Adapting in the Kollel and JWAY

JWAYers meet for a discussion in a large meeting room in the Graduate Hotel

In 2020, adaptation is key. We all have made changes in the way we do thing...our learning is no different.

In the Kollel we've made some changes as well. Larger programs are being reimagined or postponed, precautions are being taken, but we will continue learning!

Here are some recent adaptations:

• In the Building:

  • We have rearranged schedules and creatively used the various rooms in the Kollel building to maximize the number of people we can safely accommodate.

  • It's not uncommon to find every room/office being used by someone on the phone, on the computer, or behind a plexiglass shield giving a shiur or learning with a chavrusa.

  • New positive: With our new, varied ways of learning, chavrusas are better able to manage their schedules and there are less cancellations!

• JWAY:

  • Our regular Maimonides classes that typically have 20-25 students have been replaced by the Jewish Learning Fellowship which has smaller groups and two options: a 13 week, and a 4 week.

  • Instead of meeting in school classrooms, we have rented a large meeting room in the Graduate hotel to safely host groups of 10 or fewer.

  • While Shabbatons aren't feasible now, we have ramped up our one-on-one and online learning with offerings like the popular podcast fellowship.

  • Social events are critical in building a safe welcoming and growing JWAY community. We've creatively found ways to maintain that critical element with events that allow for distancing such as: Outdoor BBQs in Parks, TopGolf, or Outdoor trips.

• Programming Changes:

  • Many of our weekly programs such Partners in Torah and the Women's Navi shiur now functioning as hybrids with both in-person and Zoom options.

  • Our Yarchei Kallahs have been reimagined as we've cut out the chavrusa learning and moved the shiur to larger spaces such as Bais Yisroel.

  • We've been able to capitalize on everyone's newfound Zoom proficiency to collaborate with other communities on shiurim such as the Tehillim Project.

  • Audio: Podcast and audio recording are rising in popularity and we're adding new offerings such as Rabbi Breiner's Tefilla Va'ad and Rabbi Stoll's new Yorucha program.

Now we'd like your ideas: How can we adapt to help you learn more? Let me know

Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana: Part 3- Shofaros

Last night was the final shiur of the 3-part series by Rabbi Moshe Spiro on the Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana. Listen to the audio below, or click here for the video.

Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana: Part 2- Zichronos

Last night was Part 2 of the 3-part series by Rabbi Moshe Spiro on the Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana. Listen to the audio below, or click here for the video.

Understanding the Eruv

This Labor Day, we changed things up from our usual legal holiday Yarchei Kallah format. Rabbi Uriel Gross, coordinator of our legal holiday community learning, had the idea for a shiur that would highlight the topic of Eiruvin, covered recently in Daf Yomi. Rabbi Shlomo Francis, of Chicago, and co-author of “Laws of an Eruv” shared with the sizeable crowd an understaning of the foundations of the laws of Eiruvin, down to its application in modern day scenarios. With a masterful PowerPoint presentation, Rabbi Francis illustrated the complexities of today’s community eiruvin. He also gave kudos to Minneapolis for being at the forefront of communities who have upgraded their Eruv to optimal halachic standards.

Social Distance Doesn't Mean Spiritual Distance

WPIT Presents:

Rosh Hashana at Home

Order your set of essential Rosh Hashana cards designed by legendary mechaneches Rebbetzin Miriam Feldman.

$10/set (12 cards), $18 for 2 sets

Please order by 9/8 by emailing shayniegoldberger@yahoo.com.

ALL proceeds benefit Temima High School for Girls in Atlanta.

Enhance your experience by joining a Zoom class giving greater understanding to the cards on Monday, 9/14. Register below for the link.

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Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana: Part 1- Malchuyos

Last night was Part 1 of the 3-part series by Rabbi Moshe Spiro on the Converging Themes of Rosh Hashana. Listen to the audio below, or click here for the video.

The Cry of a Starving Child

Imagine you were walking and heard the anguished cry of a hungry child. You were so moved by the child's plight, that on the spot you decided to start an organization to feed the hungry. You began to work feverishly. The cry of the child ringing in your ears was the only motivation necessary to never rest. Your efforts bore fruit, you developed branches all over, and were doing a tremendous amount of good.

Then you realized something interesting was happening. As your efforts grew, you invited donors and partners to join the mission. You started holding events and created marketing campaigns. As time, went on that cry of the child was replaced by the voices of stakeholders, vendors, and paid consultants, until one day you realized, that you forgot what that child's cry sounded like.

Our lives are like this. Every year on Rosh Hashana, the raw sound of the Shofar awakens a strong inner yearning inside of us to serve our King. So we get to work: We create plans, set up schedules, talk to people... As the year goes on, the demands of the details in our life drown out to primal call of why we're living.

The year is ending. Rosh Hashana is coming. Let's hear that call again and refocus!

Chop 'Em Down: Independence Day Yarchei Kallah

The plans are drawn, the contractor is ready, the project is about to begin. There’s just one problem… a crabapple tree right where your new extension is planned. What to do?

We can’t just destroy fruit trees, but this is for a legitimate purpose?

Does it matter that no one eats crabapples these days?

The one who will actually cut down the tree is not Jewish- does that make a difference?

Even if you can find a way that cutting down the tree is technically permitted, should it still be avoided?

For answers to all these questions, and more, listen to the shiur by Rabbi Yaakov Nesanel Finkelman from today’s Yarchei Kallah.

The Coffee Table: Part 2

The Coffee Table is a panel discussion and shmooze for women, and an opportunity to chat with other wives and mothers about how you made it through the day, and how you can make it through the next one!

The second session took place this past Tuesday night, and focused on Shalom Bayis, marital harmony. Panelists were Mrs. Aliza Frank (Lakewood), Mrs. Chana Rochel Schachter, and Mrs. Bashie Rothstein. View or listen to the recording here, and see what everyone is talking about!

To submit topics you would like to hear discussed, contact Mrs. Shaynie Goldberger (email) or Mrs. Sara Markowitz (email).

Three Exciting Developments

New Kollel Family Joins the Community

We'd like to welcome Rabbi Meir & Mrs. Avigail Mintz to Minneapolis! R' Meir has been learning on the phone with the Kollel since the beginning of the zman, and relocated to the neighborhood just before Shavuos. R' Meir hails from Lakewood, NJ and attended Yeshiva in Detroit, Yeshivas Brisk in Eretz Yisroel, and Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Mrs. Mintz, nee Zauderer, grew up in Los Angeles. They have two children, Baila and Faigy. We wish the Mintzes much success here in their new endeavor! When conditions allow, we hope everyone gets a chance to meet the Mintzes in person- hopefully soon!

Kollel Beis Medrash Reopens for the Kollel Yungeleit

The Kollel has implemented procedures upon Rabbinic and medical instruction that allows the Kollel Rabbis resume their studies in-person in our Bais Medrash. Protective measures include plexiglass barriers, masks, and restrictions on shared touchpoints. The Kollel's cleaning service will sanitize regularly according to the latest guidelines. Please note that access to the Kollel building is restricted to Kollel staff only. May the learning of the Kollel Rabbis and everyone else in our community continue to safegaurd us from all harm! As always, if anyone would like a chavrusa, or would like to explore any sort of learning opportunity, please email us at kolleloffice@mnkollel.org.

Save the Date: Dinner Date and Event Details

Our 20th annual dinner/event will take place on Tuesday, July 7th. Stay tuned for more about the honorees and remote program.