It was packed house at the Yeshivas STaM Open House in Crown Heights where visitors came to get a first-hand experience of writing scrolls for Mezuzahs, Tefillin and Torahs.
Held at HaSofer on Kingston Avenue, the event promoted the upcoming Yeshivas STaM Summer Zman which will teach the craft to a select group of students with source-texts and hands-on practice.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Rabin, known as “Fitz”, a sought-after sofer and the founder of Yeshivas STaM, opened the evening with a discussion about the mission and vision of Yeshivas STaM.
“While there has been a tremendous growth spurt of STaM retail shops coupled with higher-than-ever standards, what is glaringly missing is comprehensive, organized training for both the craft of writing STaM and, perhaps more importantly, for the mastering of the related Halacha. That is the need that Yeshivas STaM is filling,” said Rabin.
To provide a direct experience of Yeshivas STaM, Rabbi Rabin proceeded to deliver an animated Shiur on the topic of what to do when letters that are found to be touching during kriah in a Sefer Torah.
Using a booklet (download here) of source-texts that was provided – a trademark of Yeshivas STaM Shiurim – attendees were able to follow along and see the entire discussion unfolding in the original sources.
To widen the horizon of opportunities in STaM, Zalman Schapiro of HaSofer presented a unique opportunity to work on restoring aged Sifrei Torah for anyone looking for an entry-level internship into the field of Hagah’ah (checking/fixing).
At the end of the evening there was Q&A session, mingling, refreshments, and every attendee was presented with a special Hagaddah in honor of the occasion.
“I really enjoyed the open house and am very excited about the opportunity to learn stam in such a setting,” said Avi Berman who came from Washington Heights for the event.
With the Open House being just the beginning, Yeshivas STaM looks forward to bringing many more such events to the community serving as an institution that brings pride to the Rebbe and the community.
For more information visit: www.yeshivasstam.com
Learn Halacha before making a move. One mistake can posul the entire work, essential knowledge is a must before doing anything to “fix” a problem. Consult a qualified person before touching up or fixing any mistakes.
I enjoy reading Rabbi Rabin’s comments and articles on the international sofer stam forum on the internet. I also saw his course advertised there. Is there any way to join via skype or via the internet? I dont live in the N.Y. area…
Thank you Rabbi Fitz Rabin for offering such a thorough and professional program! עלה והצלח
Menachem B.
Yeshivas STaM is a comprehensive learning and training Yeshiva to master STaM. No such course has ever been offered before.
You can find out more about it on http://www.yeshivasstam.com/course
What a wonderful idea. I can say first hand, that Fitz is the perfect teacher to fill this role. He lives and thrives in safrus. If you have a feeling and/ or love for STAM, some yiras shomayim and this program, will set your future and life ahead of you.
If I remember correctly Chevras Hasofrim made a program like this last year together with one of the camps…not sure which
It’s about time there was a comprehensive summer program to teach ספרות.
This follows in the footsteps of the Beis medrosh lrabonim that the frierdiker rebbe established in nevel during the year 1924, headed by reb shmuel Halevi Levitin. In which one of the subjects that were taught was safruth.
Wishing the Yeshiva, lots of success.
It’s about time we got more options for our boys who leave the system only knowing how to survive on shlichus and then discover that shlichus is a lost art.
Yahser Koach Fitz!
Such an important project, happy to see that it’s growing
Great booklet .Thanks for all your effort. hatzlocho rabbo
Keep up the good work and the great teaching.
I am so excited that stam is becoming something that we can learn more about. Its great to be educated in a field that until now was only for sofrim. Keep up the good work
Fitz Rabin is AMAZING at teaching. He is clear, organized, and very passionate. Anyone looking to learn STAM for real should do this