Spotlight on Binyamin Hutt (FYHS '03)

Graduating Year: 2003

Current Location: Shaalvim

Tell us a little bit about your family: Married with 8 children

Profession: RAM/Rebbe for first year students at Shaalvim

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

Coming from Denver, I got to live in the dorms, and half my class were dormers. I got to meet a lot of people there and also really loved my Rebbeim. Rabbi Schuman, Rabbi Schechter, and Rabbi Segal were all unique in their own way. I recall Rabbi Schuman trying to explain to us a Gemara about acquiring an object by riding on it. He then jumped on his shtender to show what he meant; Rabbi Schechter had such a great sense of humor and gave over a real love of Torah. I also remember that Rabbi Segal came to give shiur the day that his daughter got married as if it was normal!

The intense and powerful davening at Yamim Noraim was also really special and I still remember the atmosphere and the tunes.

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

Being away from my parents was very unique. When I was in the dorms, Rabbi Bader and Rabbi Bloom were families on campus who helped take care of me. I really appreciated their warmth. There were also Rebbeim like Rabbi Ginsparg and Rabbi Cardash who lived nearby, and we got to go to their homes to experience family. I learned a lot from how they interacted with their families. I now host students from Shaalvim every week and have learned a lot about how to do that successfully because of those experiences. 

Advice for current students:

Don't get caught up in things that aren't as perfect as you think they need to be. Take a step back and appreciate this time of your life. Hang out with friends, learn, and enjoy.