CHUMASH: The five books of Moses is part of the Written Torah imparted to the Jewish people of Mt. Sinai. Students will be introduced to the works in English and the original Hebrew, with relevant commentaries brought in to give a deeper understanding. Advanced students will learn text with Rashi and other commentaries.
TEFILLAH (Prayer): As a channel of communication between man and G-d, prayer is integral to a Jew's life. Origins, goals and meanings of the prayers and the fundamentals of the prayer book is explored.
HALACHA (Jewish Law): Performance of the commandments involves a system of laws dealing with our relationship with G-d and the world. Students will examine laws of Shabbos, family purity and kashrus, and study contemporary halachic issues.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Jewish philosophy, ethics and relevant issues of concern to Jewish men and women will be addressed and discussed, as well as such areas as the Jewish calendar, holidays and traditions.
HISTORY: Our history begins with one man who had an unshakable faith in Divine Providence and continues with innumerable manifestations of G-d's influence for over 3,000 years. The course surveys Jewish evolution from early to modern times with emphasis on certain pivotal events.
CHASSIDUS: An all-embracing outlook and way of life that sees the Jew's central purpose as a unifying link between Creator and Creation. Selected readings of the works of Chabad Chassidic masters cover such topics as the purpose of creation, cosmic unity, character refinement, the nature of the soul, and the special role of each Jew.
YeshivaCation, a mini Yeshiva experience, attracts men and women from throughout the States. Participants come from various backgrounds, most have little prior Jewish education - if at all.
The program was originally designed for college students to give them a chance during their intercession to explore their Jewish heritage.
Now in its 15th year, participants range in age from late teens to those in their 50s, students to professionals, and come from as nearby as the five boroughs and as far away as Washington State.
YeshivaCation is just one of the programs of Machon Chana Women's Institute - pioneer in the field of women's Jewish education - making Torah accessible to women of all backgrounds since 1972. The school now has a two-year full-time program with dormitory facilities, as well as numerous part-time programs.
Students Speak Out
"I never thought that a mini-yeshiva experience could be such a fascinating eye-opener."
Since 1989 alone, over 500 men and women have taken a YeshivaCation, a ten-day Torah study program run by Hadar Hatorah and Machon Chana. The people who attend come from all over the country and all walks of life. What is it that makes YeshivaCation so compelling and so unique that these busy people find it worth the investment?
Tanya Lokshin, a graduate student at the New England College of Optometry, learned of the program from her local Chabad rabbi. "I had no prior yeshiva experience," says the 23-year-old. "But after ten intense days of learning and living in Crown Heights I returned home feeling as if I had really attended Yeshiva. I never thought that a mini yeshiva experience could be such a fascinating eye-opener.
Tanya found YeshivaCation's structure particularly significant. "No time was wasted. Every pertinent issue was addressed, and I received a firm grounding in many facets of Judaism, including Kashrus, Shabbos, Jewish Family laws, and Moshiach." Why not learn all these concepts at the local Chabad house? "There's no substitute to learning in a complete Jewish environment. I got as much out of staying with families for Shabbos as I did from the classes." To her, the structure was the key. "Somehow, next day classes always managed to address the questions that had built up the previous day. The speakers and topics were all very sensitive to the audience. YeshivaCation addressed precisely who we are and what that means. It was more than a vacation - it was a necessary stop for a thinking, searching Jew."
Not everyone taking a YeshivaCation is a student. Nechie King, Associate Professor of Education at Towson State University found her first experience so enjoyable that she returned for another session. "I stayed with different families each time and their hospitality really added to the experience. As an academic I loved the adventure of learning and found the courses to be fast-paced and challenging." Professor King added that it was a special treat to meet many people at different stages of spiritual development.
Howard Saklad, a computer programmer at the university of Alaska remembers how surprised he was by his own enthusiasm. "Although I'd heard great things about it, I didn't know what to expect," he says. "But my first trip there was so informative and invigorating that I've been back three more times." Fortuitously on his second trip Saklad met a couple who would eventually introduce him to his future wife. "My most vivid memory was experiencing the electricity of thousands of Chassidim singing together. For me just seeing the Lubavitcher Rebbe each time was the most unique and rewarding experience of all."
Ari and Kathy Gerber decided to attend YeshivaCation as a couple. Ari, a computer analyst for the New York State Department of Transportation reports that joining the program together game them an opportunity to compare experiences and share what the y had learned with each other. "The classes were places where misconceptions were cleared up," he says. "Questions were answered openly and honestly. The most important thing I learned was that if you want to learn more or experience more, it's not all or nothing. You can take it step by step. As for my wife, she liked bring around women her own age with whom she could share experiences - women who, like herself, were looking for something more out of life."
For Jon Levitow, a California-based English professor, YeshivaCation was a turning point. "I didn't know what to expect. This was a leap for me, and I was nervous. At the beginning my attitude was that being a Torah observant Jew was something that I wanted to learn about, but not something I could accomplish I guess the best thing I could say about YeshivaCation is now I feel that I actually could become observant. It's still hard to know how it will all work out, but the distance between myself and Torah seems much less overwhelming now. And I think that's great!"
"How can ten days make such a difference," asks Mrs. Labkowski, director of Machon Chana Women's Institute for the study of Judaism "It's an intense program, and it's non-threatening. People walk away enlightened, refreshed, deeply impressed by their close encounter with the Chassidic way of life. They see happy families made up of professionals who are observant Jews. YeshivaCationers realize that you don't have to give up anything, that in fact now lies before them the possibility of adding a new and unique dimension to their lives."
YeshivaCation takes place twice a year - in the Winter and in the Spring. For beginners there is a specially designed curriculum which comprises an overview of the vast reaches of Jewish knowledge and erudition. At the same time participants have the opportunity to delve deeply into the original texts, so that they leave with a solid accomplishment in Torah learning. In addition to regular classes, there are special lectures and workshops given by some of the top personalities in the Jewish world, addressing such topics as Love and Marriage, Medical Ethics, Judaism and professional life.
From our mailbag. . .
Please publicize this program more! I deeply enjoyed the YeshivaCation program and would highly recommend it. I'd like to see more people take it. It was great to dance at a Chassidic wedding, to go repeatedly to 770 and see to get a taste of family life. My wife attended the women's program. It was wonderful that we were able to share this YeshivaCation together.
AriAlbany, NY
I thought it was great and very well balanced. I was especially impressed with the variety of guest speakers.
PeterBoston, MA
I got a great impression of a Chassidic community. One that I will express favorably to others who may not understand its customs and what it stands for. I learned enough to enhance my appetite to continue to find out all I can about my Jewish heritage. I'll never forget the YeshivaCation in Crown Heights and I hope to meet with you all again sometime soon. Thanks again all.
MarkLos Angeles, CA
The honesty and thoroughness with which the material was presented was professional and assuring. The genuine warmth and happiness of the Chassidim was inspiring. I came to Crown Heights for the week not really knowing what to expect. I need not have worried... This week became one of the most enlightening weeks of my life. My Judaism literally came alive.
PennyBuffalo, NY
The classes were outstanding! I learned so much in such a short time. I was particularly moved by Tova Mordechai's talk (author of Playing with Fire). I also enjoyed meeting members of the community, and seeing how they combine their Torah life with their professional practice.
Dina
Women's classes will take place at Machon Chana Women's College, at 825 Eastern Parkway. The men's classes will take place at Hadar Hatorah, at 824 Eastern Parkway. Both locations are in Crown Heights, Brooklyn -- headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch and home to a thriving Chassidic community.
Additional lectures, panel discussions, informal tours and gatherings, Sabbath meals, and other activities will be held throughout Crown Heights.
Cost for the entire program is $295, which covers all lectures, two Shabbatons, meals and housing at the Machon Chana or Hadar Hatorah dormitories or hosts' homes. The cost for the week is $150, and the Shabbaton rate is $100. Financial aid is available.
For more information:
Call (718) 735-0030 weekdays
or write:
Yeshivacation, 824/5 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Fax
(718) 735-9175 anytime. (Tell them you got this from the Internet).
From the Chabad mailing list, gopher@chabad.org or ftp@chabad.org. See also the Main Chabad Site
Chabad House
2101 Nueces
Austin, TX 78705
Ph: (512) 472-3900
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