On Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha, Hagaon Harav Binyomin Carlebach Shlita visited the city of Houston, Texas – home to over fifty Mir alumni – for the Yeshiva’s fourth Shabbos of Chizuk in the city.  Rav and Rebbetzin Carlebach were once again hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Yakov Polatsek, who played a leading role in coordinating this memorable Shabbos.

On Thursday evening, Rav Binyomin delivered a captivating Chumash shiur at the Kollel to a packed crowd.  At Yeshiva Torat Emet on Friday morning, he delivered Divrei Chizuk to the boys while Rebbetzin Carlebach spoke to the girls about her esteemed parents, Hagaon Harav Beinush and Rebbetzin Esther Finkel, as well as her own decades-long involvement with the Yeshiva.  Rav Binyomin then delivered a Sichas Mussar at the Kollel, after which he visited the Mesivta of Houston, where he expressed his amazement at how the number of talmidim increased about tenfold from the handful who originally arrived only three years ago.  The Rebbetzin spoke at the Torah Girls Academy, where she responded to questions from the Menahel, Rabbi Michoel Cohen – a Mir talmid for many years under Rav Beinush – who reminisced about those years.

Rav Carlebach davened Mincha and Kabbalas Shabbos at the Young Israel of Houston.  A beautiful Friday night Oneg, hosted by Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Friedman, was a truly enjoyable experience for all, with spirited singing and inspiring divrei Torah.

On Shabbos morning, Rav Binyomin davened at the Kollel of Houston, where he also said a shiur.  Mincha and Shalosh Seudos took place at Heimish.  During Shalosh Seudos – as well as at the Friday night Oneg – Rav Binyomin inspired everyone by sharing many personal memories of Hagaon Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l , whose eleventh yahrzeit, Yud Alef Cheshvan, coincided with this very Shabbos.

On Motzei Shabbos, the Polatsek home was filled with alumni and community members who came to join the Melave Malka. The excitement and camaraderie were palpable.

Rav and Rebbetzin Carlebach, who have now visited Houston for the third time and feel a very strong connection to the community, were blown away by the extent of growth and expansion of the Shul and Kollel, and the city at large.  We thank all our hosts, talmidim and the community at large for a most memorable Shabbos.