A unique and exciting learning opportunity will be offered during the last week of December in the heart of Flatbush. The program is known as the One Week Kollel.
The Kollel will meet Monday, December 25, 2017, through Monday, January 1, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be hosted in the spacious and comfortable Beis Medrash of Congregation Tomchei Torah located at 1966 Ocean Avenue, between Avenues N and O. The sugyos of study this year will be drawn from the seventh perek of mesechta Berachos, Sheloshah She’achlu (Berachos 45a), particularly the laws relating to zi’mun and birchas hamazon. The program will include chavrusa study, small study groups, and a series of shiurim. Lunch and refreshments will be served.
The renowned Rav Pesachya Fried, shlita, will lead the program as Rosh Kollel. His legendary shiurim cover the major themes of the sugyos and are accompanied by well-organized handouts presenting the relevant source material. His original and scintillating shiurim are presented and delivered with utmost clarity.
Rav Moshe Twersky, shlita, another pillar of the Kollel, will deliver a series of daily shiurim covering every detail of the selected sugyos.
Rav Sholom Plutchok, shlita, the Mara d’Asra of Congregation Tomchei Torah and other guest Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim will also present Divrei Torah. Preliminary and preparatory shiurim will be offered for those who are interested.
The learning will be dedicated le’ilui nishmas Hagaon Rav Yisroel Belsky zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vodaas. For many years, Rav Belsky graciously took out time from his busy schedule to deliver popular shiurim and be mechazeik the chaveirim of the kollel. His absence has left a void that is sorely felt. yi’hi zichro baruch.
In addition, the kollel will remember Mrs. Batsheva Mandel a”h. Mrs. Mandel’s nobility, grace, and kindness are remembered by the chaveirim of the Kollel. Every year, she took it upon herself to personally serve lunch to the members of the Kollel. Participants from past years fondly remember her warm greetings and divrei bracha during the brief daily lunch breaks.
The Kollel was established in December 1988 by Dr. Aaron Mandel under the auspices of Torah Connections. The mission of the One Week Kollel is to afford ba’alei battim an opportunity to re-live the milchamta shel Torah of their yeshiva days. The last week in December was selected because it is a time when many have vacation from work and are able to commit themselves to this holy endeavor.
Participants in the Kollel spend a week learning several sugyos b’chavrusa in the company of noted talmidei chachamim and yir’ei Shamayim. The highlight of the program is the series of stimulating shiurim delivered by distinguished Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim. The sugyos are carefully selected to include familiar topics to enable the participants to delve into the sugyos quickly without spending much time familiarizing themselves with background material. Through the nurturing of the Maggidei Shiur, participants of the Kollel have advanced spiritually and intellectually.
The core members of the Kollel are a diverse group of individuals from near and far, united in their desire to grow in Torah and yiras shamayim. In addition to broadening one’s knowledge of Torah, the Kollel fosters an environment of genuine camaraderie and inspiration. One member noted that beyond the knowledge that he has gained through the program, the Kollel environment has inspired him to strive for greater heights in ruchniyus.
As a testament to its success, the one-week program has been extended in prior years to weekly shiurim. In addition, some members of the Kollel have met learning partners with whom they have continued to learn and maintain close relationships for years. As many have discovered, there is no friendship that is stronger or more enduring than one forged through the study of Torah.
The program offers an exciting learning opportunity for participants of all backgrounds. A special division will be devoted to beginners, which will offer shiurim and additional assistance for those who are interested. For registration, sponsorship opportunities, and more information, please call Torah Connections at (718) 998-5822 or (718) 253-3554.
Left to Right
Dr. Aaron Mandel, Kollel Coordinator
Rav Pesachya Fried, Rosh Kollel
Rav Moshe Twersky, Maggid Shiur
Participants of the Kollel in previous years
