DINNER PREVIEW
MOTZAEI SHABBOS 1.16.21 darchei . org / talmidim
Mr . and Mrs . Shlomo and Deborah Katz
A v o d a s H a K o d e s h A w a r d
Shlomo and Deborah Katz are exceptional ba ’ alei chesed whose decades-long relationship with the Yeshiva Darchei Torah family mark them as fitting recipients of this year ’ s Avodas Hakodesh Award .
Shlomo is a proud member of the fifth graduating class of Yeshiva Darchei Torah and is privileged to be a close talmid of the Rosh HaYeshiva , Rav Yaakov Bender ; their relationship began in Rav Bender ’ s seventh-grade class . Shlomo ’ s parents , Rabbi and Mrs . Joseph and Nechama Katz , are founders of the Yeshiva who served as its president and PTA president , respectively .
Shlomo and Deborah ’ s sons are outstanding members of the Darchei Torah family . Shimon is currently a talmid in Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid and Ezra is a twelfth grader in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo . Im Yirtzeh Hashem their son Avraham will be joining Mesivta Chaim Shlomo as a ninth grader next year . Shlomo and Deborah take great pride in listening as their sons deliver high-level chaburos to their peers . Deborah is even known to have been seen standing in the cold , listening by the door of the Beis Medrash . Shlomo is grateful for the opportunity to sit with his sons in the Yeshiva ’ s pre-
Shacharis Binyomin Klein Morning Kollel .
Shlomo and Deborah follow in the footsteps of their parents as they dedicate an extraordinary amount of time and resources to the community . Shlomo has served as a Hatzolah paramedic for 24 years . In addition , Shlomo and Deborah are active volunteers for Chai Lifeline and have volunteered in Camp Simcha Special for 15 years . Deborah also serves on Chai Lifeline ’ s board of Tour de Simcha . In addition , the Katz family plays a pivotal role in the Pesach distribution for Tomchei Shabbos of Far Rockaway . During the Covid-19 pandemic , the family ’ s involvement expanded further , as restrictions no longer allow the Shabbos packages to be prepared as a chesed project at Torah Academy for Girls ( TAG ). All packing is now done out of the commissary at Elite Caterers , the Katz family business .
The Katzes well understand the meaning of caring for Klal Yisrael , and they are particularly appreciative of the unique level of care and support their children receive at Yeshiva Darchei Torah . As parents of the Yeshiva , Shlomo and Deborah have witnessed how the rebbeim are clearly dedicated to Rav Bender ’ s goal of enabling every talmid to become his very best . Through his involvement with the Yeshiva over the last 30-plus years , Shlomo has seen how Darchei takes incredible boys and turns them into leaders of Klal Yisrael . Shlomo has seen how the Yeshiva takes boys who might have been left behind by other institutions and turns them into superstars as well . It is a reality Shlomo and Deborah see daily , as their sons continue to thrive and grow in the Yeshiva ’ s supportive and warm atmosphere .
Like the Yeshiva they love so much , Shlomo and Deborah Katz are unique exemplars of dedication to the welfare of so many in Klal Yisrael and to the growth and success of their children . It is our privilege to bestow upon them this year ’ s Avodas Hakodesh Award .
Bedarchei Hatorah Winter 5781 / 2021 5