By COLlive reporter
The Rosh Chodesh Society, women’s division of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), has once again launched a new course for women.
Simple Truths, a seven-session learning series running in over 200 Chabad locations, will unite thousands of Jewish women the world over in Torah study.
Inspired by the fact that this year, 5777, is the 40th anniversary of the Rebbe’s introduction of the 12 pesukim campaign, the course presents core Jewish ideas rooted in these 12 powerful verses.
“Simple Truths presents the beauty of the messages laden in the twelve pesukim and their everyday applications,” says RCS director Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson.
“It uncovers insights that anchor us, empower us, and guide us in times of doubt and uncertainty, giving us the confidence and know-how to navigate life’s most difficult challenges.”
Rosh Chodesh Society offers a new course every year, complete with a robust marketing and multimedia package, including PowerPoints and educational videos to accompany each lesson. Every lesson is text-based, intellectually rigorous and highly accessible, emphasizing student participation through discussion and chavruta-style learning.
In every RCS chapter around the globe, classes are given the week of Rosh Chodesh. The synchronicity of the program benefits both instructors and students: instructors can interact and share ideas through a virtual community created by an online forum, and students who travel can attend a class at any local RCS chapter.
“As a snowbird, I reside both in Canada and Florida”, says Randi Cohen, “and it’s been such a delight not to miss even one class!”
Since its inception, shluchos across every continent have become RCS affiliates, incorporating high-caliber Jewish adult learning into their shlichus while giving the women of their communities the opportunity to meet and bond through the powerful shared experience of in-depth Torah study.
“These classes were a tremendous success. The women wanted to continue learning throughout the summer!” shared Shlucha Rochel Lazaroff of Houston, TX.
“I can’t thank you enough for your encouragement. In my post on shlichus I have many duties, I have to say that I almost enjoyed this too much! – it hardly felt like work. It was as much a treat for me as it was for them. The preparation was so pleasant.”
In the words of Devorah Leah Marrus, Columbia, SC: “Rosh Chodesh Society has made me significantly more fulfilled in my shlichus. It has forced me, in the best possible way, to make time to study in depth regularly while preparing for the classes, and cultivate a community of educated women who come together once a month to study Torah on many levels…
“The ladies who join are deeply impressed and so appreciate the professionalism and thought that sets RCS apart – from the student books, multi-media, hands on experiences, to the many components of Torah and its manifestations in multiple areas of history, psychology and science – all found in every lesson. The support I receive from Shaindy and the team at RCS is unparalleled.”
“The women absolutely loved the class and were so moved and inspired. They cried and laughed and all said they went home with much to ponder! My heart is so full right now! It’s very hard to express the emotions you feel when your women are so moved and inspired by Torah. This class has done wonders!”, says RCS affiliate Mimi Kaplan, from Franklin Lakes, NJ.
As a first-time RCS member, Mushka Deitsch from Bronxville, NY, expressed the following: “Today I taught the first class of Simple Truths and WOW! It was so fabulous! Firstly, what a pleasure it was for me not have to prepare a class from scratch! And the tochen of your class was so rich. I loved learning it, and giving it over and I think the passion was felt. Many thank yous for giving me the opportunity to be a part of RCS. I am so happy I joined.”
For students and instructors alike, RCS has proven that Torah study among women has a unique power to reverberate way beyond the individual participants, to their families and wider communities.
“I have done Jewish Women’s Circle events for many years, and felt I needed an upgrade. I was worried I would not have time to prepare for the in-depth RCS classes but am so happy I took the plunge,” says RCS affiliate Elana Kornfeld of Burbank, CA. “On a personal level, I felt inspired preparing every class and after giving it over, I literally felt a spiritual high. The ladies in our community truly loved it. They all wanted to know when the next class would be.”
“Learning about Judaism through the Rosh Chodesh Society has had a tremendous impact in all areas of my life: my marriage, my relationships with my family, my work,” says Erica Nagel, an RCS student in the UK. “The lessons go home with me, and are shared with my family, friends, and colleagues.”
In the words of RCS participant Katie Shore of NY: “I’m part of Rosh Chodesh Society for me and for my daughter Maya. I want to ensure that my children, my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren will be inspired and connected to their Judaism.”
“The best program in the world is only as good as its instructors,” says Mrs. Jacobson, “and RCS has been blessed with the greatest gift of all, the Rebbe’s Shluchos, whose selfless dedication and unconditional love for every Jew is really what fuels the Rosh Chodesh Society’s success.”
For more information about Simple Truths, visit roshchodeshsociety.com/courses. To attend this course in Crown Heights, contact Beis Medrash Women’s Circle at [email protected]
As a Crown Heights mother I salute JLI and the Rosh Chodesh Society for helping my daughters / daughter-in-law in their shlichus. I’ve attended several classes myself during visits with my children and have had such nachas seeing how they taught, how much the ladies enjoyed, the friendships that were created. Kol hakavod. Chazak.
Dear Mimi,
May your heart continue to be full with such meaningful emotion and well deserved pleasure. You are an amazing teacher, and an even more amazing human being.
G-d bless you.
A longtime fan
Elana Kornfeld is the best!
The Rebbe started the 12 psukim campaign 40 yrs ago. We don’t often see what happens down the road. Last week I was privileged to get a glimpse. A woman attending the 1st class couldn’t believe she recognized the “12 Jewish songs”, remembering them from when she was a camper at Camp Gan Izzy in California.
Imagine how many others like her there are out there. Wow.
I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for this program. I can only imagine the dedication Shaindy Jacobson and her team put into creating the fabulous resource. Thank you!
Clear and aesthetically pleasing, the powerpoints contain so much meaning and are a fab visual for the class. Well done once again team RCS!
Elana, you are a very special person; a teacher par excellence; an example to be emulated; so proud and lucky to be part of your women’s group. How true – your spiritual high has spilled over to me, and to many others.
As a shlucha living in a tiny community in the boondocks I want to express my hakoras hatov to Mrs.Shaindy Jacobson and JLI for encouraging me to join the Rosh Chodesh Society. Very big thank you also to the Gniwisch family for sponsoring the stunning RCS branded bracelets. My ladies love them! And feel very much part of a special Jewish womens club.
Rosh Chodesh Society is really a class act. EVERYTHING is so well done from a-z. What’s most unique about this JLI program is that the RCS team cares about each and every shlucha as much as they do about the actual program.
Thank you!
The women will definitely bring Moshiach!
This is really so impressive. Go Shluchos!!