It will begin at 7pm.

 

Money raised from the tournament will be used to fund the Caleb Challenge in Yeshivat Torat Shraga. The Caleb Challenge began in 2016 when Caleb Maeir z”l was a student in Yeshivat Torat Shraga. Despite suffering from an illness, Caleb Maeir decided to go to Israel to study in Yeshivat Torat Shraga. However, his year was cut short due to his illness and he had to return home to Chicago.

 

His friends in Yeshiva wanted to do something to help and to lift his spirits. Under the guidance of the Mashgiach ruchani at the time, Rabbi Yehuda Werblowsky shlit”a the students decided to challenge themselves and over a period of ten days collectively review 1000 dapim for Caleb. Unfortunately, Caleb passed away the following year and from then the challenge was held in Caleb’s memory. Each year the students learn more and more dapim and rishonim all in his memory. The Yeshiva provides great incentives for the guys who learn a minimum amount and for those who review the most dapim.
 
This has been a transformative experience for the students at a crucial stage in their year in Yeshiva and has consistently been one of the highlights of the year.  

 

Before his illness, Caleb z"l was a star athlete and played on the basketball and baseball teams at Ida Crown Hebrew Academy in Chicago. After his illness, prevented him from playing, his love of sports did not wane and he would attend the games when he could, always encouraging his teammates. While at Torat Shraga he was often found on the basketball court during the break watching the intramural games, keeping score and just exuding a lot of positive energy. He was beloved by everyone.
 
Two years ago, we began the Caleb Maeir z"l Memorial 3on3 basketball tournament to raise funds for the Caleb Challenge. It is a fitting tribute to have use the game that he loved to support the learning that he loved and to do them both as a zechut for his memory. 

Our goal is to raise $30,000 from the tournament in order to cover the funds we distribute annually in prizes and steak dinners as incentives to the winners of the challenge and the costs of the tournament and Shabbaton that precede it. Your participation in helping us raise these funds is directly supporting Torah learning and you will have a hand in the growth of the 140 students currently studying in YTS.  
 
Check out the video to learn how impactful the Caleb challenge has been for our students over the last five years.