Helping Mesivtas to Love Learning

By COLlive reporter
Photo by Zalmy Berkowitz

443 Chabad bochurim at 14 Mesivtas were voluntarily tested on what they learned under an inspirational program of the newly created association “Igud Mesivtos V’Yeshivos.”

The talmidim undertook the challenge to learn, at their own comfort level, with the aid of materials created by the Igud. Almost without exception, hundreds of talmidim took the test and were successful.

The new Igud, which unites all the Chabad Mesivtos worldwide, was created under the Merkos Chinuch Office through the offices of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky.

Its aim is to assure full the inclusion of all students, regardless of their intellectual capabilities or their social skills, into personal learning and performance programs, within the mesivta curricular as well as extracurricular activities.

This first initiative of the Igud is called, Vehagisa with the operational motto “Learn, Review, Remember.”

“Our goal here is for talmidim to feel comfortable with and enjoy their learning. Experience has shown that when one enjoys and remembers it over the longer term, he will develop a deeper appreciation for the process of learning itself,” says Rabbi Mendy Itzinger, director of the Igud.

Early reports from mesivtas appear to indicate that this new initiative has already made a huge difference.

Well beyond original estimates, hundreds of young bochurim from almost every Mesivta across the USA and Canada are uniting to learn and retain their knowledge, in an approach that encourages each talmid to learn the amount most suited to him, with the guidance from the Yeshiva, and his choice is kept totally personal and private.

Through monthly and thrice annual tests and various special events throughout the year, bochurim are encouraged to keep reviewing; until the information is fully retained.

“Additionally, in today’s day and age, it is imperative that our students realize that they are part of a larger community and they are not in it ‘on their own,” said Rabbi Itzinger.

The Igud publishes daily worksheets for the talmidim with an ‘Overview’ of the quota they have undertaken along with translation of less common words. Also on the page, a pertinent Halacha which develops from the Gemorah page – to bring out the practical application of the talmid has learned.

“The very fact that hundreds of talmidim are on the same page, literally, has created a new bond among them. Talmidim in a variety of venues are communicating in a new way which is an invaluable by-product of this great initiative,” says Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, director of the Merkos Chinuch Office.

Rabbi Itzinger told our reporter that the Gemorah project is only the first of many more to come. Many more other subjects, as well as personal assistance in a number of creative ways will be addressed.