Melbourne Semicha Marks Graduation

Machon Menachem Semicha Program in Melbourne, Australia, has concluded another successful year of study under the direction of Shliach and Dayan Rabbi Yacov Barber.

Rabbi Barber has designed a structure whereby the talmid knows the study topics for the upcoming week. He also prepares written material to assist the talmidim in their preparation and revision of the topics being studied.

Rabbi Barber conducts a twice weekly class via Skype. The bochurim interact with each other via a dedicated Whatsapp group; they ask each other questions and discuss the topics they are learning, creating somewhat of a virtual Semicha Program.

“The Semicha Program was founded to fill a need for bochurim on shlichus where there isn’t an already established Yeshiva,” Rabbi Barber says. “Nothing can replace a Yeshiva in terms of structure and environment. However, there are bochurim during their year of shlichus or post-shlichus who would like to advance in learning and require the necessary structure.”

He noted that a bochur who has spent many years in Yeshiva will have focused his learning on the study of Gemorah. The learning of Yoreh Deah for Semicha is a unique form of learning. “Machon Menachem’s program emphasizes these two areas.”

This past year, there were participating talmidim from Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto and Mexico.

“Rabbi Barber’s classes are engaging, relevant and masterfully conveyed. I appreciated the structure of designated times for learning with other bochurim,” said Chaim Mayzlesh, one of the Semicha students during his year of Shlichus in Melbourne. “I enthusiastically recommend Rabbi Barber’s Semicha program!”

For more information about the Semicha Program for 5777, please contact Rabbi Yacov Barber [email protected]