Ma’ayanot and Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Talmudic and Tanach Study (GPATS) co-hosted a recent Yom Iyun at Ma’ayanot. The special morning, planned by faculty and administration of both GPATS and Ma’ayanot, was the first of a shiur series that will be continuing throughout the year with the goal of enhancing the high-level Torah offerings in the Bergen County community.

CB Neugroschl, Ma’ayanot’s head of school, kicked off the program, emphasizing the natural partnership between the two organizations who share similar values and missions. She framed the day as an opportunity to consider new perspectives and push ourselves to focus on growth as participants learned together amid the backdrop of the Yamim Noraim and October 7.

Dr. Nechama Price, director of GPATS and parent of two Ma’ayanot students (Nava, ‘25 and Ariella, ‘28), presented the first shiur, entitled “How to Make Real Change in Our Lives: The Imahot as Role Models.” She explored how the approach to hardship and growth can be informed by the challenges of the Imahot. The second shiur, entitled “Should Adults Ask for Mechila” was presented by Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, who teaches the GPATS shana gimmel students. Rabbi Schwartz addressed the relationship between teshuva bein adam l’makom and teshuva bein adam l’chaveiro and how to approach asking for mechila beyond “are you mochel me?”

Miriam Schwartz, Ma’ayanot’s Torah programming coordinator and the placement coordinator for GPATS, explained, “This partnership was such a natural fit. Many Ma’ayanot alumni go on to study in GPATS, GPATS alumni (myself included!) are teaching at Ma’ayanot and Ma’ayanot hosts the GPATS fellowship where students have the opportunity to learn with role models from GPATS.”

Stay tuned for information about the next community shiur from this exciting collaboration as the partnership between the organizations continues to grow throughout the year.