St. Louis Kollel’s Annual “Yarchei Kallah” summer learning program will take place Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11. 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.

A community Shabbat program kicks off the Yarchei Kallah for men and women on July 6, featuring rabbis from the St. Louis Kollel who will be speaking throughout the community at Agudas Israel, Nusach Hari B’nai Zion, U. City Shul and Young Israel.

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. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Mellman came to Ner Israel High School over three decades ago, married the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Mintz, faculty member of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and served as a close personal assistant to HaRav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky.

The men’s program on “Mesechtes Gittin: An In-Depth Look at the Sugya of ‘Pruzbol’” begins with an analysis of 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. Through several group lectures led by Mellman, along with small group learning facilitated by St. Louis Kollel rabbis 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 from 8-9:45 p.m. A hot buffet breakfast will be served at the Kollel at 7:30 a.m. prior to each of the morning sessions.

The women’s program, “An Exploration of the Nine Days” with Tobie Teller, principal of the Hannah Sachs Bais Yaakov High School School in Chicago, will take place on Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9 at the Young Israel Beit Medrash. On Wednesday, July 10, Mindi Mintz will present “Between the Braids: An understanding of the spiritual role of the Jewish woman through an in-depth study of the Mitzva of Hafrashas Challah.”  

New this year will be a special teen and post-seminary girl’s Beis Medrash Style Learning Program at Young Israel on Pirkei Avos. The program takes place from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m. July 8-11 and will be led by Shira Kark and Daniella Yasinev.

Yarchei Kallah is sponsored by The Fredman Family in memory of Alvin Fredman.

Pre-registration is required ($50 for the men’s program; $30 for the women’s program). Fees include refreshments and all source materials.

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