Promoting Torah in the community

Supplementing already existing Torah study is one of the goals of the Young Israel of Woodmere’s new Beis Medrash program, as the synagogue’s Summer Learning Experience (SLE) is considered a tremendous success, attracting community members of all ages to learn together.
“The Young Israel of Woodmere is well-known as being a center for prayer,” said Director of Adult Education Rabbi Shay Schachter, the program’s coordinator. “It was time for to take the synagogue to the next level, and make it not only a center for prayer, but also a bastion of Torah learning catering to all ages.”
Community members converge on the synagogue five days a week for the SLE, which features separate programs for men and women. Attendees partner up with each other to study parts of the Talmud, which is then followed by in-depth lectures by Schachter and Rabbi Isaac Rice on the Talmud as well as Jewish law and philosophy. The daytime program is open to all, and is heavily attended by post-high school and college students, as well as retirees. Approximately 65 men attend the program, including 40 college-age young adults, according to Schachter, who noted various special events that complement the SLE, including programs on fast days as well as barbecues and kumzitzes (inspirational sing-alongs). “It’s been a resounding success,” he said about the SLE.
Night Torah study sessions are held after the work day, in addition to a Thursday night guest speaker series intended to enrich Torah learning, featuring lectures by an array of noted Torah scholars, including Yeshiva University (YU) Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Asher Weiss, which are attended by more than 50 residents each week, synagogue officials said.
“It’s really nice to see people from all segments of the community coming together to study our eternal book of life -- the Torah,” said Yaakov Hawk, 20, who is entering YU this fall after studying for two years at Yeshivat Shaalavim in Israel.

Hollywood, Fla. resident Harry Pearl, an accounting major at YU, came to Woodmere for the summer to participate in the program. “It’s very nice to come to a community with this strong and diverse Torah study program set up,” he said.
In conjunction with the Beis Medrash program the synagogue’s college programming for both men and women has also expanded. Under the leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Fogel, it includes weekly prayer meetings on Saturday mornings, as well as a Kiddush with informal socialization and refreshments, followed by group Torah study. A professional networking program as well as guidance for marriage and relationships are also part of the initiative. The women’s SLE program is attended by more than 100 females of all ages and features lectures by local rabbinical and educational leaders on prayer, the Bible and prophets. “It’s very inspiring and a really nice program,” said Long Beach resident Linda Neuman, a regular attendee.
Rabbi Schachter plans to expand the program with weekly programming to continue throughout the year, in addition to developing existing adult education programs, including a heavily attended weekly Torah study session at Traditions restaurant in Lawrence during lunch.
The SLE has attracted men and women from many local synagogues, as well as residents from Queens, Long Beach and West Hempstead, and many rabbis from neighboring community institutions give lectures as part of the program.
In addition, several other congregations nationwide have contacted Rabbi Schachter for advice on how to build similar community Torah study programs. “This is a ground breaking venture, which with God’s help will have far-reaching consequences,” Schachter said.