If you happened to visit the beit midrash of the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center (SSTC) in Livingston on Sunday night, June 9, you might have thought you had somehow found your way instead into one of the major yeshivot of the world.
The beit midrash was packed with enthusiastic learners of all ages, studying in small groups around tables. The common topic of the learning was Mishnayot Brachot and each of the learning groups was led by an energetic young rav, who helped steer their chabura successfully through the material, finishing in about an hour.
The occasion that brought everyone together was a “Mishnathon” to complete Mishnayot Brachot, organized by the Essex Network for Torah Enrichment (ENTER) branch in Livingston in partnership with SSTC. ENTER is celebrating the first anniversary of the launch of its Livingston branch; another branch, in West Orange, was launched two years ago.
Yonatan Cohen, one of the organizers of the event, shared that 65 community members participated, and the intent of the event was ”to promote the organization and what it does in the community.” Cohen said that ENTER provides opportunities for community members of different backgrounds to learn one-on-one with a rav, any weeknight of the week, on a topic of their choice in Torah studies. Currently, there are about 40 regulars in the ENTER program in Livingston, with some of them learning more than once a week, and six rabbonim are affiliated with the program.
The ENTER Livingston branch at SSTC is overseen by Rabbi Elie Genack, who works by day as a rabbi in the Ohr Reuven Yeshiva in Monsey. He assumed the director role three months ago and commutes to Livingston from Monsey, a 45-minute drive, four nights a week. When asked if the commute was difficult, he replied: “It’s definitely worth it. It’s so beautiful to be a part of this community, when so many are coming to learn Torah. And our rabbonim love to teach and inspire community members to grow in Torah.” He also praised the rav of SSTC, Rabbi James Proops, calling him “a wonderful partner in this work.”
Menachem Dickman of Livingston, the gabbai of the shul, told The Jewish Link that he is a regular at the ENTER Livingston program. “Tonight’s event is very important, to bring attention to the ENTER program.” Dickman learns Gemara Makkot once a week with his chavruta in the ENTER program. He added: “The ENTER program brings ruach and light to our beit midrash.”
Phillip Cohen of Livingston learns mishnayot once a week with Rabbi Zack Comet. “I decided to come tonight out of respect for and appreciation of the ENTER program,” Cohen said.
After the Mishnathon concluded, the ENTER program invited all attendees to a catered dinner in the shul’s social hall, which dozens of people attended. Rabbi Nate Segal of Torah U’Mesorah spoke at the dinner and declared: “What I saw in this beis hamedrash is a pela, a true wonder,” and he commended everyone for their efforts in forging a Torah-true path in the world.
For more information on the ENTER program in Livingston, please contact Rabbi Elie Genack at [email protected]
Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes feedback. When he’s really lucky, he gets to cover events in Essex County.
