I.The Kollel Objective: to help prepare young men during the formative period of their lives for a life of community leadership and contribution. Specifically, to give them a good grasp of the tractates that are most relevant to daily Jewish life, to develop their knowledge in hashkafa, and to teach and inspire them to give back to the community.

A.Approach to Learning:

1.Talmud

a)Focus:

(1)The Kollel learns what is often called Kollel Mesechtos, meaning those most relevant to Orech Chaim. Learning the Gemara with the basic Rishonim, and periodic reviews to ensure a solid grasp and retention of the Tractate covered.

If a sugya is very rich in halacha; after having gained a strong grasp of the Gemora and Rishonim we often take some extra time to examine how it develops in the Shulchan Aruch.

b) The Rosh Kollel delivers a weekly shiur focused on developing and clarifying the various approaches of the Rishonim to the sugya.

(1)Please Note: As our fast iyun learning style covers a lot of information, it can be overwhelming. It is very important to clarify the core points of the sugyah.

c)Presentations:

(1)Sunday morning first sader begins with two Avreichim presenting 15-minute long chaburos that are an outgrowth of the Friday Shabos chazora.

The purpose is to share an aspect of the sugya that others might not have examined. There is no expectation to come up with chiddushim.

(2) The goal is to help the Avreichim develop organizational and oratory skills as well as to facilitate group bonding.

Through this collaborative, group approach, we are to cover more ground.

(3)If an Avreich has an inclination toward a particular field (bekiyus, lamdus, halacha etc.) he is encouraged to focus his presentations in that area.

d)Review:

(1)Once a chapter or a self-contained section has been learned, we pause for a thorough review.

Review is not only a time for consolidation but also for clarification, as one often does not have enough information at the time of learning the sugya and will only be able to properly understand it once he has finished the chapter and reexamines the topic from a broader perspective.

(2)If the section that was covered is a crucial halachik sugya (for example in Shabas: perek kirah, the sugya of borer ect.) the review will be extended to allow the Avreichim to see some of the chalacha.

2.Hashkafa: Having a strong foundation in Hashkafa is crucial for an Avreich’s continued growth in avodas HaShem as well as for his ability to transmit the beauty of the Torah to others.

a)The Kollel asks the Avreichim to study one of the key hashkafic seforim (list will be provided on demand) S-Thr 2:30-3:00 p.m.

(1)There is an option to join the Rosh Kollel in his learning one of these sforim. Alternatively, Avreichim can find a chavrusa or learn independently.

3.The schedule for the year:

a)In Elul, we have a machzor of the first three chapters of Sukkah, the last perek of Yumah, and select parts of Rosh HaShana.

The summer and winter zmanim are used to learn the other larger projects

b)Bein haZmanim will be from the 7th of Nissan to Rosh Chodesh Iyar, the 9th of Av to Rosh Chodesh Elul, and Yom Kippur to Rosh Chodesh Cheshvon.

B.Transforming the community

1.On Legal Holidays, the Kollel offers a breakfast and learn program for the Baley Batim. This is a great opportunity for an Avreich to volunteer to prepare (with the Rosh Kollel’s guidance) a sugya which the Baley Batim will learn through. At the end of which the Avreich who prepared the sugya will present a short Chabura on the topic. This helps the Avreich develop the crucial skills of:

a)Distilling and clarifying the subject matter to its most essential components

To bring the information down to the level of the listeners

b)To present the information in a way that the listeners will appreciate

2.Early morning and evening programming for the community in which Avreichim learn one-on-one or in small groups with members of the community. This programming allows us to impact the community through:

a)Sharing Torah knowledge with others

Leading by example in how we treat others, in our attitude to learning Torah, and in how we relate to Tefilah and the Beis HaMidrash.

3.The Kollel strives to bring a deep and energized Torah vision that will uplift and inspire the Kollel community, as well as attract new members from the broader community. The Rosh Kollel gives a verity of Hashkafic shiurim heavily based in Maharal, Ramchal, and Gra to help achieve this goal.

C.Outreach

1.We work closely with the various kiruv rechokim organizations that look to us as a place to help transition their already interested and initiated students into growing bney Torah. We engage these students with a combination of:

a)Shiurim, small group and one-on-one learning

(1)In very rare circumstances where the learning slots do not fit into our pre-apportioned community learning hours the Rosh Kollel may ask an Avreich to rearrange his schedule in a way that works for everyone.

Working with a person who is exploring his Judaism is not limited to learning.

(a)Avreichim are asked to weigh-in on the progress of their chavrusas, what interest them, and to help identify any potential obstacles to further growth.

b)Building personal relationships with learning partners through:

(1)This includes inviting them for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals as well as periodic social events.

D.The Daily schedule: There is an optional early morning learning program 6:00-7:00. The Kollel’s Shacharis is at 7:00. First seder is 9:00-1:00. There is a half hour of Hashkafah at 2:30 followed by minchah at 3:00. Second seder ends at 6:15. Night seder is 8-9:30 followed by maariv.

Note: As with all ventures in this world, it will be important for us to be flexible to the evolving needs of the community. Thus, as new opportunities and insights arise, the above-mentioned structure may be altered.