Continuing A Community Growth Initiative

In December of 2005, a group of members from Shomrei Torah met with representatives from Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future to discuss a plan to achieve community growth in Fair Lawn. From those initial conversations grew the inauguration of the Torah Enrichment Center in September 2007. The goal was to bring young couples to Fair Lawn who would energize the community  and who would introduce other young couples to the community. Additionally these young couples would enrich the community with an exciting and vibrant Torah environment that would service the current members and attract young families. Three couples were chosen to help us achieve our goals. Two years later, with supplemental funding, two additional couples were asked to expand the initiative. With the support of the community and the efforts of these couples the program has been very successful. Over the past five years, Shomrei Torah has seen an influx of over forty new families. Initially moving into apartments, several families have since bought homes, further establishing themselves as members of Shomrei Torah and the Fair Lawn community.

As families continue to visit Fair Lawn, it has become exceedingly clear to us that one of the crucial features, which are looked for in a community that is growing, is an established Torah Center and active Beis Medrash. Therefore as an extension and next phase of Shomrei Torah’s Community Growth Initiative, the Fair Lawn Beis Medrash has been established.

Our objectives are to create an environment of Torah study within Fair Lawn that would facilitate the intellectual, spiritual, and halachic growth of all members of the community and its surrounding areas.

Rabbi Eli Belizon has been named the Rosh of the Fair Lawn Beis Medrash. Joining him are be three Beis Medrash Fellows: David Glassberg, Rabbi Yaakov Ehrenkranz and Ari Pruzansky. All four are Yeshiva University graduates and along with their families, reside in Fair Lawn and are an integral part of our Shomrei Torah family and community.

The Beis Medrash provides an atmosphere for shiurim, chavrusas, chaburas and individual learning, Monday thru Thursday, from 8-10 pm. Various levels of shiurim are offered and learning groups include topics on contemporary halachic issues and the parsha ha shavua.

In addition, Rabbi Belizon gives a weekly shiur on Tuesday nights. His shiurs can be found on

Yutorah.org

Begun six months ago, the chavrusas and chaburas are oversubscribed and they are hiring Michael Hoenig starting in the summer. “Growth Through Torah” is the line espoused by Willie Hochman, a key player in the Fair Lawn Beis Medrash initiative. For more information, or to spend a Shabbat in Fair Lawn.