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We live in unprecedented times. Yeshivas and learning programs abound in hundreds of cities and towns throughout the world. Increasing numbers of young people are receiving a Jewish education, the levels of which were unheard of in previous times. Among the many yeshivas dotting the Jewish landscape, there is one center of Torah learning that truly tailors Jewish education to the need and level of every individual.
At Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, the hallways, beis midrash, and classrooms pulsate with activity. Early each morning, the beis midrash is filled with businessmen and professionals. Many begin their daily learning at 4:00 a.m. and are preparing to leave for their day of work. Others remain bowed over the text in front of them, oblivious to the cacophony of sounds around them, their brows knit in intense concentration. Outside the beis midrash doors, students enthusiastically greet each other as they make their way to the beis midrash or shiur rooms, while married men and even grandfathers share the news of their children and grandchildren with one another as they head to their morning shiur.
Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv was built upon an educational foundation of recognizing the uniqueness of every individual. Any student desiring to grow in Torah learning and self-development can find his place in the yeshiva, regardless of background. It is a place that prides itself on customizing learning programs for every student according to level, interest, and needs. It is not uncommon to find a student finishing all of Shas sitting side-by-side with one learning Gemara for the first time. Nor is it unusual to find the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Naftali Jaeger—recognized for scholarship worldwide—giving a shiur to the highest-level students one day and to those just beginning their journey into Torah learning the next day.
Today, Sh’or Yoshuv stands as an epicenter of Torah learning for thousands of individuals and families within the thriving Jewish communities of the Five Towns/Far Rockaway and beyond. However, the seeds that blossom so beautifully today were sown more than 40 years ago. The idea to create a learning environment where novice and scholar could learn together and from each other was conceived by Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld, zt’l. Reb Shlomo, as he was lovingly called by his students, truly understood the needs of the generation.
More than just a wise and erudite scholar as well as a passionate leader and teacher, Reb Shlomo was a “rebbi” to thousands of students. Often recognizing the self-worth in an individual before that individual recognized it himself, Reb Shlomo lovingly and joyfully polished neshamos until their full radiance shone. Reb Shlomo envisioned a Torah center open to all, offering a wide array of classes on many levels of learning. He never lost sight of his vision, and he tenaciously worked to make it happen.
Now, more than 40 years later, under the helm of Rabbi Naftali Jaeger, and the menahel, Rabbi Avrohom Halpern, Sh’or Yoshuv has become a springboard for personal growth, scholarship, and Jewish commitment for thousands of Jews. “It gives me nachas to see that the work and teachings of our revered Reb Shlomo, zt’l, continues to be vibrantly alive in the beis midrash,” says Rabbi Halpern.
The dedicated staff, many of whom were students of Reb Shlomo, continues his legacy of cultivating a deep and meaningful relationship with every student. The rebbeim have mastered the skill of discovering the keys needed to unlock souls in order to recognize the joy and fulfillment in a lifelong commitment to Judaism. Under the watchful and nurturing attention of their rebbeim, students undergo remarkable transformations.
Each day, the beis midrash resonates with the exuberant sound of Torah learning of over 300 eager students, 75 kollel members, and 250 chavrusa partners. The kollel too exemplifies a program tailored to fit the needs of every student. And kollel members are bound by their commitment to give to the community and to transmit Torah to the next generation, no matter the level of scholarship of those who seek to learn with them.
Likewise, the Tal Techiya program is customized to meet the needs of young men who would not normally be in a yeshiva atmosphere because of time constraints or an inability to be committed to a rigorous yeshiva program. The program offers a warm and inviting environment where the boys get much personalized attention from the rebbeim, have access to a special English-language library, and are encouraged to learn at their own pace.
The one-on-one learning is tailored to the level and needs of each program participant. Some learn Gemara with a chavrusa, while others attend shiurim or chaburas on halachah, hashkafah, Mishnah, and Chumash. Under the direction of Rabbi Donnie Drandoff and Rabbi Menachem Poznanski, in conjunction with Madraigos, the Tal Techiya program is modeled upon the many other successful Sh’or Yoshuv programs. The atmosphere is extremely warm, accepting, and joyous—built on the formation of a personal rebbi–talmid relationship. The rebbeim truly understand where these boys are coming from and what they are all about. Says Rabbi Dov Silver of Madraigos, “Everything about the program spells out ‘All Jewish boys are welcome.’”
“The program is filling an important need,” explains Rabbi Menachem Poznanski. “There are very few other opportunities for someone to be a part of a yeshiva who cannot commit to even one full seder. It is providing the atmosphere and structure for these guys to be a part of a yeshiva, stay connected to their Yiddishkeit, and strengthens their emunah. It gives them a sense of belonging.”
And the program is meeting its goal beyond expectations. To illustrate, Rabbi Drandoff explains how one of the students approached him at the end of last year and said he would not know what he would do without the program; it was his connection to Yiddishkeit.
The influence of being part of the yeshiva is evident in all the students, adds Rabbi Drandoff, who teaches a Gemara shiur as well. “In some of the students in the shiur, I have seen great improvement in their skills. Among all the students, I have also seen a strong interest to grow in skills and Yiddishkeit.”
Along with individual attention by the rebbeim and tutors involved in the program, students also spend Shabbosos together, have retreats, go on trips, have kumsitzes, and receive visits from leading Torah personalities. Some of the recent events enjoyed by the Tal Techiya students include getting together mid-summer for a barbecue and enjoying a lively simchas beis ha’shoevah. Over the course of time, the boys have not only developed a strong bond with the rebbeim but also with each other.
There is a common thread running through the many classes and programs Sh’or Yoshuv offers—Torah learning available on any level and customized to the needs of the individual and community. The Community Learning Center is another example. Under the directorship of Rabbi Avraham Davidovits, the center offers 150 classes to the community throughout the week and on Shabbos—hundreds of hours at all times of day and covering many levels of learning.
If you have ever wanted to carve out regular study time for Torah but couldn’t find the right study partner, then the new Five Towns Learning Exchange program is for you. The goal of the program, explains Rabbi Davidovits, is to find a chavrusa for anyone requesting one on his level. Simply complete a simple questionnaire, and Rabbi Davidovits and his Community Learning staff will match you to a chavrusa perfect for you.
In the predawn hours of the morning, the sounds of Torah learning resonate loud and strong throughout the beis midrash as businessmen and professionals come to Sh’or Yoshuv to enjoy the early-morning learning programs to infuse their day with Torah. The Kollel Boker program was founded by Rav Moshe Dov Stein, zt’l, and is continued by his son, Reb Tzvi Yaakov Stein, and Rabbi Binyomin Cherney; they are always adding new chaburas and shiurim.
In the evenings, the alumni chaburah offers past students an opportunity to continue their learning and keep in touch with each other.
Under the direction of Rabbi Azi Bodner and Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuk, the hugely successful Avos U’bonim program draws more than 200 boys and their fathers every motzaei Shabbos. The warm atmosphere, the excitement for learning, and the sense of belonging to something very special has drawn participants from across the Orthodox world and from as far away as Brooklyn.
Recently a new program was developed to meet the requirements of adults with special needs who usually have no access to Torah learning. Geared toward men 19 to 50 years old, the program is the brainchild of Dr. Robert Block, in memory of his son and former Sh’or Yoshuv Kollel member, Ari, z’l, who had a great interest in helping the developmentally disabled community. It provides an avenue for these special men to finally feel like they, too, belong to a yeshiva; they, too, can have a part in Torah study and focus on spiritual growth. Learning, enjoying pizza, and playing basketball are all aspects of the program enjoyed by the men. However, the highlight of the program is the relationships they build with the Sh’or Yoshuv bachurim and kollel members who volunteer their time.
Along with serving the needs of men and boys in the community, the yeshiva is an invaluable resource of learning and inspiration for the women in the community. Shiurim are frequently given to the women of the Sh’or Yoshuv kehillah and the greater Five Towns/Far Rockaway community on topics such as upcoming holidays, tools for self-improvement, the challenges of raising children, and shalom bayis, among others. In addition, the women glean life-altering lessons from the wonderful opportunity to learn from and share their lives with Rebbetzin Tehila Jaeger, known for her wisdom and warmth.
Throughout the year, Sh’or Yoshuv stands as a Torah center and beacon of inspiration to the surrounding community. Now is the time for the community to show its support for Sh’or Yoshuv. “The presence of Torah learning and a yeshiva in a community is vital to the growth and spiritual health of that community,” says Rav Jaeger. “In Sh’or Yoshuv we strive to bring Torah and Yiddishkeit out to the community—not just for ourselves in this generation but for the continuity of all future generations as well. Without the help of the community, our ability to reach out and service the community would be severely limited. Especially in difficult economic times such as these, the support of Torah is vital and we appeal to all of you to help.”
Sh’or Yoshuv invites you to celebrate more than four decades of Torah education and community service at the 43rd Annual Dinner, to be held on Motzaei Shabbos, December 5, at the Sands at Atlantic Beach. The encouragement and support of the community enables Sh’or Yoshuv to continue its vital work.
This year, Sh’or Yoshuv is paying tribute to three couples who exemplify the values of commitment to Torah learning and community involvement that the yeshiva strives to inculcate within its students. Mr. Ron and Mrs. Amy Friedman will receive the Kesser Shem Tov Award; Mr. Shmuel and Mrs. Faygie Lesser will receive the Machzikei Torah Award; and Dr. Hylton and Mrs. Leah Lightman will receive the Amudei Chesed Award. Sh’or Yoshuv looks forward to an outpouring of support from the community.
The deadline for ads is Thursday, November 26. For more information, please call Sh’or Yoshuv at 516-239-9002. Responses can be submitted through www.shoryoshuv.org, e-mailed to admin@shoryoshuv.org, or faxed to 516-239-9003. ♦
1 - Posted on 11/14/2009 1:04:48 PM
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This is where my Josh is.
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by Abe G. |
Overland Park |
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2 - Posted on 11/14/2009 5:55:32 PM
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www.thegreenshtreimel.com
For all who love and serve Hashem.
All the best,
The Green Shtreimel
by The Green Shtreimel Bobover Park, OH
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by The Green Shtreimel |
Bobover Park, OH |
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3 - Posted on 11/17/2009 9:39:41 PM
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I once attended a college Shabbaton many years ago at Yeshiva Sh'or Yashuv at their old location - where the late,
Rabbi Friefeld, Z'T'L the Rosh Yeshiva, welcomed us and spoke at length during Shabbat.
There is no doubt he was a wonderful, important and rivetting man and speaker.
However, since this Yeshiva has built its new building which looks like something out of James Bond and probably cost a
billion and a half dollars, I have gotten more phone calls requesting donations than I get from telemarketers.
Since I was generous in the past, I am pressed to "match" my donations from the past. No I can't, and they still called me yesterday and just wouldn't let up until I explained to them that there are more pressing matters here in Wemphis,
and that they can just send me an envelope in the mail.
I think its "nice" that they have their Yeshiva in Yenemsville, however, I really think life will go on just fine, without all these calls for donations, why not just charge?
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by The Legendary Danny O'Doul |
Wemphis, NY |
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