Photos: Saul Sudin
A creative, groundbreaking, and completely unique Kollel is blossoming in downtown Brooklyn.
Jews ranging from Boro Park Chassidim to Brooklyn Hipsters are coming together to learn Torah – in a deep and transformative way. Students from all walks of life are coming together in their passion for Torah and their desire to uncover its deeper secrets, in a way that will uplift them and bring them to a higher place in their avodas Hashem.
The IYYUN Kollel is the brainchild of both Jorian/Yonah Polis-Schutz, of the prestigious Polis-Schutz family, a creative intellectual scholar and writer turned yeshiva student and his Rav, Rabbi DovBer Pinson.
This kollel is unique for multiple reasons, but first and foremost, in that it is a combination and full integration of both Halacha and Chakira//the legal & the philosophical and Niglah and Nistar/ the revealed aspects of Torah & the mystical components.
Utilizing the entirety of PaRDeS, The IYYUN Kollel seeks to take one topic or subject at a time, and do a thorough exploration of that topic, approaching it from every possible angle, and creating a comprehensive study on that particular subject.
The Kollel begins next week, Sunday the 26th of Cheshvan, with the timely topic of Mabul, the Great Flood in the times of Noach.
The students and teachers will approach the Mabul from every perspective and learn b’Iyyun/in depth, through Shiurim, and through chavrusa learning, using Tanach, Midrash , Mishnah, Gemara, Halacha and Poskim, Kabbalah and Chassidus, to gain new insight into both the specific story of the Mabul, the concepts introduced within that story, and the idea of water in general.
Another aspect that is unique to the IYYUN Kollel is the range of students it attracts. The attendees range from students of Rabbi Pinson’s Boro Park Kabbalah/Chassidus Chabura to Baalei Teshuvah, artists, musicians, poets, writers and scholars, and even a world-champion boxer!
Some of the well-known students include the musicians and artists, Shlomo Gaisin, Levi Robin, Zeke Finn, Eden Pearlstein and Yuri Foreman, as well as numerous other incredibly talented and creative individuals. They each bring their own unique perspective to the learning, and together something amazing is created.
Rabbi Pinson is the Rosh Kollel and Menhal Ruchni. Joining him in teaching, the Magidei Shiurim include Rabbi Shmuel Braun and Rabbi Yanky Raskin. Yonah Polis-Schutz is the Executive Director, Vukan (Benny) Marinkovic, a MA of Philosophy, Religion and Jewish Philosophy is the Project Director, and Eden Pearlstein, a MA of Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Education is the Creative Director.
Each subject of learning culminates in an event, which is a blend of music, art and teachings by the students and is a creative and collaborative endeavor generated through the learning itself.
This is beyond amazing – Rav Pinson is Mamesh connecting worlds and his influence, brilliance and presence is spreading throught the world.
Mazel tov on the Kollel. 26 Cheshvan is the birthday of Rabbi Yosef Halevi Wineberg a”h. He would have much nachas!
Mamesh bridging worlds, what a wonderful achievement.
Much Hatzlacha
So heartwarming to see Hatzlocha Rabba