Latest News in Pinsk
Mazel Tov to Moshe Fhima on his birthday
The Beis Aharon schools joined together to congratulate Moshe Fhima on his birthday this week and to thank him for his continued devotion and work. The boys in the school prepared a special song and posters wishing Rabbi Fhima many more years of good health and success.
Winter Camp - 2012
During the winter vacation we ran winter camps for over 100 children from throughout Belarus. The camps were focused on giving the Jewish orphans and children of Belarus a taste of Judaism and fun in the middle of the school year.
The children had a fun time and returned home invigorated and with a further impetuous to come closer to yiddishkeit and our heritage.
Chanukas Habayis of the "Confederatzia" shul
In August the kehilla celebrated the Chanukas Habayis of the Confederatzia Shul on Kirova St - the Shul was renovated by the Kehilla and will be used as the Beis Medrash and dining room for the Beis Aharon Boys School & Orphanage.
Poland Trip - 5772
Over the Autumn vacation 90 children from around Belarus went on a Holocaust memorial trip to Poland. The trip was co-sponsored by the Claims Conference and included a four day itinerary to place in Poland including Warsaw, Krakow and Auschwitz.
The trip was an acclaimed success - with the children arriving back home with new knowledge of their own national history but with an inspiration and glimpse into the richness of Jewry as it once was and could be again today.
Many thanks to the Claims Conference for their continued help and support.
MAZEL TOV
Mazel tov to Mr and Mrs Rosenberg of Orsha who came together under the chupa kedas moshe veyisroel.
May they see only nachas and simcha from their children and family.
Boruch Dayan Haemes
We join together to mourn the petirah of R' Michel (Misha) ben R' Moshe o"h.
R' Michel was a regular member of the minyan in Pinsk - he came to Shacharis daily for the past six years - hardly missing a day. R' Michel was renowned for his sense of humor and "varmkeit".
May his neshomo be a meilitz yosher.
MAZEL TOV
Mazel tov to R' Yitzchok and Basha from the Babroisk kehilla - who came together in Pinsk to make a chupa kedas moshe veyisroel.
May they live until 120 with gezunt, nachas and simcha.
Yomim Tovim in Pinsk
The chagim in Pinsk were an inspiration and chizuk for everyone who was there to experience it.
For Rosh Hashana we were joined by R' Yochonon Berman from NY - who led the tefillos in the inimitable nusach of Karlin-Stolin.
For the first time in five years Mishpachas Fhima stayed in Pinsk for Sukos - bringing an extra dose of energy and geshmak to the yom tov.
Over Sukos - we were joined by alumni and youth from around the country who came to Pinsk to be with us for the chag.
20-September - Six Brisim!
Mazel tov to Reuven, Avner, Moshe Dovid, Eliyahu, Meir and Alexander Moshe!
On the 21st of Elul these six children made the step of joining the Bris of Avrohom Avinu.
The mohel was R' Mordche Zvi Salomon - who travelled from Zurich to do these brissim.
B'ezras Hashem they will grow l'Torah, Chupa and Maasim Tovim.
Beis Aharon
And the school year has begun. Over 100 children are currently enrolled in the Beis Aharon boarding schools and orphanages.
We have many new children from all over the country - the vast majority of whom were in the Yad Yisroel summer camps in July and August.
B'ezrash Hashem we will have a succesful year - and see only nachas and simchos.
Graduates!
We have beaten our own record. This year 68 graduates of Beis Aharon are flying abroady to study in moisdos around the world. Our graduate budget this year has topped 1.3 million dollars.
A special thanks to Rabbi Lander & Dr Kadish of Touro College for their tremendous work in helping a group of 14 girls study in Touro College - Flatbush.
Boys Camp II has begun!
And once again this year Yad Yisroel has fulfilled it's pledge to provide the Jewish children of Belarus with a full time summer program.
On the 11th of August we began our second boys camp - with over 45 boys from throughout the country joining together with a group of counselors from NY, Detroit, London and Israel to have an healthy and inspiring two weeks of fun.
Girls Camp Begins!
And it is already July 19th! Time has flown and Yad Yisroel girls camp 2011 has begun.
With over 100 campers - Yad Yisroel has gotten off to a good start.
To see pictures from camp - click here
Yasha & Naomi
Mazel Tov to Yasha & Naomi who got married in the Yad Yisroel summer camp in "Bela Ozera" - near the city of Brest-Brisk.
Yasha is a local boy who was in Yad Yisroel summer camps for many years. When he turned 17 he decided to go to Yeshiva in Israel - today he is happily married and will be learning in Kolel in Yerusholayim.
Mazel Tov! Mazel Tov!
Boys Camp Begins
And the summer is here! Once again Yad Yisroel steps in as the sole provider of a relaxing and healthy summer vacation for the hundreds of Jewish children of Belarus.
This year Yad Yisroel is running camps continuously from the beginning of July until the end of August - helping as many children as possible to enjoy their summer vacation in a Jewish environment.
This year there were over 140 people in the boys camp - from cities and villages all over the country.
To see pictures from camp click here.
3rd June - Mazel Tov to Yehuda and Elisheva Sirota
Mazel Tov to Elisheva Dauhapolava on her wedding to Yehuda Sirota of Brooklyn NY.
Elisheva is a graduate of Beis Aharon, Pinsk and she finished high school in the prestigious Beis Yaakov of Denver.
Today Elisheva is learning in Meohr Seminary in Brooklyn and also studying in Touro College.
We wish her and her family Mazel tov - they should build together a bayis neeman beyisroel.
15th June - End of School Year
And on the 15th of June 2011 - Beis Aharon Boarding School & Orphanage finished it's 11th academic year. Sixteen students graduated from Yad Yisroel this year and another five students from the younger classes are leaving to study in schools in Israel and the USA.
Of the graduates 5 of them received "Diploma of Excellence" for achieving excellent grades in subjects across the board.
By the graduation seminary Mr Yosef Lieberman - the President of the Pinsk Jewish Community spoke about the long history of Jews in Pinsk and the advancement which has taken place in Pinsk over the past ten years.
Each student received a sidur with their name embossed on the cover - a tool to help them live their lives.
This year Yad Yisroel has over 70 students studying abroad in moisdos around the world. The overall cost of our graduate program is valued at over 1.2 million dollars. We wish our graduates success in all their endeavours.
Shavuos
A true kidush Hashem - over a hundred people were gathered in Shul on Shavuos night - learning with a geshmake rarely seen in Pinsk since the yeshivas of Pre-war Europe.
The girls school joined together to recite the entire sefer Tehilim over the night of Shevuos.
Lag B'Omer
Bar Yochai - Nimshachto ashrecho! As the 50 boys danced together to the light of the medura - we joined with Jewish communities throughout the world in celebrating the yartzheit of R' Shimon Bar Yochai.
May the zechus of the tzadik be a shield for all of us.
Veyikore Shemo Beyisroel!
Mazel tov to Levi Yitzchok Garelik - a young boy from the 7th grade who had his bris on 7 Iyar.
He should grow to Torah, Chupa and Maasim Tovim!
Boruch Dayan Ha-emes
It is with great sorrow that we heard of the petira of R' Berel Starobisky (Berel Kadish) on Shvi'i shel Pesach.
R' Berel was a truly inspirational character who has been a fixture of the Pinsk Kehila over the past ten years. R' Berel cycled 30km every morning to come to Shul to daven shacharis with a minyan.
R' Berel was zoiche at age 80 to be mekadesh his wife under the Chupa - kedos moshe veyisroel.
His neshomo should be a meilitz yosher for ganz klal yisroel.
Pesach is here!
There were three sedorim in Pinsk on Lel Seder with close to 100 participants at each seder. The boys school made history by having the seder in the newly refurbished Confederatsia Shul on Kirova St. The building will now going to be used as a Beis Medrash and dining room for the boys school.
Over the entire yom tov we were serving 145 people three meals a day - over 4000 meals over the entire chag.
Chol Hamoed was enjoyed by the entire town – despite the fact that due to limited financial resources the trips and activities were all local in Pinsk – nevertheless the שמחה was tangible throughout the entire chag.
Mazel Tov!
Lel Bedikas Chometz!
Everywhere else in the world yidden were checking their houses for chometz - but here in Pinsk we were celebrating the marriage of a young couple from Belarus as they joined together under the chupa to begin their lives as one.
The young couple should live together ad 120 and build together a bayis neeman beyisroel!
Bruchim Haboim!
Welcome to Rabbi Yochonon Berman shlit"a and his family who have joined us here in Pinsk for Pesach.
Rabbi Berman is the founder of the Pinsk Jewish Community and comes every year to help and inspire the Jewish community.
Mazel Tov! 
Mazel tov to Elisheva Dauhapolava and her choson Yehuda Leib on their engagement.
Elisheva is a former pupil of Beis Aharon School in Pinsk - she continued to finish high school in Beis Yakov Denver. She is currently enrolled in the Yad Yisroel - Touro College program in Brooklyn NY.
They should build a bayis neeman beyisroel! Mazel Tov!
Taharas Hamishpacha Seminar
Shabbos Parshas Metzora saw a stunning Kiddush Hashem with over 100 young people from throughout Belarus joining together in Pinsk for a weekend of inspiration and spirituality.
The theme of the seminar was the modern problem of assimilation and the importance of living a Jewish life. The seminar was organized by Rabbi Avi Gevirtsman and hosted two guest speakers from Israel.
Pesach Distribution
In the two weeks before Pesach Yad Yisroel distributed Matzos, Grape Juice and other Pesach essentials (including oil, cheese, butter etc.) to Kehilos throughout Belarus. These communities included Minsk, Vitebsk, Brest, Babroisk and Mogilev.
Rosh Chodesh Nisan - Pesach Shipment
Over the first week of Nisan we received our yearly shipment of Pesach food from the USA and UK. A special yasher koach to R' Shlomo Noach Mandel of The Canadian Foundation, Mr Avi Feld of London and to Mr Dov Lent of Manchester for their help!
A Frielichen Purim!
Purim in Pinsk - a yom tov not to be missed!
Purim was an action packed and fun filled day for the entire kehila here in Pinsk. On motzei Shabbos the Kehila came together for the Krias Hamegilla followed by a long program in Shul.
On Purim day the entire wider community attended the annual Purim Concert. This year the boys from the Beis Aharon school really outdid themselves with a play reenacting the Purim story. The play was followed by half an hour of songs about Purim and the chag.
One song was performed in loving memory of R' Reuven Kordova Zatza"l - the father of Rebetzin Riki Fhima - who passed away recently. ZY"O.
The Purim seuda was a time of true joy and simcha - fulfilling the requirement of halocho - to drink "Ad delo yoda"!
Mazel Tov - Wedding - 14 Adar 1
Mazel Tov to Yisroel and Yuliya Trefimov who got married in Pinsk on Thursday night.
Yisroel is a graduate of the Beis Aharon school and is currently living in the Gomel Jewish Community.
We wish them brocho and hatzlocha and they should build a bayis neeman beyisroel.
Nichum Aveleim - Harav Reuven Kordova A"H
We join together in mourning the petirah of R' Reuven Kordova A"H - the father of Rebetzin Riki Fhima.
Hamokom yenachem eschem besoch sheor aveilei tzion vi'yerusholayim
Mazel Tov - 9th grade Beis Aharon Boys
Mazel tov to the 9th grade of the Beis Aharon school in Pinsk on the completion of Hilchos Melicha.
They should continue to finish many more seforim and halochos.
Mazel Tov!!
A big mazel tov to the five Beis Aharon graduates currently studying in Yeshiva Tal Torah, Lakewood NJ on the completion of Mesechas Psochim and to their Rebbi - Rabbi Yosef Amsel.
May they continue to grow and succeed in their learning.
Mazel Tov to Boruch and Chani Shofnos!!
A big mazel tov to Boruch Shofnos and his wife Chani on their wedding. Boruch has been working in Pinsk for over six years as the dorm counselor in the boys school.
We join together to wish him Bracha, Hatzlocha and much happiness in his life.
Tu Bishvat in Pinsk
On Wednesday night the children of the Beis Aharon Orphanage and School celebrated what was for many their first experience of TuBishvat.
Over 100 children joined together for an evening of programs and inspiration. Beginning with a festive meal, the evening continued with various programs including competitions and contests. The children finished the evening with a new understanding of the fruits of the Land of Israel and a new appreciation of the wonders of the world which we live in.
Mazel Tov - Wedding - 28 Shevat
Mazel Tov to Orly Yaretz from Kalinkovich and Yaakov from Khrakov. Orly is a graduate of the Beis Aharon school. After graduation she continued her studies in Machon Meir in Yerusholayim.
We wish the young couple a lot of hatzlocha in their future life together.
Mazel Tov - Wedding - 13 Teves
Mazel Tov to Esther Juravskaya and Levi Lazaroff on their wedding. Esther is a graduate of the Beis Aharon school. The young couple are going to be living in Moscow in the Jewish community where Levy is studying for his semicha.
Mazel Tov - Wedding - 17 Kislev
Mazel tov to Pinchas Tarasenko from Grodno and Elisheva Inishev from Lvov on their wedding.
The Chasuna is in Toronto where both Choson and Kallah have been studying for the past few years.
The choson is a graduate of the Beis Aharon School.
Mazel Tov - Engagement! - 23 Kislev
Mazel tov to Moshe Leib Paskevich from Mogilov and Yehudit Klipach. Moshe Leib is a graduate of Beis Aharon school in Pinsk and is now living in the USA. After graduating from the school in Pinsk he learnt in Yeshiva Chaim Berlin in NY.
We wish the young couple a lot of bracha and hatzlacha.
New Yad Yisroel Office in New York
We are happy to announce that Yad Yisroel Headquaters has moved to it's new offices. The new address for Yad Yisroel is:
1070 38th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
All phone numbers are unchanged.
Mazel Tov!!!s
Mazel tov to Daniel Kamisarchik - a graduate of Beis Aharon, Pinsk - on his engagement to Ayelet from Kiev, Ukraine.
Mazel Tov!!!
Mazel Tov to Sasha Debrova and his Kalla on their wedding. They should build together a true bayis neeman beyisrael.
Sasha is a graduate of the Beis Aharon boys school and he continued his education in the Ohr Sameach yeshiva in Monsey, NY.
Mazel Tov!!!
We join with the entire Klal Yisroel in wishing our heartfelt Mazel Tov to the "young" 60 year old couple Mr and Mrs Simon Barrisovich who were married Kdas Moshe VeYisroel with Chupa and Kidushin on the 8th night of Chanukah.
Simon Barrisovich has worked in the Beis Aharon school for ten years. He and his wife should live together in happiness and good health until 120.
Chanukah in Pinsk
Chanukah in Pinsk is a time of "Achdus" - connecting. The entire Pinsk Jewish Community comes together to join in the Simcha and joy of Chanukah.
This year over 700 Jews from around the region came to join us at our annual Chanukah Concert. Every night of Chanukah bochurim from the Yeshiva went around town to the Jewish families of the wider community and lit with them Chanukah candles. 
"They brough the light into my home" says Chana - an 80 year old women who husband is in bed recovering from cancer treatment. "They bought Chanukah to me."
Over 300 Menora's were distributed in Pinsk. Every night there were parties in Boys School, Girls School and in Shul.
Honored Guests
Pinsk was honored over Shabbos Parsha Vayeshev to be visited by a number of guests. First and foremost were Rabbi Shteierman and his wife - Rabbi Shteierman is the leading strength behind Yad Yisroel and it is always a pleasure for us to see him here in Pinsk. Over the course of the Shabbos he spoke in both the Boys School, Yeshiva and attended the Engagement of Boruch Shofnos - a bochur who has been working in Pinsk for over 4 years.
We were also joined by a group of guests from Brooklyn, NY - led by the "Shamas of Berdichev" - Rabbi Feivish Mendelovich who joined us for the Shabbos.
MAZEL TOV to Ilana Amanuk on her Bas Mitzva!
On the 2nd of Kislev Ilana (Anya) Amanuk became Bas Mitzvah. Ilana joined our school at the beginning of this year after coming to Yad Yisroel's summer camp in Brest.
We wish Ilana Hatzlocha in her future life and she continue in her chosen path to be a true "Bas Yisroel".
Mazel to family Orshansky 
Mazel Tov to Sheina and Yehuda Orshansky on the birth, Bris and Pidyon Haben of their son Yeshaya.
Sheina is a graduate of Beis Aharon Girls school - she is married to Yehuda Orshansky of Gateshead, UK and they live here in Pinsk.
Hashem should bless them with only nachas - they should bring up Yeshaya to Torah, Chupah and Maasim Tovim.
RuBracha Tickets
The girls and boys of Bais Aharon now have a new initiative to say brachos with concentration. They recieve "Rubracha" tickets (like Rubles) for saying brachos. For one tefillas shacharis they can recieve 40,000 RuBracha Rubles! They are now excited to say brachos and are looking forward to the RuBracha store where they can spend their "money".
Rochel Imainu's Yartzheit
The Bais Aharon Girls' School had a special program in memory of Rachel Imeinu. They learned the song "Mama Rochel" in Russian and listened to the story about Rochel Imainu. Each girl lit a candle in memory of Rachel on her Yaartzheit.
Chol Hamoed
As always, Pinsk on Chol Hamoed is the place to be. There was a tangible simcha in the air - as the members of the kehila joined together with the children in school for various activities including a Simchas Beis Hashoeva, ice skating, hiking, swimming, boating, and a trip to the amusement park.
Sukos in Pinsk was filled with a feeling of true happiness and achdus.
September 1st - The start of a new School Year
On the 1st of September, we opened our doors to the start of a new school year. Despite the fact that we sent over 16 of last years students abroad to study around the world - we started the year with over 100 students.
We look forward to a happy succesful year.
Graduates are sent to study around the world
Over fifty girls and boys, all graduates of Bais Aharon, are now studying in schools, colleges, seminaries and yeshivos throughout the world. For many of them, this opportunity to study in America, England, Israel, or Canada is an exciting start of a new stage in life. Yad Yisroel has sponsored their tickets and education thereby impacting numerous lives in a tremendous way.
For more information on our graduates and to have a part in providing this life-saving opportuity to many Jewish Belarussian children, please visit our sos page by clicking here.
August 24 - MAZEL TOV!!!
Mazel to to R' Akiva Broide, the dedicated shaliach of Minsk, and his wife Ariella on the birth of their son! Hakodosh Boruch Hu should bless them with Nachas from all their children עד מאה ועשרים שנה.
Camp in Berdichev
After a very succesful first half of camp, Yad Yisroel is running a second camp in Berdichev, Ukraine. Children from thoughout Belarus are going to Ukraine to spend their summer in a happy and relaxed enviroment where they will learn more about their heritage.
Mazel tov Pinchas and Sheina
Mazel tov Pinchas and Shaina Tsinman on their marriage in Minsk, Belarus. Shaina is a graduate of Bais Aharon in Pinsk. The Pinsk and Minsk communities enjoyed the chasuna in the new kosher restaraunt in Minsk.
We are happy that they will be joining our warm kehilla in Pinsk.
May they be zoche to build a bayis neeman biysroel.
SUMMER CAMPS 2010
"Our camp," says Nastya, age 10, "is special for Jewish girls. We have lots of fun activities, they teach us Jewish letters and we even eat special Jewish food!"
For many girls and boys from throughout Belarus, Camp Yad Yisroel is their first time experiencing the beauty of their heritage. Hundreds of children, aged 7 - 20, are now enjoying every moment in Camp Yisroel. For many of them, this happy begining will lead to a life dedicated to Torah and Mitzvos as they join the Bais Aharon schools in Pinsk.
This camp is free of charge for the campers. But the expenses are tremendous. A campus is rented, nutricious meals and snacks are served throughout the day, and the children are all happy and satisfied. But this might have to come to an end. A camp is planned for August and many campers are already enrolled and looking forward. But the funds for this camp are seriously lacking.
Can we let these children slip through our hands?
Mazel tov!
Mazel tov to Yitschok and Sara (Pigulskaya) Samedov on the birth of a baby daughter. Sara and Yitschok were both students of Bais Ahraon and continued on to study in Canada.
May they have much nachas from their daughter!
July 3- Mishpacha Kihalacha Seminar
The Mishpacha Kihalacha program run by Rabbi Avi Gewirtzman organized another extremely succesful seminar on Taharas Hamishpacha for Jewish families from around Belarus.
Over 70 people attended the seminar and each one came out inspired after the Shabbos which was complete with a happy atmosphere and interesting speeches.
Mishpacha Kihalacha has already arranged many chupos for Jewish couples from throughout Belarus who decided to start keeping the halachos of a Jewish home.
June 21- Camp Yad Yisroel Boys
Camp Yad Yisroel started today after much planning and anticipation. Happy campers arrived from all over the country looking forward to a summer of fun!
We are sure it will be another great experiance in Camp Yad Yisroel!
June 14- Mazal tov Eliyahu and Shira
Mazal tov Shira (Dirabina) and Eliyahu Tarutaev on their wedding in Toronto. Rabbi Moshe Fhima was zoche to be at this chasuna which was a beautiful and happy event.
May they be zoche to build a bayis neemon beyisroel.
June 13- Mazal tov Yakov Dovid and Gita
Mazal tov Yakov Dovid and Gita Kluchnikov on their wedding in Brooklyn New York. Rabbi Fhima flew in from Pinsk to attend the chasuna. It was a beautiful simcha and a reunion for the Beis Aharon graduates in America and Canada.
May this be the begining of a life of happiness together.
Mazal tov! Mazal tov! to Rabbi Shteirman
The Pinsk family would like to extend our warmest wishes to Rabbi Shteirman and his family on his daughter's wedding. We also wish him Mazal tov on the engagement of his son!
Kol hoskim betzorchei tzibur bemuna Hakodesh Baruch Hu yeshalem sechorom!
Beis Aharon Graduation
The 11th grade in Beis Aharon boys and girls schools graduated last week we're very proud of our graduates who will be studying in Yeshivos, Seminaries and Colleges throughout the world including Touro College, Ateret Yehudit and Yeshivas Kol Yakov.
May they have much hatzlocha in their studies and in all their endeavors.
Mazel tov Pinchas and Shaina!
Mazel tov to our graduate Shaina Weintraub on her engagement in Minsk! We are looking forward to celebrating the chasuna soon!
May they be zoche to build a bayis neeman biyisroel!
May 28- Stoliner Rebbe in Moscow
Thw Bais Ahraon Boys School along with some Rabbeim from Pinsk and bochurim from Yeshivas Peer Yisroel traveled to Moscow for a Shabbos of inspiration with the Stoliner Rebbe. It was an uplifting experience that each boy will remember for a long time.
New Shipment in Kosher Store
Thanks to constant efforts of R' Elchonon Litke, the kosher store in Pinsk is restocked with a variety of kosher food not available anywhere else in the country.
To have a zechus in providing kosher food for hundreds of Jewish children, please email us at info@yadyisroel.com.
Brissim of the Sitnick Family
Mazel tov! Three Sitnick brothers from Mozhir has their brissim on Wednesday. Their names are Raphael, Menachem Mendel and Boruch! The Sitnick family has been associated with Yad Yisroel for many years - their oldest daughter Miriam is a former pupil of the Beis Aharon School and their boys have attended our summer camps for many years.
Lag Baomer 5770
On Lag Beomer the boys school went on a weekend trip to Berdichev in Ukraine. They were welcomed there by R Feivish Medelovich and his staff of devoted workers. The Shabbos and the medurah on Motzei Shabos will be remembered by the talmidim of the school for a long time to come.
Back in Pinsk the girls school made a fire Leilui Nishmas R' Shimon Bar Yochai. On Lag Beomer day the school went on a trip around kivrei tzadikim in Mir, Radin and Volozhin.
19 April 2010 - Veyikori Shemoi Beyisroel
Mazel Tov to R' Alexander Finski and his wife on the bris of their son - Yakov Chaim. Kesheim Shenichnas Labris Kein Yikoneis Letorah Ulechupo Ulemaasim Toivim.
This year in Pinsk - לשנה הבאה בירושלים 
Even though almost 20 years have passed since the downfall of the iron curtain, for many yidden in the city of Pinsk, this Pesach was the first time that they ever ate matzo and drank four cups of wine.
While American Jewry was making their last preparations on Erev Pesach, thousands of miles away in Belarus, thousands of Yidden were having a Seder thanks to Yad Yisroel and our many supporters.
The four communal Sedarim were hosted for a number of different groups - totaling a few hundred people . For the general community; the boy’s dormitory; the girl’s dormitory; and for the first time ever - the Jewish Student Center. For many of them it was the first time they ever experienced a Seder. For some of the students, this Seder night will be the beginning of a long journey back to their roots.
At one of the Sedorim, Yaakov - an 80 year old man, visiting relatives from a different city (where there is no Jewish community life), broke down in tears. After inquiring what happened he said the last Seder he attended was 70 years earlier in 1940 with his parents. His parents were killed during the war and since then he had never attended a Seder. Seeing the Seder flooded his head with his memories when he was a ten year old child still before the war with his parents.
The central dining room in Pinsk fed - over the first few days of Yom Tov - close to 4000 meals. Some of those include 7 young couples who are all former students of the Yad Yisroel educational projects in Pinsk, elderly, students and guests from all over the country who came to spend the entire Pesach at their spiritual home in Pinsk.
During Chol Hamoed the children went on trips, and the special feeling of Yom Tov was enhanced in a family atmosphere.
Hearing “Echod Mi Yodea” (Adin Kto Znayet?) and “Chad Gadya” (Adin Kozla, Adin Kozla) being sung in Russian is always a very emotional time seeing how these Jews who were nearly destroyed by Hitler and Stalin outlived both, and can still continue to keep the beautiful Jewish traditions.
In Minsk - the capital city of Belarus - in the Lech Lecha student center, a project recently taken over by Yad Yisroel, five Sedarim were held simultaneously for various levels and ages. Due to a shortage of staff some of the students themselves had classes before Pesach and learned how to conduct a Seder. Boruch Hashem, many of these students attend Torah Classes throughout the year, and as a result are marrying within the fold.
Throughout Pesach a dormitory was provided for those children or students who wanted to keep Pesach.
For the communities of Mogilev, Orsha, Vitebsk, Brest and Gommel, Yad Yisroel supplied Grape Juice, matzoh, and other basic products needed for Pesach.
The highlight of every Pesach is the singing of Leshona Haba’ah B’Yerushalayim -which when you live in these parts of the world has so much more meaning!
March 18 - Simon Tov Umazel Tov!!!
Tonight the Pinsk Jewish Community celebrated the wedding of Yehuda and Shaina Orshansky. The simcha in the town was tangible as another graduate of the Beis Aharon school was married under the chupa to a true Ben Torah and Yerei Shomayim.
Yehuda and Sheina will start their married life in Pinsk - Yehuda is joining the Kehilla Kolel and Sheina will be working in the Gan.
We wish them Mazel Tov - Shetizku livnos bayis neeman beyisroel!
Tuesday, March 2- Mazel tov Shaina and Yehuda!
Mazel tov to Sheina Svorobovich and Yehuda Orshansky on their recent engagement! Shaina was a student in Bais Aharon and then she continued her studies in Bais Chaya Rochel in Gateshead.
The chasuna will take place im Yirtzeh Hashem in Pinsk on March 18.
May they be zoche to build a bayis neeman biyisroel!
Mazel tov Shira and Eliyahu!
Shira Deriabina became a Kallah to Eliyahu Tarutaev, a talmid of Reishis Chachmah in Toronto. Shira was a talmida in Bais Aharon. She went on to study in Toronto and then in seminary in Montreal. They will be getting married in Toronto iyH.
Sunday- March 28- Purim Sameach
Purim in Pinsk was exciting for the entire Jewish community. Starting with megila reading and Purim parties in both schools, the Purim atmosphere was happy and jolly! The concert Purim day was a grand success, the highlight being the Purim story acted out by the boys school!
Sunday- February 21- Mazel tov Mishpachas Goldblatt
Mazel tov to Yossi and Sarah Faige Goldblatt on the birth of a new baby daughter! A special mazel tov to Malky!
Monday, February 1- Mazel tov Avraham and Rivka Krohl!
Mazel tov to two of our Bais Aharon alumni on the birth of a baby girl! Avraham Krohl studied in Bais Aharon Boys' School and then continued on to learn in Yeshivas Kol Yaakov in Monsey, New York. Rivka attended Bais Aharon Girls School and then studied in Bais Chaya Rochel in Gateshead, England. They got married and moved to Kiev to be part of the kollel. The whole pinsk mishpacha is very excited about the newest addition!
Sunday, January 31- Mazel tov Yaakov Dovid Kluchnikov and Gita Zecharava
Yaakov Dovid, a graduate of Yad Yisroel boys' school in Lvov and then Yeshiva University, and Gita, a graduate of Bais Aharon in Pinsk and a current student of Ohr Nava in Brooklyn, announced their engagement in on Sunday. The vort will iyH be held in Boro Park on Motzei Shabbos.
May they build a bayis neeman biyisroel!
Jewish Student Center
History was made in Pinsk today with the opening session of the Pinsk Jewish Student Center. The JSC is being run by R' Yisroel Kochus and R' Shlomie Pilchick.
The first session was attented by 10 Jewish girls who are studying in various Pinsk Universities. The first shiur was given by Rabbi Moshe Fhima. The shiur was a great success. All the participants were very inspired and expressed strong interest in continuing with the program and in bringing their friends. The potential for this program is immense. Over 7000 students study in colleges and universities around the town with a minimum of 5% of them being Jewish.
We need your help! The JSC is looking for a building to be used as the center of it's operations. With plans for a computer room, Kosher kitchen, lecture room and lounge - the JSC center will attract many more students to join the programs. If you can help us please read further: Jewish Student Center
7 Teves - Mazel Tov to R' Yakov Shteierman on the engagement of his daughter
Mazel Tov!! Mazel Tov!!
On behalf of the entire Pinsk community we would like to wish Mazel Tov to Rabbi Y Shteierman, the long time adminstrator of Yad Yisroel on the engagement of his daughter.
They should be zoiche to build a bayis ne'eman beyisroel leshem uletiferes.
A Freilichin Chanuka!
Chanuka in Pinsk was as geshmake and enjoyable as every year. With programs every evening after Hadlokas Neiros along with several chanuka mesibos/parties around the town the children of Beis Aharon experienced Chanuka to the full.
Highlights of Chanuka included dreidel games, ice skating, a chanuka concert and the town chanuka party.
Chanuka Concert
On the 2nd night of chanuka we were treated to a Chanuka concert performed by the students of the Beis Aharon boys school and the bochurim of the Pe'er Yisroel Yeshiva.
Attended by all the Jewish residents of Pinsk along with many visitors and guests from throughout Belarus, the concert was enjoyed by all those who came.
With a fun filled program including songs by the school boys, a guest brass band and a lottery for all those attending the concert, the joy of Chanuka was spread to all!
November 30- MAZEL TOV PINCHAS AND YAFIT!
Bais Aharon shul was decorated beautifully in honor of the special occasion. Special lights were set up outside with the chuppa, and the kalla chair was covered in white decorated with beautiful flowers.
The chasuna was a special simcha for the Pinsk kehilla as both Pinchas and Yafit attended the Bais Aharon schools. Guests came in from all over the world - America, Israel, Kiev, and England- to be part of the wonderful occasion. Kobi came from Israel to play the music, and really helped made the chasuna leibidik.
The happiness was felt by everyone who attended the simcha, in the most part due to the wonderful chasan and kalla!
Sheva brachos will be made every night by different familes of the kehilla and there will also be sheva brachos for the yeshiva, the girls school and the boys school.
May we be zoche to have many more simchos in klal yisroel throughout the world!
November 28- Aufruf and Shabbos Kalla
After much anticipation, the day of the chasuna is drawing near. The Aufruf will be in Bais Aharon Shul with a kiddush after davening. The Shabbos kalla will be Friday night in girls school with dancing, games, candy, and each class in school will have a chance to give brachos to the kalla.
Grand Reopening!! Pinsk Kosher Store!
It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Elchonon Litke on the opening of the kosher store to benefit the greater Pinsk Jewish community.
The store is unbelivably well stocked with dairy and meat products as well as candy, baking products, spices, and drinks. The food has to be imported at a great expense from different countries where kosher food is available.
"Pinskaya Pizza," a pizza take-out ran by Elchonon Litke, assisted by bochurim from the yeshiva, is also part of the exciting project.
This store will not only greatly benefit the families of the kehilla, it will also enable the children from throughout the country who are in our schools to keep kosher in Belarus where this is the only store of it's kind in the whole country. To be part of the tremendous zechus of subsidizing kosher food, click here for more information about the store and sponsorship opportunites.
November 22- Brissim and Bar Mitzva Seuda
The brissim of three boys from school as well as Yisroel and Aliza Kochis' new baby boy were celebrated at a grand seudas mitzva for the Bais Aharon Boys School and the families of the kehilla. This was also a bar mitzva seuda for one of the boys from school. It was a tremendous simcha and surely a nachas to Hashem to have so many simchos on one day in the Bais Aharon Shul in Pinsk.
November 15- Mazel tov Mishpachas Gewirtzman!
What an exciting day for the Pinsk mishpacha! Mazel tov to Avi and Odel Gewirtzman on the birth of a baby boy today in Eretz Yisroel. May he be a source of nachas to his family and the gantz klal yisroel!
November 15- Mazel tov Mishpachas Kochis!
Mazel tov to Yisroel and Aliza Kochis on the birth of a baby boy, born today in Pinsk. Aliza was a student in the first class of Bais Aharon Girls School in Pinsk. May they be zoche to raise him litorah, lichupa, ulima'asim tovim!
Upcoming Chasuna- November 30
We are counting down to the upcoming chasuna of Pinchas Eliyahu and Yafit which is scheduled for November 30. Preparations are underway- the hall, photographer, and musician are booked and we are looking forward to seeing the various guests who are coming to Pinsk especially for the simcha.
Please take this as a personal invitation!
Upcoming Brissim
On the 1st of December, a mohel will be visiting Pinsk. Two of the boys who recently joined the Beis Aharon school have agreed to have a Bris. Yad Yisroel is also arranging for the mohel to visit other cities in Belarus and perform brisim in more of the Jewish communities around the country.
Zeman Simchaseinu
Succos was an extremely joyous time for the community in general and the schools in specific. The children were involved in building and decorating the succos and they were all very excited for the Chag to begin. Sitting in the sukka together, the children truly felt like part of one happy family.
Chol Hamoed was full of programs- trips around the country, iceskating, a barbeque, a simchas beis hashoava- which helped make the chag of Succos was a happy time for each child. Counselors came in from England and America and really added a tremendous amount to the overall ruach in the community.
Yamim Noraim in Pinsk
The Yamin Noraim are an inspring time worldwide. But in Pinsk, Belarus, it is especially heartwarming to see many children davening during these holy days for their first time.
The girls school and boys school davened in the Bais Aharon shul for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and it was amazing to see how these children stood and davened the long shemone esreis with so much kavanna. It was surely a zechus for the entire Klal Yisroel.
September 14- Nesiya Kedosha to Radin with Kupat Hair
A group of 120 people from Eretz Yisroel visited Lithuania and Belarus last Monday. Yad Yisroel organized the trip for Kupat Hair.
After visting Vilna, the group traveled to Radin where they were joined by the Bais Aharon boys school. There were many gedolim on the trip and the Bais Aharon Boys' School as well as the visitors really gained a lot from the uplifting experience.
September 7 - Pizza in Pinsk
Once again, the Pinsk Pizza Parlor is open for business. Run by Elchonon Litke, Pinsk has the only Kosher pizza store in Belarus. The pizza store provides pizza for the schools and the rest of the community.
September 6 - Mazel Tov - Sara Pigulskaya and 
Yitschok Samedov
Mazel to two of Yad Yisroel's Graduates - Sara and Yitschok.
Sara has been studying in Montreal Seminary for the past years, and Yitschok was studying in the Torah Research Academy in Toronto.
May they be zoche to build a Bayis Ne'eman B'Yisroel.
September 1 - Welcome Back
On September 1st, the school year in Pinsk began. With record numbers of new students in the Beis Aharon Boarding Schools, our dormitories and classrooms are filled to the maximum. We have over 25 new students in the school. Many of them were in our summer camps and after camp decided to join our schools.
August 26- A big big Mazel Tov!
A big mazel tov from the entire Pinsk family to Rabbi Moishe and Rebbitzin Rikki Fhima on the birth of a baby boy, Aharon, and a baby girl, Miriam!! May they bring much nachas to their parents, big sisters, and all of Klal Yisroel!
August 23- Brissim in Boys Camp
We were zoche to celebrate four brissim of our campers on Sunday. The names of the boys are as follows.
1. Dima Mamoika, 8, from Mogilov - Now:Moshe
2. Maxim Golaven, 10, from Bobruisk - Now: Shlomie
3. Sergay Grameiko, 13, from Gomel - Now: Avrohom
4. Timur Gusienof, 9, from Gomel - Now: Daniel
The mohel was Rabbi Rubin from Eretz Yisroel. There was joyous singing and dancing followed by a seudas mitzva. May these children be a zechus to bring closer the geula!
August 20 - Girls Camp 
Boruch Hashem we had an amazing second camp. Over 40 girls joined us for our second summer camp in Na Rostinach near Minsk. The program, run by warm and devoted counselors, was well organized and filled each and every day with fun. Hakaras Hatov was the theme in camp and each day the girls worked on being thankful for a different thing with the activites all centered around the theme of the day.
August 19 - MAZEL TOV!!! Wedding of Mr and Mrs Chernin from Babroisk
On Tuesday evening Yad Yisroel was zoiche to celebrate the wedding of Mr and Mrs Cherning from Babroisk, Belarus. Mr Chernin is the Rosh Kehilla of the Babroisk Jewish Community. At the beginning of the summer he and his wife attended Yad Yisroel's seminar on Taharas HaMishpacha - Jewish Family Purity and they made the decision to have a Jewish Chupa. They should live happily together for many years to come.
August 18 - MAZEL TOV!!! Engagement of Pinchos Eliyohu and Yefit
MAZEL TOV - On Monday August 7th Yad Yisroel celebrated the Vort of Pinchos Eliyohu and Yefit. Both are graduates of the Beis Aharon School in Pinsk. Pinchos Eliyohu studied in Mesivta d'Manchester and in Yeshivas Kol Yaakov in New York. Yefit graduated in Pinsk and then studied for two years in Beis Chaya Rochel Seminary in Gateshead.
The engagement took place in the Girls Summer camp in Na Rostinach (Minsk). Be'ezras Hashem they should build a Bayis Ne'eman B'Yisroel.
August 5- Yad Yisroel Camps in Minsk
The girls camp, starting on August 5, will be in Minsk in a resort where the beautiful scenery will add to the girls' experience in Camp Yad Yisroel. The boys camp will be on a campgrounds near Minsk, in Stolbcy, which is near the infamous town of Mir, a major Torah center before WWII. It will start on August 9. Counselors are coming in from England to spend their summer in both a meaningful and fun way. Over one hundred campers are expected to be joing the programs and we are sure it will be a memorable experience for each one.
July 30- Tisha B'av
We are sorry to inform you of the petira of our devoted gabbai, Marat. He worked tirelessly for the Bais Aharon shul, always insuring it was in running order. The levaya will be in Pinsk on Sunday. His work for the klal will surely be a zechus for his neshama.
July 16- Camp Yad Yisroel a tremendous success!
As the first half of Camp Yad Yisroel comes to a close, we are happy to report that it was once again a summer filled with fun and growth. Each one of the campers came out with a fresh feeling for Yiddishkeit and with warm memories which will carry them through the years.
Boruch Hashem, because of the camp's success, many children have decided to leave public school and join Bais Aharon Schools in Pinsk next year.
We are looking forward to the second half of camp which we are sure will also have a positive effect on the many campers from thorughout the country who will be joining us in August.
June 19- Mishpacha Ki-Halacha Seminar
The Pinsk community hosted a seminar for couples from throughout Belarus entitles Mishpacha Ki- Halacha. The program was organized by Rabbi Moshe Fhima and Rabbi Avi Gewirtzman.
Speakers were flown in from Eretz Yisroel and the event was a great success.
June 17 - Summer Camps
On June 17 the Pinsk summer camps started. The boys camp is 30km from Minsk and has over 70 boys from all over the country. The girls camp is in the Beis Aharon campus in Pinsk. We have counselors from America who came to spend their summer in Pinsk. The camps are an opportunity to give children from around the country a first taste of Yiddishkeit.
The camps will be continuing for the next month, culminating in a trip to the Smolensk region of Russia. See our camps page for more pictures.
June 8 - Chasuna of Shlomo and Sheina Pickman
On Monday, the Pinsk community celebrated the wedding of Shlomo and Sheina Pickman. Sheina is a graduate of the Beis Aharon Girls School. After her graduation she studied in Gateshead Beis Rochel seminary for two years and in Ateret Yehudit in Israel for the past year.
May they be zoche to build a bayis neeman biyisroel.
June 8 - Karlin Stolin Rebbe visits Pinsk
We were honored this week to welcome our Rebbe, the Stoliner Rebbe, from Yerusholayim to Pinsk. The Rebbe arrived in Pinsk on Monday evening, where he joined the kehila in celebrating the Chasuna of Sheina and Shlomo.
The Rebbe then continued his trip to Ukraine to be mispallel at the tzion of the Bais Aharohn whose yartzeit was on 17 Sivan.
May 21 - Mazel tov! It's a boy!
Nochum and Adina, one of our graduates who lives in Pinsk and teaches in our school, celebrated the bris of their baby boy. The mohel came from Israel to do brissim around the country. After the bris, we had a jouyous seudas mitzva celebrating the continuation of Klal Yisroel in Pinsk.
It is a real nachas for the community to see the next generation of Jews committed to Yiddishkeit.
May 18- Lag Ba'omer
As the bonfires were burning bright and the students of Bais Aharon stared into the fire, a spark was reawakening in each neshama. For some, it was the first Lag Ba'omer they ever celebrated. It was the first they heard of this holiday which is not so well known in the non-religious world.
Joyous singing and dancing filled the air and special food and drink was served in honor of the Chag. It was a night to remember.