St. Louis Kollel’s annual summer learning program, “Yarchei Kallah,” will take place this year Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27. The program is open to the community and includes a variety of thought-provoking learning sessions in separate tracks for men and women. Self-contained morning or evening sessions are designed for all backgrounds and levels, making it possible for everyone to participate.

A Shabbos program for men and women on July 21 will kick off the Yarchei Kallah, featuring special guest lecturer Rabbi Yehoshua Kurland, a close talmid of the late Rabbi Shlomo Friefeld, and Magid Shiur of Yeshivas Shor Yoshuv for the past 35 years. Kurland is the author of three volumes on Jewish outlook called “A Time to Laugh, A Time to Listen,” a popular series mixing humor and philosophy to shed light on important topics pertaining to the daily life of a Jew. Davening at Agudas Israel begins on Shabbos morning at 8:30 a.m. and will include a drasha by Kurland. A community lecture for men and women with Kurland will take place at 6:40 p.m. at Young Israel. Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos with Kurland will take place at U. City Shul (Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol Shaarei Chesed).

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

The men’s program begins with an analysis of a Talmudic text, following it through to its practical halachic outcome, giving participants a rare opportunity to develop an appreciation for how modern day Jewish law evolves from the oral tradition.  Through several group lectures led by 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 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, “Kuzari: A Text-Based Philosophical Adventure” led by Mimi David, will feature an analysis of key Jewish beliefs including “Chosen Nation,” the golden calf, the afterlife and more, and will likewise be accessible to all levels. 

David is a veteran educator and a popular lecturer for Ohr Pesia and Aish HaTorah. She attended Torah Academy for Girls for 12 years, and received her Judaic Studies teaching certification from BYA seminary in Israel, and has been teaching upper elementary and high school girls for the past 12 years. All weekday learning for women in the morning will take place at the Young Israel Beit Medrash.               

This year’s Yarchei Kallah is sponsored by the Fredman Family Charitable Trust in memory of Alvin Fredman.

Pre-registration ensures 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.

For more information, contact Rabbi Shaya Mintz at 314-726-6047 or email [email protected].