New Yeshiva Fills Void

It was 16 years ago that a glaring need stared out at those paying attention within the Lubavitch education community. What was it that was missing? There was no yeshiva or school for a bochur who didn’t look, think and act like a classic yeshiva bochur would. If he didn’t dress the part or wear the clothes; if he openly displayed different musical interests and had a taste for secular media; if he wasn’t sure if his next step would be college, the Israeli army or the workforce; there was no yeshiva for him to call home. He drifted; either in or out of yeshiva.

In response to that void, Bais Menachem opened its unique program in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Bais Menachem teaches these young men Judaism in a meaningful way, a way they can follow, relate to and take with them in life. The yeshiva provides daily recreation, a basketball team, chess club, a music room, a game room, and always a staff of Rabbis and shluchim with whom any student can find someone they feel comfortable talking to about life.

The early years offered a work option for students. This was later replaced with a GED program, a graphic design course, music theory and custom electives and career training modules. Throughout its history it remains a welcoming place no matter the students’ entry point or interests. For sixteen years now this institution has been constantly adapting to the needs of its students, while striving to improve itself and its effectiveness. Bais Menachem has developed a curriculum that best serves its students, helping them to gain knowledge as well as an appreciation for Torah, and finally, life skills. While one class helps with Gemara learning skills, another challenges perspectives looking at modern social and legal cases, exploring how our Sages’ wisdom shines light thereto. Another class covers topics in Jewish law thoroughly, while yet another focuses on psychological, moral and spiritual personal development. All students benefit from Chassidus classes that apply directly to life and growth.

The GED program successfully prepares students to earn their diplomas. Computer classes open new windows into possible careers as students learn programming languages. Those who wish to push further in their learning are able to study Semicha with the one of a kind instruction offered by Rabbi Mendel Zirkind.

In 2014 another need began to show itself very strongly; not enough is being done for students 14-16 years old, who need a more flexible, student-based program with the personal touch. Bais Menachem responded, opening a satellite program for younger students. Now having completed our second year and having had great success with a small group of students, we wish to open our doors to all those in need.

Bais Menachem Mount Cobb is located thirty minutes from our older division in Mt. Cobb, Pa. It sits on a thirty acre campus, with fields for sports and relaxation, woods, hiking trails, a fire pit, basketball hoop, music lessons and a game room.

Under the leadership of Director Uri Perlman and Principal Yossi Goodman, students ages 14-16 are offered the attention they need, classes they can enjoy, room to breathe, and the right environment for healthy development of the entire person. Mount Cobb possesses its own complement of rabbis, teachers and shluchim and it benefits from the experience and knowledge of the core Bais Menachem staff who teach and farbreng there nightly throughout the year.

Mornings are spent learning Torah in small classes with understanding teachers; afternoons are a time to study math, English, science and history in order to earn their high school diploma. Monthly trips and Shabbatons are both an extra incentive for the students and a fun and important element of the program.

To learn more about Bais Menachem Mount Cobb please call Yossi Goodman at 347-268-9961 or Uri Perlman at 570-239-4348.