This past Sunday, our fifth grade talmidim celebrated their exciting initiation to the learning of Gemara. Parents and grandparents were invited to join in this momentous occasion. Divrei bracha were given by Rabbi Boruch Hirschfeld, Rabbi Naphtali Burnstein and Rabbi Simcha Dessler followed by each talmid receiving his very first Gemara from his Rebbe. Then, with open Gemaros, they eagerly learned the beginning words of the Gemara with their Menahel, Rabbi Asher Newman. The event continued with spirited dancing in honor of their haschalas Gemara, and concluded with a short “seder” with the boys learning b’chavrusa what they had previously learned with their Rebbe in class. They were also treated to specialized cookies in honor of the occasion, together with a personalized picture of them holding their very own Gemara. May the Gemaros be a lifelong companion for them. May the simcha that they feel in learning their first words of the Gemara continue throughout a long and healthy lifetime, as they master mesechtos, and b’ezras Hashem the mastering of all of Shas.