I feel so blessed to have met you and learned under you and so grateful to have had the opportunity to reconnect with you after our Aliyah. You are truly an inspiration to all your students and we wish you much success and happiness in your new position.

 

With much love,

 

Tali, Yaakov, Yehoshua, Shemaya, Yechezkel,

Yitzchak, and Miriam Albietz

 

Dear Rabbi Shurin,

 

In 1996 you taught Akiva at Mevaseret and made a big impression on him. In 1997 Akiva and I met the first day of freshman year of college. I had to do more learning still, as I was newly observant. After two failed attempts at finding the right seminary - one was too much to the left and the second was too much to the right - I found MRC and it was juuust right. 

     

Akiva and I were not talking while I was off learning in Israel in 98-99 but when I came back and told him about my favorite rabbi from MRC, it turned out that you were his favorite rabbi too! Once we began our life together, you became our rabbi. We are so grateful for your wisdom and seichel - such rarities in the world today - and they have made all the (continued...)

difference in those big moments in our lives when we needed it most and were able to turn to you. In talking with you, we feel like we are connected not only to mesorah - - something every baal teshuva wants to latch onto - but the mesorah that we connect to is of Reb Yaakov - we feel we won the lottery of Mesorahs.
     
We wish you health, bracha, and arichas yamim. Our gratitude cannot be captured in a short message but please know that it is profound.

 

Dear Rabbi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Esther Shurin,

 

We first heard the name Rabbi Shurin 27 years ago from our middle

daughter, Allison. She learned in a seminary the summer before she started

college, but it was too secular and failed to provide her with sources. She

wanted to stay in Israel to continue learning elsewhere and delay her

freshman year, but we convinced her to come home by agreeing to her

returning after her freshman year if she still felt as strongly

about learning at a seminary.

 

She returned to Israel after her freshman year as agreed, but the second

seminary she found was too rigid and also failed to furnish her with the

sources she sought. Then she finally happened upon MRC and like

Goldie Locks and the Three Bears...MRC was Just Right. (continued...)

 

Then 25 years ago my husband, Allen, and I decided to "up" our Torah learning for a few weeks in EY. We also developed a strong bond with Rabbi Shurin, who has been one of our family's "go to" rabbis for our important shylas since he tries never to be too machmir when he poskins. We know if he says "no"...it's really NO!

 

Rabbi Shurin and his rebbetzin, Esther, have raised 10 amazing children and their growing family of eniklach, K"AH...but they also raised so many more neshamas whom they have influenced with their kindness and inspirational ability to bring so many to Torah observance. (continued...)

 

We all owe both Rabbi Shurin and his Aishes Chayal such a tremendous debt of gratitude.. HaShem is shepping so much nachas from the special lives they have lived providing a sanctuary for those of us whose neshamas are thirsty for His Wisdom that they impart with so much love and patience.

 

With Much Love and Gratitude, 

 

Allen and Marlene Josephs,
Heather and Yitzchak

Moshel, Allison and Akiva Shapiro and
Melanie and Howard Levenstein

 

Rabbi Shurin,

Mazel tov on this tremendous honor! You have dedicated your life to teaching Torah, helping students grow in Avodas Hakodesh, and providing sagely advice for life's journey. So many among the Jewish people have been positively affected by you for over 40 years! The ripple effect is constantly reverberating, and the devotion to your life mission is unparalleled. Daniela and I are forever grateful to you for your wisdom, the attention you provided us, your classes, and the warm smile you always shared. Our marriage and family solidified and blossomed with your care and friendship. May Hashem bless you and your family with good health, shefa bracha, and continued success in all of your endeavors until 120!

 

Sending our love,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Shurin, Almost thirty years ago, when I first entered Midreshet Rachel, I could not imagine my future blessings! Thank you for setting me on the right path. My whole family has hakaras hatov  to you! With deep appreciation,

 

Thank you, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Shurin, for your life-changing impact on four generations of the Michaels Family. Since greeting me when I wandered into the yeshiva 36 years ago, you have been a formative influence on my life and the lives of my wife, my parents a"h whom you warmly welcomed into your home, and the next two generations, bli ayin hara.

 

May you both be zocheh to many more years of good health, nachas from your beautiful family and from all your students, and much strength to continue spreading your insight and Torah. 

 

In honor of my esteemed colleague and friend Rav Yitzchak Shurin,

 

It has been a true zechus and pleasure to have served on the Darche Noam

hanhala with you for these past 7 years. You treated me, despite our

significant difference/OR your significant "edge" in years and experience,

as an equal from day one. Not, at all, a simple thing. I have always looked to

you with a certain awe, as a shining example of what a much-cherished and 

dedicated long-time mentor looks like to his talmidim and talmidot.

 

Hashem should be mevarech you and Rebbetzin Esther with much nachas

from your lovely family and myriad talmidim and talmidot, and good health

to continue to teach and learn

עד מאה ועשרים.

 

Rav Shurin, Mazal Tov!

 

From the moment I visited MRC in 1996 and had the pleasure of speaking with you, I knew I had found my home. Thank you for challenging and inspiring me as I pursued my goal of becoming a Jewish educator. I remain profoundly grateful for the ongoing support you have provided to me and my family over the years. With your humor, compassion, and deep Torah wisdom, you are truly a gift to all who have the privilege of learning with you. May you continue to inspire everyone wherever you go! With gratitude,

 

 

Dear Rabbi Shurin,

 

I have seen first hand, many times, how your wisdom, experience, common sense, balance and above all your genuine love for all your students have transformed their lives for the better. You have shown them the sweetness and neimus of the derech HaTorah, and you have made the Shem Hashem beloved in their eyes. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with you, though we do not do it enough. I hope and trust that your "retirement " frees you from some of the busywork of administration, but you will continue ad meah vesrim v'od to teach and counsel the many that look up to you, and will look up to you, as their guide and rebbe.

B'yedidus vhokara,

 

To Our Amazing & Heilige Rabbi Shurin...

 

We are truly blessed to have you as our beloved Rebbe and to have been touched so deeply over the years by both your goodness & greatness! You ignite the hearts and souls of the many Jews fortunate enough to enter into your warm & loving school and home. Thank you so much for helping to transform our lives and for teaching us to navigate the Jewish world with grace. We have been beyond fortunate to be the beneficiaries of your wisdom, passion, humility, love, and uniqueness in imparting and embodying Torah values. Thank you for all you have done on our behalf and on behalf of Klal Yisrael. May you and your truly incredible mishpacha be blessed with long lives filled with tremendous simcha, bracha, shalom, nachas, and hatzlacha!

 

With Much Love, 

 

 

Rabbi Shurin,

 

There really are no words to express the depths of my gratitude and appreciation, but I will attempt an approximation. It is because of you that I understand what it means to embody love in its human form.You have been a foundation stone for all the personal growth I have achieved and the wisdom I have been blessed to absorb. It's been my honor to experience your light during the years I  was privileged to work beside you growing and operating MRC. Finally, after all your hard work, you are semi-retired and honored with a journal and a gala! You deserve the best.

 

Baruch and I send so much love to you and your family.

 

Rabbi Shurin,

As I've encountered challenges along my personal journey, I've treasured your support. You are sensible and wise, compassionate, and understanding, and unendingly generous with your time and spirit. Your clarity of thought and your avodat Hashem were and continue to be an inspiration to me. It is a great comfort to know that you are there for us students, caring deeply about us, no matter how much time has passed. You are an absolute gem. I'm so grateful to have had the zechut to be one of your students.  

With love,

 

 

Highly Respected and Beloved Rabbi Shurin and Rebbetzin Esther ad 120,

 

You gave me my Life and enable us, with G'd's help, to raise our Family in Torah, Chuppah and Good Deeds, B"H! We are you eternally grateful! May you be successful in all your endeavours with Great Shalom Bayit and lots of Nachas from your Children, Grand and Great-Grand Children.

Lots of Love,

 

Avraham and Rebecca Levitt Family and Ada Prins

 

We, the faculty and staff of Shapell's/Yeshivat Darche Noam, are profoundly grateful to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin for his decades of dedication to our students, alumni, and colleagues.

 

As Rosh Midrasha of Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya -- and before that as Mashgiach Ruchani at Shapell's -- your Torah wisdom, guidance, and care have shaped the lives of thousands of talmidim, inspiring them to grow and thrive in their personal and spiritual journeys. As a beloved rebbe and role model, you have been a source of strength, insight, and kindness to all who have been fortunate enough to learn from you. (continued...)

 

Through your teachings and example, you have connected us to the great Torah giants of the past, bringing their wisdom to life and making it relevant to today's world. Your steadfast commitment to Torah and your devotion to the yeshiva have been a gift to us all.

 

Thank you for your vision, passion, and leadership in shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. May Hashem bless you with continued strength, health, and inspiration as you carry on your remarkable legacy.

With deep appreciation,

 

The Faculty and Staff of

Shapell's/Yeshivat Darche Noam

 

 

We, the faculty and staff of Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya (MRC), offer our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin for over 30 years of leadership, vision, and dedication as the head of our midrasha. From its earliest days, you nurtured and built MRC with wisdom and care, preparing generations of women to deepen their connection to Torah, develop their unique strengths, raise healthy Torah families while embracing their roles as leaders and contributors to Klal Yisrael. Through life's challenges and its joys, you have been a steadfast source of guidance, support, and inspiration.

 

As a mentor to the staff, you have been an incredible resource for Torah knowledge, educational methodology, and insight into how to best reach our students while always modeling integrity and humility. (continued...)

Your leadership has ensured that MRC remains a place of growth, meaning, and inspiration for all who enter its doors.Your role as a rebbe, role model, and bridge to the Torah giants of the past has profoundly shaped the lives of countless students, their families, and communities worldwide. We are deeply grateful that in your new role as Rosh Midrasha Emeritus, you will continue to teach, mentor alumni, and shape the future of MRC.

 

May Hashem bless you with health, strength, and hatzlacha, and may you see abundant nachas from your family, your students, and the enduring legacy you have created.

 

With boundless appreciation,

 

The Faculty and Staff of Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya

I will never forget when you convinced me at 19 that MRC was perfect for me. You met with my parents and even woke up at the crack of dawn to speak with them in Colordao. I loved how your family came on tiyulim, and we saw how you live the Torah you teach. You modeled how to treat bus drivers, tour guides, and janitors. You invited us for Shabbos and helped in the kitchen. You guided me in dating and didn't stop believing in me. You reminded me of the importance of staying close to my non-frum family. I feel so blessed to be building a Torah home on the foundation that began at Midreshet Rachel. May you have tremendous bracha, nachas, and good health to continue to teach. 

 

Rabbi Shurin, We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to learn with you almost 30 years ago We can't thank you enough for helping us to finalize our engagement during our year at Darche Noam! Your teachings and advice still resonate with us. We love that we have had the opportunity to host you in our home over the years and to hear your words of wisdom when you come to Baltimore. We are thrilled that our son is currently learning at Darche Noam. Thank you for your inspiration, your humor, your stories of your grandfather, your advice and your "normal" approach to Judaism.

 

Dear Rabbi Shurin/Uncle Yitzchak,

 

Mazel Tov on over 40 years of selfless dedication to the MRC institution. We have benefited tremendously from your guidance  - more than the average student! From Yaakov's Uncle to Melissa's Rosh Midrasha to Mesader Kedushin, to now Melissa's Uncle as well. Thank you for helping us learn the ways of Torah, guiding us in all different types of complex questions, answering late-night WhatsApp calls, sharing Rav Yaakov's z"l wisdom and for showing us how to "be normal." We, IyH, will continue to share in many simchas with our families - including our Erev Pesach Shabbat tradition! 

All our love,
 

Rabbi Shurin   שליט"א

During our time in Israel, you have become much more than just our Rav.

You and Rebbetzin Shurin have become our family. Your wisdom and

kindness have shaped our experiences in ways words can't fully capture.

You've been there to support us through our challenges, to guide us with

patience and humor, and to inspire us to grow in our avodas Hashem. You

have made us into the Torah observant women we are proud to be today.

You have taught us how to live the Torah we have learned at Midreshet

Rachel v'Chaya every day. We will carry the lessons you've imparted with

us, and they will continue to guide us as we move forward in life. May you

and Rebbetzin Shurin be zocheh to continue to share

Hashem's Torah for years to come.

 

With deepest gratitude,

Gabs Weiss, Tzvia Bailowitz, Andi Heffez, Kaitlyn Valese,

Ariella Belote, Bari Gold, Malky Feivelson, Pamela Goldberg