|
What People are SayingAdas Yeshurin Shul, Chicago Chizuk Trip
The members of the group had the opportunity to interact with Bircas students and had a special mussar talk with the Rosh Yeshiva every day. All of the men were matched up with chavrusas in the yeshiva as they prepped together for the Rosh Yeshiva's gemorra shiur. Despite the advanced level of the Rosh Yeshiva's shiur, the group represented various levels of learning backgrounds, including beginners through to Lakewood alumni. No spoon feeding was done as they rolled up their sleeves and for several days were like advanced members of the yeshiva. Some of the highlights included exposure to the methodology of the yeshiva and even how to apply it to Shalom Bais! Their level of energy and excitement was clear to everyone not only by their active participation in shiurim but also in their commitment to walking in from their hotel everyday to daven vasikin. The trip ended off with a unique and blazing talk by Rabbi Cohen to the entire yeshiva emphasizing learning with with excitement and getting pleasure out of it, and his expression of gratitude for their incredible experience at Bircas HaTorah.
Words cannot explain the experience I had. I am not quite sure what I was seeking except to be in a place surrounded by Yidishkeit. I walked away from my stay there quite a changed person. Not only was I surrounded by Yidishkeit, I learned so much, met so many extraordinarily exceptional yidden, but was surrounded by an environment that I cannot explain. Needless to say, returning home was quite a letdown. As it is getting that to that time of year, I was thinking why not this year in Yerushalyim? I would like to come back again to Bircas as I learned so much. It is amazing, nobody I talked to had ever heard of Bircas, nor of Rabbi Green, but upon arrival back home and speaking with different out-of-towners, people had heard. I knew that spending that amount of time in the Old City would have an effect on my life, but I didn't know how much until I returned home. Both the students and especially the staff at Bircas definitely played a big part in that. I learned so much there I cannot begin to tell you. Ron Blum The week at Bircas was one of the best weeks of my life: to a person, everyone there was bright, kind, passionate, spiritual, holy and super friendly. It exceeded my wildest imaginations and has made changes in my life that, G-d willing, will last forever. I'm thankful that I have such a beautiful family at home, else I would be crying that I'm not there right now. Please G-d, I hope to make the trip back soon with my family. I'm looking forward to hearing from Rabbi Wegbreit so I can set up some phone study time, anyway, thanks again for all your work in setting this up. You guys are changing the world, one gemara at a time. Jeff Astrof And How's the Food?
|
Women's Seminar Application Form
Recently Bircas HaTorah had the honor of hosting Rabbi Zev Cohen from Chicago who is Rabbi of the prestigious Adas Yeshurin shul in West Rogers Park. Rabbi Cohen brought along 9 shul members for a special chizuk trip, learning half day at Bircas HaTorah and the other half, meeting gedolim throughout Israel.
Bircas HaTorah is a unique and exciting place to learn Torah. I came here between my second and third year of medical school, looking to build upon my textual skills, and forge a relationship with Torah that would enable me to explore its endless depth, and gain insight into the Jewish teachings about my profession. So far, it has been an incredible experience, beyond expression. I started learning Torah only a few years ago, so coming from very little background, my focused time of study here has helped me to learn how to approach Jewish texts skillfully, creatively, and with a deeper understanding of their meaning. Rabbi Green and the other stellar teachers at Bircas not only epitomize a passionate and dynamic approach to Torah, they also teach students how to engage in Torah learning methodically, with an intensity and awareness that is powerfully illuminating.
I have been studying at Bircas HaTorah for about one year. In my experience, I have seldom met a group of more straightforward, honest and truth seeking individuals than I have here. The learning, as well as the whole operation of the yeshiva, is done on a professional level, with progress, kindness and Yiras Shamayim always given top priority. It is a yeshiva made up of menschen, and has a standard of excellence for anyone seeking to learn Gemara. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Green is an embodiment of Torah character, and his talmidim, I believe, aspire to someday hold the flag which he carries.
As I'm getting ready to leave back to Ottawa, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderfully amazing array of delicacies that you prepared for us here at the Yeshiva (and that is an understatement). Not only were meals healthier than anything I've consumed in quite some time (yes, the yeshiva world would be shocked to see what you've done) but they were rather scrumptious too. In my 5 weeks here it was always fun to look forward to what we'd be getting for meals and I can't imagine that it was easy to prepare all of those meals, so thank you! It was much appreciated!