Creating opportunities to learn outside of school has always been a community effort. This summer, from August 7–27, Congregation Beth Abraham is hosting Yeshivat Sha’alvim for a summer Kollel. With nightly shiurim and chevrutot available, there are various ways for people to join in the learning. Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz, the Assistant Dean and Ra”m of Yeshivat Sha’alvim, will be leading the Kollel.

With so many boys out of yeshiva, there was great interest in having structured learning during the summer months, leading to the plans for this Kollel program. Mornings and evenings will be dedicated to learning, leaving the boys with their afternoons free. Rabbi Leibowitz said, “This whole program is very much a natural extension of the chinuch in Sha’alvim and the partnership and relationships we have with the families and the boys. That was the original idea, but there have been emails requesting for high school students and retired folks to come and join the learning.”

The day will begin with Shacharit at 8:15 a.m. with the community, followed by a 20-minute halacha shiur by Rabbi Leibowitz. After breakfast the Kollel boys will break off into their chevrutot for two hours, to prepare for a Gemara shiur, which will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The night programming is open to and focused on the community as well; both men and women are welcome.

Beginning at 8:15 p.m. is a 45-minute shiur, different each day of the Kollel. On Sunday, August 7, Rabbi Leibowitz will speak on a topic that will be a welcome respite from the heat, titled “Frigid European Winters and the Rabbinic Solution for Heating Homes on Shabbos in Medieval Times.” The next night will be about the “Ten Principles for Learning Aggadah in Gemara,” by Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, NCSY’s Director of Education. Then, on Tuesday, August 9, Kehillat Kesher of Tenafly’s Rabbi Akiva Block will speak about “From the Floor During Eicha to Standing for Neilah—Tisha B’Av, Yom Kippur and Two Models of Physical Abstinence.” A special program is planned for Wednesday, August 10, for 7th–8th grade and high school boys, with snacks and refreshments. Some of the Kollel members will give chaburot and Rabbi Leibowitz will give a shmooze. Finally, on August 11, Rabbi Dovid Hirsch, the Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS, will give a shiur called “Please Rise! The Requirement for Witnesses to Stand During Testimony.”

Following these shiurim, the Kollel participants will be available for a chevrutah from 9:00 to 9:40 p.m. If you are interested in setting up a chevrutah (for no fee), simply email [email protected].

Each night will conclude with a 20-minute chaburah given by Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz, on the Rambam’s writings. There will be mishmar-type learning, possibly with cholent and kugel, on Thursday nights following the late Ma’ariv.

Sara Linder is a JLNJ summer intern. She is a Teaneck resident and a student at the University of Maryland-College Park.