Heavily scheduled Torah
YIW publishes a year’s worth of shiurim, programs and events
By Malka Eisenberg
Issue of Nov. 21, 2008 / 23 Cheshvan 5769
The Young Israel of Woodmere has ushered in the new year with a colorful, glossy 23-page brochure of extensive learning opportunities that encourages readers to set aside time each week for Torah study.
The adult education program catalogue [young-israel-of-woodmere-2008-program-guide] is a take-off of the CBS News program "60 Minutes," and the slogan of 1010 WINS, urging the reader to “make the time” because “the time is now... you give us 60 minutes and we’ll give you the world.”
“When I became president in July the goal was to make the Young Israel of Woodmere the focal point in the Five Towns of educational programming and learning,” explained YIW president Shlomo Zuller.
He pointed out that the shul always offered various programs but that people weren’t aware of all of them.
“We put together an adult education committee with Rabbi Topp with advanced programming so people would be aware and know in advance and make proper planning,” he said.
The YIW has printed learning schedules previously, but never for the whole year and not with such a broad range of classes, from bar and bat mitzvah programs to series on ethics in the workplace, and from scholars in residence lectures to daily phone call shiurim.
“They should be commended on their shiurim and learning activities,” said Rabbi Pesach Lerner, executive vice president of the National Council of Young Israel. “It’s beautiful, well planned and well put together,” he said of the brochure. “It’s all encompassing.”
With close to 950 families in the shul, the YIW is one of the largest and most active Young Israel congregations in the country. Its programs are attended by members and individuals from the greater Five Towns and beyond. On an average shabbos, there are eight minyanim for shacharit, and seven during the week, in addition to several daily times for mincha and maariv.
“The members of our community have very different backgrounds and interests and schedules,” said Rabbi Kalman Topp. “We try to provide different programming, something for everyone who is interested in deepening their knowledge, learning, understanding of Judaism and strengthening their relationship with G-d. We have intelligent and sophisticated members.”
Rabbi Hershel Billet credits Zuller with putting together the brochure, saying that he collaborated with the shul’s educational committee and Rabbi Topp.
“I’m proud of them and I give them all the credit,” he said.
“We appreciate the initiative taken by our president, Shlomo Zuller and the work of the educational committee and Franklin printing,” Rabbi Topp added. “We’ve had excellent feedback... People are very excited about it.”
For further information, contact the Young Israel of Woodmere at (516) 295-0150 or www.yiwoodmere.org.
