Save the date

Once every four years, we celebrate those who have achieved rabbinic ordination—the future leadership of the Orthodox Jewish community

Learn more

Sunday, March 7, 2010 • 21 Adar 5770

Chag Hasemikhah Dinner 09

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Michael Davies
RIETS ’08

Michael DaviesNo one can be fully prepared to be a rabbi, but with the hands-on experience I received in my internships, in both schools and synagogues, I feel more confident in this endeavor. The rebbeim at the Israel Kollel also have been a tremendous inspiration to me in how to combine being a Talmid Chacham and a Baal Midot—which, I think, is what Torah Umadda is really all about.

Michael is Assistant Rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland, CA, and teaches Gemara at Oakland Hebrew Day School. 

TORAH FROM RIETS

Hear shiurim by our peerless Roshei Yeshiva at YUTorah.org.

Torah and stained glass

KOLLELIM

Amiable discussion in the Beit Midrash

Kollel programs serve scholars of exceptional promise who wish to devote all their academic energies to areas of Talmud and Halakha. Each program is designed for students with distinct career goals, whether in Jewish education, the rabbinate, Jewish scholarship, or other pursuits both in and out of Avodat HaKodesh.

Kollel fellows may be eligible to receive fellowships and residence hall scholarships.

THE MARCOS AND ADINA KATZ KOLLEL

Rosh Kollel: Rabbi Hershel Schachter

The Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel is the largest of the RIETS kollel programs with over 100 students, most of whom are still in the Yoreh Yoreh semikha program. Students study approximately 20 dapim of Gemara per semester and may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend. The kollel meets from 3:00 to 6:30 pm Sunday through Thursday and includes regular bechinot and a night seder requirement.

THE BELLA AND HARRY WEXNER KOLLEL ELYON AND SEMIKHAH HONORS PROGRAM

Rosh Kollel: Rabbi Mordechai I. Willig

This program combines intensive Torah learning for future rabbinic leaders with courses in skills such as counseling, advanced public speaking and writing, business ethics, and conflict resolution. It offers generous stipends to RIETS’ most promising young leaders, who attend world-class seminars and lectures to develop their potential.

Participants receive more than 400 hours of professional training as a supplement to their intensive Torah studies. Students enter the four-year Kollel Elyon program after finishing their Yoreh Yoreh semikha studies.

THE ISRAEL HENRY BEREN INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER TALMUDIC STUDIES
(HAMACHON HA-GAVOHAH LE’TALMUD AL SHEM BEREN)

Rosh Kollel: Rabbi Michael Rosensweig

This program provides post-rabbinic training for scholars who will become future Roshei Yeshiva and spiritual-intellectual role models for the Jewish community. Candidates are selected from among the most promising young rabbinic scholars and are also eligible to receive graduate school stipends.

More RIETS students in the Beit Midrash

THE RABBI NORMAN LAMM KOLLEL L’HORAAH (YADIN YADIN)

Rosh Kollel: Rabbi J. David Bleich
Assistant Rosh Kollel: Rabbi Mordechai I. Willig

This intensive four- to five-year program grants Yadin Yadin semikha to outstanding scholars who have already received Semikha Yoreh Yoreh, enabling them to serve as poskim in areas of Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat. They study Halakha and Responsa while observing the Beth Din of America and other batei din.

THE CAROLINE AND JOSEPH S. GRUSS INSTITUTE IN JERUSALEM

Director: Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein
Associate Director: Rabbi Dovid Miller

The Gruss Institute in Jerusalem offers yearlong programs of study for semikha and post-semikha students. Eligible RIETS students are encouraged to spend one of their four years of study at the Gruss Institute's kollel.

THE LUDWIG JESSELSON KOLLEL CHAVERIM

Rosh Kollel: Rabbi J. David Bleich

This program is designed for those with a background in Talmud who plan to enter professions other than the rabbinate. Participants pursue a post-college year of intense study of Talmud and Halakha related to their professional goal while attending regular RIETS shiurim.