yamin Levy.

2006-2007 School Year Comes To A Close

On Friday 15 June, YCT had its last day of school for the 2006-2007 school year, marking the conclusion to its eighth year.

Perspectives on the Graduation (Semikha) Ceremony

Although the previous post was about the semikha ceremony, there are other posts around about it.
One non-blog article on the ceremony may be found in the NY Blueprint ("2007 Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbis"). The most notable part of that article is the following quote from Rabbi Avi Weiss:

“Where you fly and how you fly is up to you… students are often unable to make any decision without turning to their rabbi,” said Rabbi Weiss. “This is not the model of Chovevei Torah. To be sure, the rabbis and teachers here at YCT do the best to provide a process of learning critical to your success as a rabbi. But the goal of the master rabbi is to empower, not control. Not to hold on tight, but to let go… Real Torah is to reap from the master’s insight and then to find your own voice. As you celebrate your ordination, consider the imagery of walking out backwards with eyes on YCT, to forever draw from those you love and those that influence you.”

Steg had a little posting over at HOTGK, following it up with more discussion at then end of another posting.
R' Josh Yuter juxtaposed the YCT graduation with his own at RIETS, interestingly comparing and contrasting them in his "The Yeshiva and the Bazaar".