How My JNet Chavrusa Reignited My Connection to Judaism

Jonny Nulman grew up surrounded by Judaism, yet something never fully clicked. The prayers, the teachings—they were part of his world, but not of him. Years later, a weekly JNet chavrusa transformed Torah study from a routine into a source of clarity and connection.

The wooden benches of New York’s Orthodox schools held my body but not my soul. While my classmates swayed in prayer, their words seemingly ascending to heaven, mine felt trapped in my throat. Judaism surrounded me like a familiar coat that never quite fit, its warmth always just out of reach. But life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths, and mine led me after college to Manhattan’s East Village, where my true spiritual awakening began.

The Chabad of Bowery stood like a beacon in that sea of trendy cafes and vintage shops. Within its walls, Rabbi Korn showed me a Judaism that breathed with life. He never pushed, only guided, as I dipped my toes into the waters of Chassidut. Each page of Tanya became a key unlocking doors I never knew existed in my faith. I found myself delving deep into the Torah’s wisdom, poring over the Rebbe’s teachings, drinking in wisdom from my mentor Yaniv Hoffman, and losing myself in JEM videos that painted portraits of a Judaism pulsing with vitality.

Then in 2019, I received a gift. I met my wife, whose soul had been lit by the same flame at Chabad of Binghamton. Our shared passion for the Rebbe’s teachings was fertile soil where we could grow our future together.

In the Summer of 2022, I wrote another chapter in my story when a friend’s casual mention of JNet led me to meet Chaim Simpson. What started as a simple Torah study partnership blossomed into something profound. Chaim, a true talmid chochom, didn’t just teach texts; he illuminated worlds within words. Our weekly sessions exploring maamarim became journeys through the landscape of deep Jewish thought, each lesson leaving a strong impression on my soul.

Through Chaim’s guidance, Crown Heights transformed from a place on a map to a spiritual home. I’ll never forget dancing until my feet ached during Simchas Beis HaShoeva when I visited his family’s home, surrounded by friends who’d joined our celebration. In those moments, Judaism wasn’t just a religion; it was a living, breathing celebration of connection.

March 2024 brought the moment when everything crystallized as my wife and I welcomed our second son. Before I named him, during a study session with Chaim as we were diving deep into the maamer “V’Atah Tetzaveh,” the name Menachem Mendel spoke to my soul. The next day, without any prompting, my wife voiced the same thought. When we returned to the hospital to make the change on the birth certificate, we met the Rebbe’s shluchim Rabbi Konikov and Rabbi Shain in the lobby, confirming that we made the right choice.

Watching Chaim at our son’s bris, I felt the threads of our journey weaving together. Weeks later, as he helped me choose my first kapota and hat, I realized these weren’t just clothes; they were the outer expression of an inner fire that had been building for years.

Now, when I look back at that young man on those wooden benches, I see the beginning of a story I couldn’t have imagined. Through the gateway of Torah study and the lantern of the Rebbe’s teachings, I found not just the spark I’d been missing, but a bonfire that warms every corner of my life. Each step, from those first classes at Chabad of Bowery to the soul discussions with Chaim, has carved a path to a life overflowing with purpose.

JNet connects volunteers who’ve been blessed with a Jewish education to those eager to learn more. For mentees, it’s a one-on-one opportunity to explore their Jewish heritage at their own pace. For mentors, it’s a chance to channel their knowledge into a meaningful weekly Shlichus.

Register at www.jnet.org/learn. 

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