St. Louis Kollel’s weeklong summer learning program known as “Yarchei Kallah” will take place this year on Monday, Aug. 1 through Friday, Aug. 5. The program is open to the community and includes several thought-provoking learning sessions in separate tracks for men and women.

The men’s program will start with a Talmudic text, following it through to its practical halachic outcome, giving participants an opportunity to develop an appreciation for how modern day Jewish law evolves from the oral tradition. 

This year’s featured Scholar-In-Residence is Rabbi Ben-Tzion Mellman, Senior Member of the Kollel Avodas Levi at Ner Israel Rabbinical College.

Through several group lectures led by Rabbi Mellman, along with small group learning facilitated by Rabbis of the St. Louis Kollel, and chavrusa learning with a study partner matched to each person’s level, participants will have a chance to review and delve into the material in greater depth and detail.

The morning sessions for men will take place at Agudas Israel from 8 to 10:30 a.m., and evening sessions will take place from 8 to 9:45 p.m. A hot buffet breakfast will be served at the St. Louis Kollel at 7:30 a.m. prior to each of the morning sessions.

The women’s program, led by Mindi Mintz, will also offer learning opportunities in a choice of morning or evening sessions, and will likewise be accessible to all levels, with no prior knowledge of Hebrew required. Mintz has been involved in education on the elementary, high school and adult levels throughout her career, and currently serves as Judaic Studies Principal for Torah Prep Girls School in University City. She has taught numerous subjects including Chumash, Jewish Philosophy and Hebrew Language.

The subject of the women’s program will be “God and His Relationship with the Jewish People”, with the focus being on the essential core beliefs that make up the Jewish religion using a textual study of Maimonides’ “Principles of Faith” as a springboard.  

All weekday learning for women in the morning will take place at the Young Israel Beit Medrash. The evening learning for women will take place at St. Louis Kollel 8 to 9 p.m. and will focus on “Divine Providence” and “Reward and Punishment.” 

The Shabbos program for men and women will take place on Aug. 6, featuring special Guest Lecturer Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, President of Ner Israel Rabbinical College. Davening at Agudas Israel begins at 8:30 a.m. and will include a drasha by Rabbi Neuberger. A Community Lecture for men and women with Rabbi Neuberger will take place at 6:40 p.m. at Young Israel.  Rabbi Neuberger’s topic will be “Bookends of the Three Weeks: Events in the Desert That Shape our History and Destiny.” Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos with Rabbi Neuberger will take place at 7:45 p.m. at U. City Shul (formerly Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol Shaarei Chesed). Rabbi Neuberger succeeded his father, Rabbi Herman N. Neuberger, as President of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Ner Israel Rabbinical College.

This year’s Yarchei Kallah is sponsored by The Fredman Family Charitable Trust.

Pre-registration is requested to ensure participants a place in the program. A $50 registration fee covers the entire men’s program. A $30 registration fee or a $7.50 fee per class covers the women’s program.

Men should contact Rabbi Mintz at the Kollel 314-726-6047 or e-mail [email protected] to register for the morning or evening session and to arrange a study partner.   To register or for more information, visit www.stlkollel.com.