(lubavitch.com) Close to 400 social workers, teachers, program directors, immigrants, parents and students were at the Ohr Simcha Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad last week for the Welfare and Social Services Ministry’s annual exhibition fair of programs and services.

The Ministry typically hosts the fair in the Tel Aviv Exhibition Center, but this year accepted the yeshiva’s invitation to use their facilities.

 A panel of Ministry representatives welcomed participants and led a panel discussion on technology and social services in the yeshiva’s function hall. Ohr Simcha’s boys choir also ascended the stage to sing a rendition of the song “Rak Tefilla – Only Prayer.”

The group then moved to the courtyard where they could interact with 80 manned booths offering information on government agencies and services, residential facilities for children, at-risk youth programs, special education schools and daycares, and trade schools. Many in attendance also toured Ohr Simcha to learn more about its programs and facilities.

“We’re very proud of our program and the Ministry has been a supportive and helpful part of its growth and development,” said Ohr Simcha’s Assistant Director Rabbi Yitzhak Schiff. “It was natural to reach out to them.”

Schiff and yeshiva’s dormitory director Yosi Klein invited the Ministry to use their facilities as a gesture of gratitude. The two worked closely with event coordinator at the Social Services Ministry, Bentzion Brantz, to make arrangements for the fair which attracts people throughout Israel’s center region.

The Ohr Simcha Yeshiva provides Torah education and vocational training to 300 boys from immigrant and financially challenged families. It was established in 1972 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory, for the benefit of immigrant children from Samarkand, many of whom were orphans. The school’s dormitory is one of many that the Social Services Ministry supports for underprivileged children throughout Israel.