HalachaU and SCP-Chabad are returning for the summer semester with all new shiurim for communities across the country and the world. The successful SCP-Chabad and HalachaU programs operate under the motto “Halacha for Everyone,” and seek to help members of the Chabad community continue their constant education in Torah and Judaism. As suggested in the names, the programs run on two tracks geared toward different levels of religious education in their attendees.
The first track, Semichas Chaver Chabad (SCP-Chabad), is mainly geared towards Lubavitch communities and Chabad Houses with a more established frum community and those with some Yeshiva education.SCP-Chabad is a branch of the worldwide Semichas Chaver Program, founded by Rabbi Elyada Goldwicht and currently offered in 250 locations. SCP-Chabad was founded by Rabbi Betzalel Bassman and Rabbi Avrohom Jacks in conjunction with Lubavitcher Rabbonim to adapt the hugely successful curriculum to follow the opinions of the Alter Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek and contemporary Chabad Poskim.
SCP Chabad is a eight-year program divided into six-month courses with classes held weekly. Each six month course is an independent subject after which students review the material and take a test. Those who pass the test receive a prestigious Semichas Chaver certificate signed by leading Rabbonim from around the world, as well as prominent Chabad Rabbonim. SCP Chabad is endorsed by HaRav Gedalia Oberlander shlit”a and HaRav HaDayan Levi Raskin shlit”a.
This past semester SCP-Chabad taught Hilchos Seuda in 40 communities. It is going to be starting Halachos of the Workplace (Ribis and Baal Talin) in those same communities after Pesach.
Classes are growing, and SCP participants are excited. “I feel very fortunate to BH able to participate in the Semichas Chaver learning program,” said Reuven Frank of Baltimore. “Much thought and intention has been given to the structure and delivery of the material; there is a beautiful balance of conceptual background and practical application.”
Dr. Michael Moritz of Pittsburgh agrees. “Semichas Chaver is a university-level program in content, structure and instruction. It’s interesting, challenging, engaging and useful. I am fortunate to have this.”
Rabbis teaching the program are also excited. “The balance between in-depth study and its practical application in halacha is beautiful,” says Rabbi Dovid Shmuckler, who teaches the course in Los Angeles. “The program has amazing repercussions,” he says, “starting right in the heart of the Beis Medrash and spreading outwards to family and friends.”
Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Sacramento comments, “I want to thank everybody who is putting so much work into the Simchas Chaver Chabad program! It is transforming our community, giving so many people an understanding of how halacha works.”
Rabbi Moshe Markowitz has been teaching SCP Chabad in Chicago for two years now. He describes the material as “at the same time is true הלכה לעיון and also הלכה למעשה. Every shiur is designed in a way that keeps it exciting, interesting and very interactive.”
Classes will cover relevant subjects such as baal talin and ribbis – the complex matters surrounding paying employees on time and charging interest.
Where SCP-Chabad caters students with some Yeshiva background, its sister program, HalachaU, is tailored towards those Chabad houses attendees with little to no formal experience in studying texts. HalachaU has already been piloted in over 30 Chabad Houses to much praise from both the Shluchim and the participants.
Rabbi Moshe Raichik of Brooklyn College comments, “I have a mix of students in my HalachaU class, some that have some knowledge, others that have zero. They enjoy the class, they ask questions. It’s a good flow with great topics.”
About the material he says, “It is not watered down. Its excitement factor is that we are going through the Gemara, Shulchan Aruch and more. I start by going line by line in the source sheets and then use the slide show to make it practical. The engagement I have received is far more than I could have asked for.”
For more information regarding SCP-Chabad or Halacha please contact Rabbi Betzalel Bassman – [email protected]
The deadline to sign up for the next semester is 25 Adar. scpchabad.org.
Here is a full list of the current locations for SCP – Chabad & HalachaU (That have taught at least two semesters)
Belgium
Rabbi Mendel Gurary – Antwerp, Belgium
Canada
Rabbi Berel Bell – Montreal, Canada
Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman – Chabad of Richmond
Rabbi Mendy Blachman – University of Alberta, Canada
Rabbi Tzemach Raskin – Montreal, CAN (Also Women’s Halacha Circle)
Rabbi Levi Jacobson – Toronto, Canada
Rabbi Levi Zaltzman – Toronto, Canada
Rabbi Yossi Bernstein – Chabad of Maple Ontario (HU)
England
Rabbi Chaim Hoch – London, UK (HU)
Rabbi Mendel Cohen – Manchester, UK
Eretz Yisroel
Rabbi Chaim Gluchowski – Ramat Gan, Eretz Yisroel
Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Petach Tikva, Eretz Yisroel
Rabbi Ariel Gorenstein – Tzefat, Eretz Yisroel
Rabbi Eliyahu Yechezkal – Rechovot, Eretz Yisroel
Rabbi Eliyahu Rosenblat – Lud, Eretz Yisroel
Russia
Rabbi Yossi Marzal – Moscow
United States
Arizona
Rabbi Dovber Dechter – Phoenix, AZ
California
Rabbi Dovid Shmukler – Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Mendy Cohen – Sacramento, CA
Rabbi Sholom Heidingsfeld – Simcha Monica, CA
Rabbi Dovid Cunin – Hidden Hills, CA (HU)
Rabbi Zusha Rivkin – Chabad of Pasadena, CA
Connecticut
Rabbi Avi Dagan – New Haven, CT
Rabbi Mendel Posner – New Haven, CT
Florida
Rabbi Pinchas Adler – Chabad of Pinellas County (HU)
Rabbi Zalman Bukiet – Chabad of West Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi Chaim Boruch Lipskier – University of Central Florida (HU)
Rabbi Yossi Marlow – North Miami Beach, FL (Also Women’s Halacha Circle)
Rabbi Aharon Chaim Notik – University of Florida (HU)
Rabbi Eli Philips – Hallandale Beach, Florida
Rabbi Dov Schochet – Miami Beach, Florida
Illinois
Rabbi Moshe Markowitz – Chicago, IL
Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolberg – Glencoe, IL (HU)
Iowa
Rabbi Koppel Zirkind – Postville, IA
Kentucky
Rabbi Shmully Litvin – Chabad of Kentucky (HU)
Maryland
Rabbi Moshe Slavaticki – Baltimore, MA (Also Women’s Halacha Circle)
Michigan
Rabbi Shneur Silverberg – Detroit, MI
New Jersey
Rabbi Chaim Schapiro – Morristown, NJ
Rabbi Shaya Shagalov – Chabad House of Rutgers University (HU)
New York
Rabbi Mottel Rubin – Albany, NY
Rabbi Yankel Raskin – Brooklyn, NY (HU)
Rabbi Michoel Lerner – Crown Height, NY
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Kagan – Monsey, NY
Rabbi Asher Webb – Remsen, NY
Pennsylvania
Rabbi Betzalel Bassman – Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Mendel Goreman – Kingston, PA
Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld – Pittsburgh, PA (Women’s Halacha Circle)
Vermont
Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin – Chabad of Burlington, Vermont
Texas
Rabbi Mendy Marinovsky – Hueston, TX
Rabbi Peretz Schapiro – Dallas, TX
Rabbi Shmuli Slonim – Chabad at Rice University (HU)
Washington State
Rabbi Mordechai Farkash – Chabad of Bellevue
