On Sunday evening, May 7, Toronto had the zchus to host the Mir Yeshiva.  Despite the all-day rain, people kept on coming to join in the Annual Benefit Reception. Even before the official 8 PM starting time, there were talmidim, parents, friends, and machzikei Hatorah streaming into the Bakst home to be part of the Mir for just a few hours. The evening was graced by many of the chashuvei harabbonim, and Roshei Yeshiva in Toronto and Thornhill. The incredible dedication of Mir talmidim was clearly evident – with a team of visiting veteran volunteers flying in to help make this evening spectacularly successful.  Led by Zevi Brodt, this group assisted with in-person meetings, phone calls, set up and anything else that was needed. The house was set up in a most elegant fashion, with a massive tent as the central point and focus of the event.

The Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon Harav Binyomin Carlebach Shlita served as the keynote speaker; he was eloquently introduced by co-host Eli Kazarnofsky. A stunning video was presented, displaying the thousands of talmidim in the Yeshiva, and profiled their diversity and years of dedication.

The evening closed with a warm and affectionate thank you from co-host Binyomin Bakst, who opened his home to the Mir on this memorable evening. Binyomin related the deep roots his family shares with the Mir; his grandparents actually got married in Mir Shanghai, and their entry to America was later sponsored by Rav Binyomin Carlebach’s own parents who lived in Detroit. Binyomin closed the evening describing the warm, unshakable bond that connects the “Mir Family”

Rav Binyomin Carlebach has been representing the Mir Yeshiva with this yearly visit to Toronto for over 30 years. The kehilla of Toronto considers it a great zchus to be part of the Mir Shalsheles that is now over 200 years strong!