The Moment: Issue 1075

Three years ago, Sydney met twin brothers who were on the verge of opening up their own summer camp, but were struggling to find financial backing. Sydney had no previous connection or obligation to the brothers, Yaakov and Chaim Metzger, but had heard from a friend that they needed assistance. He met with them, and for over three hours one evening in a Flatbush shul, the threesome spoke and strategized about how the brothers could realize their dream of offering mesivta bochurim a robust summer experience. That conversation helped shape what would eventually become Camp Teumim Mesivta, located in Glen Spey, New York.

This year, the Metzgers invited their friend, a man who had been there for them in their own time of need, for a yom zikaron to be held in memory of his wife and two daughters. The camp’s 700 bochurim signed up to learn an astounding 6,409 blatt and completed the Shishah Sidrei Mishnah three times over ten days as a zechus for the three pure neshamos. The plan was that the learning would culminate in a siyum haShas and Mishnayos, followed by a musical evening featuring some of Sydney’s closest friends in the music world.

On the designated evening, the beis medrash filled to capacity as the bochurim plowed through the remaining blatt they had pledged. The siyum was held and speeches were delivered, and then, to the complete surprise of everyone but a few of the organizers, the makeshift wall behind the dais was moved aside, revealing a table with an almost completed sefer Torah. The custom crown and mantle beside it were embroidered with the holy names of Natasha, Diana, and Debra.

Aside from the siyum, the Metzgers had arranged for an actual sefer Torah to be dedicated. Sydney was invited up on stage to complete the sefer Torah, after which a hachnassas sefer Torah was held with staff, campers, and friends joining Sydney as he carried a sefer Torah that symbolized Torah and chesed, the most priceless of treasures memorializing three priceless neshamos.