7 years ago

“Real Learning for Real Life”

“Real Learning for Real Life” was the tag-line of Machon L’Yahadus’ Winter Program this year. A dozen college students from campuses across the U.S. were treated to ten days of learning, living and loving Judaism in Crown Heights, Brooklyn • Full Story

“Real Learning for Real Life” was the tag-line of Machon L’Yahadus’ Winter Program this year.

A dozen college students from campuses across the U.S. were treated to ten days of learning, living and loving Judaism in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Daily classes were held on Unconditional Love (Tanya), Tweetable Judaism (Halacha), HerStory (Women of Tanach), Hebrew skills and Living with the Times (parsha).

For lunch, the Winter Program students joined together with the 27 young women currently studying full-time in the regular Machon L’Yahadus yeshiva program.

Afternoons were filled with various educational local trips and tours such as the Mei Chaya Mushka Mikva, OK Laboratory Headquarters, the Jewish Children’s Museum, Agudas Chasidei Chabad Library, the Crown Heights Matza Bakery and Machon Stam. Late afternoons offered optional one-on-one Chavrusa style learning.

Evenings were devoted to informative and inspirational programs such as a Challah Bake led by Mrs. Chani Zirkind with musical interludes by Mushka Pruss, Kabbalah Coach Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik and Mrs. Sarah Morosow on relationships, “Got Talent? Using our Strengths” with Mrs. Fraydie Liberow and Dr. Sarah Avtzon, “Stump the Rabbi” with Rabbi Shloma Majeski and a closing farbrengen with Mrs. Dalia Sanoff and Miss Chaviva Elharrar at the home of Mrs. Laya Klein.

Highlights of the program included a Friday night meal in the dorm with Dr. Chaim and Faige Broner, Shabbos lunch with Mr. Nissim and Adina Adry, Motzei Shabbos Chanukah Melave Malka at the home of Mr. Dovid and Rivkah Teich followed by fun creativity at the Art Café, and Sunday Menorah lighting at the World’s Largest Menorah in NYC.

As the dormitory on President Street is almost filled to capacity with students in the full-time yeshiva program, overflow Winter Program participants were hosted by local Crown Heights families.

While the classes in the Winter Program were geared for beginners, participants who were on a more advanced level were able to join the regular classes and have a taste of real yeshiva learning.

Mrs. Chaya Schurder played a vital role in recruiting and covering the travel costs for many of the students who attended the Winter Program. “We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Schurder and COCI for their involvement and support,” shared Rabbi Majeski, principal of Machon L’Yahadus.

The Winter Program was dynamically co-ordinated by Miss Baila Pruss, with the help of Mrs. Batsheva Browd and madrichos Shira Nesenoff and Shaina Otis.

At the close of the Winter Program, a special week-long South American program was held. Co-ordinated by second year Machon L’Yahadus student Rachel Mancusi from Venezuela, all classes, lectures and tours were conducted in Spanish.

In addition, five young women from South America who are fluent in English joined the regular program to study at Machon L’Yahadus during their two month summer break.

Machon L’Yahadus is holding a Boutique Auction Birthday Celebration next Wednesday, the eve of 28 Teves (birthday of Rebbetzin Chana), 8:00 p.m. in Lubavitch Yeshiva. Most of the students who participated in the Winter Program and the many of students in the full-time yeshiva program receive generous scholarships to be able to devote themselves to Torah study. Purchasing tickets at the Boutique Auction is a special way to celebrate both Rebbetzin Chana’s birthday and Torah study of women! Buy your tickets at MachonAuction.com or Phone: Miriam 917-822-3873 (9 am – 1 pm) – Bluma 347-585-9119 (1 pm – 9 pm).

For more information about Machon L’Yahadus visit their website at womensyeshiva.org.