Although winter has come early and hit us with blustery, cold temperatures, when you open the doors and walk into Lamdeinu you feel warmth wash over you. The smiling faces that greet you, the light of the Torah being learned, and the friendliness of your classmates all give you a warm welcome. Lamdeinu is an educational institute in Teaneck that provides high-level Torah learning for men and women of all ages. It offers text-based, challenging and innovative classes Monday through Thursday, with some of the most amazing educators in the area, spanning a variety of topics from Parshanut HaMikra to Halacha to Tanach to Talmud.

Dean Rachel Friedman established Lamdeinu in 2014 with the dream of offering quality textual learning together with the inspirational and spiritual sparks that too often get lost when delving into text. Thus Lamdeinu’s mission: “Study in depth. Be inspired” was born. Four years later, Lamdeinu continues to do exactly that. As one of its beloved students, Danielle Druck, recently stated, “The vast array of shiurim are taught by a team of passionate educators, all wholly invested in both the subjects and the audiences…the educators provide inspiration rooted in the intrinsic foundations of the material.”

Lamdeinu draws students from near and far. In any given class there can be learners from New Rochelle, Livingston, Englewood, Brooklyn, Monsey or Teaneck. There is no “one-size-fits-all” student; Lamdeinu has a judgment-free atmosphere. As Druck writes, “Some students come with little background and learn every day, others come with strong backgrounds and learn once a week. There is no right or wrong way to approach Lamdeinu, and all are included.” Lamdeinu also offers community events on Rosh Chodesh, communal fast days, Yom HaShoah and Yom Ha’atzmaut, bringing Jewish learning and Jewish practice together.

Lamdeinu is continually growing and benefitting from new learners, thinkers and supporters, and now you have the perfect opportunity to join them. On Sunday, December 2, at 9:15 am, Lamdeinu is hosting its fourth annual Chanukah breakfast. Please join them for an inspiring morning of community, connection and divrei Torah to nourish your soul…and nourish your body with a full breakfast buffet.

Lamdeinu is home to many exceptional Torah students and communal servants. This year, the breakfast is being co-chaired by the fantastic Patty Borodach and Deena Wrubel, and we are pleased to honor two exemplary women, Mrs. Miriam Goldberg and Mrs. Cyla Steinmetz.

Miriam P. Goldberg has been a pillar of Lamdeinu since its inception and is a devoted student of Dean Rachel Friedman for more than 20 years. As a member of Lamdeinu’s signature Parshanut HaMikra class for women, Goldberg is a shining model of brilliance, erudition, kindness and love for Torah. She has been a constant source of guidance for Lamdeinu in so many ways; Lamdeinu’s stellar Yom Ha’atzmaut program for women, which draws attendees from numerous communities, was established through her generosity. Goldberg lives in Riverdale with her husband, Alan. She is a mother and grandmother to Sarah and Ephraim Mernick, Gabrielle and David Goldberg and Deena and Alex Goldberg and their families. She serves the Jewish community in numerous arenas; she is currently chair of the board of Yeshiva University’s High Schools for Boys and Girls.

Cyla Steinmetz’s passion and energy have infused Lamdeinu since its beginning. As a member of the Teaneck community for almost 23 years, Steinmetz saw the value of women’s learning and helped make the dream a reality as part of Lamdeinu’s founding team. She is a member of Young Israel of Teaneck where she has served on the board and as sisterhood president. Steinmetz currently serves on the board of the Teaneck Mikvah and is a past board member of the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey. Her dedication to others is also reflected in her career as a psychotherapist specializing in dating and relationships. She is married to Gary and together they have three children.

All are invited to attend the fourth annual Chanukah breakfast. Whether you are a Lamdeinu “veteran” or you have never attended before, you are most welcome to come spend your morning at the breakfast on Sunday, December 2, and learn more about Lamdeinu. You will also be among the first to hear about this upcoming semester, which will be starting in January.

To register, please visit the breakfast page on their website at https://www.lamdeinu.org/breakfast/, and feel free to contact them with any questions or comments at [email protected].

Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 27.

By Esti Mellul

Esti Mellul serves as the program director for Lamdeinu. She received her master’s in communication and information studies from Rutgers University and is blessed to be able to bring her time, talents and energy to Lamdeinu. Esti is also an accomplished singer-songwriter and is working on her first full-length album to be released early next year.