YEHUDA BER ZIRKIND, an instructor at the 2002 summer yeshiva, makes a point to one of the students.
Summer yeshiva returns with learning opportunities for all
By Deborah Moon
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After a three-summer hiatus, Chabad is bringing its intensive summer yeshiva program back to Portland for the month of August.
Yeshiva students from across the continent convene in Portland for an intensive summer yeshiva and invite locals to join them for study sessions and Shabbat dinners.
Chaim Wilhelm, a student at the summer yeshiva during some of its previous five summers, decided he wanted to bring the program back to Portland now that he is a rabbinic student. Yeshiva Bais Medrash Latzeirim will meet at Chabad’s Northwest Campus for Jewish Life during Aug. 3-27. Some of the rabbinic students teaching in the program will also visit small communities in Oregon to bring a taste of Judaism to those areas.
Chabad of Oregon Director Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm said he is proud of his son’s efforts to bring the popular program back to the city.
“We are all excited to see him bring the program back,” said Rabbi Wilhelm. “When the students come, they bring a ruach—a spirit—of excitement and learning. People can participate by coming to learn one-on-one or sharing a Shabbes meal. It’s always a lot of energy.”
Except on Shabbat, yeshiva staff and students are available for one-on-one study sessions with local Jews of all ages. Locals can sign up for havruta (partner) study one time, once a week or five days a week from 7:45-9 a.m or 7:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 3-27.
The yeshiva staff and students will help local students study any area of Judaic studies or Hebrew that they wish to learn more about. Topics include, but are not limited to, Hebrew reading, Jewish mysticism, Talmud, Torah with Rashi’s commentary, Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) and Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish law). No previous knowledge is required to participate.
Portlander Eric Singer said he participated in the havruta study sessions during past summers and he is looking forward to that opportunity again.
“It’s a non-threatening, intellectual atmosphere,” said Singer. “You’re one-on-one studying across the table from someone, but at the same time you are with a group.”
In addition to organizing the program, Chaim Wilhelm will also be one of this summer’s instructors. Dovber Chaiton, also from Portland, will return from studying in Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles, to teach at the Yeshiva.
The Portlanders will be joined by Shmuel Kaufman, who was a student with Wilhelm at the summer yeshiva in 2003. Kaufman said his summer here was a wonderful learning experience and he is thrilled the yeshiva is reopening so he can spend another summer in Portland.
Other instructors include Rabbi Eliyahu Tenenbaum from Crown Heights, N.Y.; Yitzi Jacobs from Cleveland; Eliyahu Junik, who spent the past year at an Israeli yeshiva as a mentor for younger students; and Mendel Shapiro from Crown Heights.
To sign up for a study session or Shabbat dinner, call Chabad of Oregon at 503-977-9947 or e-mail Chaim Wilhelm at shmaya2@gmail.com.
