Rabbi Dov Singer, the Rosh Yeshiva of Makor Chaim and the Jewish Renewal Center, has been invited by Yeshiva University to be a scholar-in-residence for several weeks in February. Rabbi Singer will be conducting interactive sessions on a number of topics such as Chasidic philosophy in the post-modern world, application of Chasidic psychology to the classroom and insights from his new book “The Prayer Cookbook: Recipes for Devotion,” which has sold out three times since its original publication (Maggid Press, September 2017).
Makor Chaim Director of Development Yossi Baumol, who will be accompanying him, pointed out that Rabbi Singer is on sabbatical this year, providing for an unparalleled opportunity to expose American Jewish communities to Rabbi Singer’s unique teachings. Special events are planned in a number of communities in the New York area.
Rabbi Doron Perez, head of the World Mizrachi, was instrumental in organizing the trip. He explained: “We at World Mizrachi constantly strive to create deeper connectivity between Diaspora Jewish communities and Eretz Yisrael. We aim to expose communities around the world to some of the new, innovative Torah and educational initiatives, ideas and trends emanating from Israel’s creative religious Zionist community. Rav Dov Singer is one of Israel’s leading rabbis and educators who is at the forefront of the new wave of ‘Chassidut Eretz Yisrael.’ As founder and Rosh Yeshiva of one of Israel’s top yeshiva high schools ‘Makor Chaim’ and the unique Educators’ Beit Midrash, his distinctive approach was felt very strongly by Jews around the world during the search for the three boys during the summer of 2014. Two of the boys, Gilad and Naftali, were students at Makor Chaim at the time of the kidnapping.”
Under the leadership of Rabbi Dov Singer, Makor Chaim continues to grow and expand its myriad activities. Makor Chaim’s unique exchange program with YU’s MTA High School is now in its 10th year. The Jewish Renewal Outreach Center provides inspiring programming for adults of all levels of observance and continues to establish “Chaburot”—devotional self-help groups—throughout Israel. The Lifnei V’Lifnim Educators’ Empowerment program continues to offer BA and MA degrees in education in conjunction with Herzog College.
As pointed out, Rabbi Singer’s book is already in its third printing and the expectations are that it will continue to make waves in the Jewish community. Makor Chaim’s Beit Midrash L’Hitchadshut—the Jewish Renewal Outreach Center—held a number of inspiring musical prayer and Torah study events in Israel, marking the launch of Rabbi Dov Singer’s new book and hopes to hold such events in the US as well. A number of Jewish leaders in the US have expressed interest in an English translation of the book which is being planned as soon as funding is secured.
With two dormitory buildings nearing completion and groundbreaking on the high school and Beit Midrash scheduled in the near future, construction of the new campus of Makor Chaim continues apace on a restored stretch of historic land known as Derech Ha’Avot—the Patriarch’s Road. This was the road traveled on by our forefathers Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. It was here that Elazar HaMaccabee singlehandedly killed an elephant serving the Syrian-Greek forces. The ancient ritual bath discovered here was used by visitors to Jerusalem in order to purify themselves before getting their first glance of the Holy City. It is here where the Makor Chaim revolution is being built anew, brick by brick, in memory of Naftali, Gilad & Eyal.
Yossi Baumol can be reached at [email protected] or 718-734-6524.
By Yossi Baumol
