Spotlight on Reuven Kirshner (FYHS '08)

Graduating Year: 2008

Current Location: Carmei Gat

Profession: Learning and Development Manager of tech company in Tel Aviv

Tell us a little bit about your family: Married with 4 kids

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

So many good memories. Some are as simple as hanging out in the dorms, playing sports during the breaks, and learning together. The simple stuff. One specific memory was when Michael Jordan came to watch his daughter play basketball at the Hillel Torah gym. When our teacher was a minute late for class a bunch of us took the opportunity to see him and I even went over to give MJ a high five. Then we ran back and Rabbi Wender (I think) was in the field catching everyone and giving them detention. Then in the office, the secretary whispers to me, “totally worth it.” I agree!

I loved Rabbi Siegel as well. He used to joke that Moshava didn't exist anymore so I couldn't have possibly gone there.

For a short time there was a game room with a few arcades and a pool table. One day, I heard a noise down the hall - turns out someone broke the arcade machines and quarters were bursting out everywhere! Obviously, the logical next step was to have a quarters fight. I didn't partake but thought it was hilarious until it got scary. Kind of like the BB gun craze, but that's a whole different topic.

We had the best chevra and rebbeim. They were so patient and kind. They cared so much about us. Rabbi Segal, Rabbi Haskell, Rabbi Ginsparg, and Rabbi Schuman, amongst others, were very impactful in my life.

My class currently has a Whatsapp group which is active daily with jokes and questions. Even as we all spread around the globe and found different ways of life, we still have that unifying love and respect.

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

The ahavat chinam was so special. We had a dorm full of guys from all over the US and even from Mexico one year. It's a great opportunity to learn from different people and their backgrounds. The Rebbeim were also open even though had different haskafot than me for sure I didn't feel judged. For example, I wasn't pushed to make aliyah or join the army but felt they were proud when me and their students did. I don't take that for granted.

Rabbi Segal especially taught me a love of learning Torah and I came to Yeshivat Hakotel more prepared to learn. It helped inspire me to share my Torah which led to authoring Groovin' to the Torah which is it's own story.

Advice for current students:

Be a mensch, open minded, ready to learn and turn that learning into action! The Yeshiva will also give you a lot of leadership opportunities, take advantage of them and build that muscle. I've been zocheh to help mamash build a new city in Eretz Yisrael and there are many FYHS alumni here building together. We are ready for you to come home to Israel (you can learn about some communities on my podcast Community Blueprints). Behatzlacha!