Boca

Can success co-exist with Torah?

For the twenty secular college students gathered at a Mentors Mission panel in Boca this past winter, this wasn’t just a question. It was fundamental. They’d experienced a magnificent Shabbos together, and had been ignited by the fire of Judaism. Their hearts were aflame – but one question niggled in their minds.

Can success and Yiddishkeit coexist? Could they lead Jewish lives yet still be “normal?”

Panelists Dovid Goldwasser, the event host, and Michael Berenblatt, who “happened” to be in Florida that weekend, delved into the question with gusto – and led the boys in an engaging, stimulating discussion; sharing personal stories and offering in-the-trenches experience.

Dovid and Michael were perfectly suited for the panel. Both have achieved the much-sought-after balance: they are successful in both the Torah and business worlds.

Mr. Goldwasser had graciously offered to host the entire Shabbaton in his beautiful Florida home. Although he had no previous connection to Ohr Somayach, he’d known Mentors Mission Director Rabbi Tully Bryks when they were both in their teens – and now he was thrilled to come on board.

Mr. Berenblatt “happened” to be in Florida (another inadvertent lesson for our boys: happenstance = hashgacha pratis) and was thrilled to join.

So what’s the bottom line? It’s all about learning, following rebbeim, and working on bitachon – AND tending to your bottom line!