When Shluchim Can’t Teach

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Dov Yona Korn admits that “while I want to learn with every student and every Jew I have the privilege to have a connection with,” he does not always have ability to carve out time.

So the Shliach at New York University sends his people to JNet, a project founded in 2005 by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch to enable Jewish adults to study Torah in a convenient time and personal manner.

A JNet member is paired with a chavrusa learning partner, they choose a topic and time and study together over the phone. They currently have more than 600 members.

“I have many success stories of individuals who began a connection with me and later they are thriving Jewishly,” says Rabbi Korn. “I ask them what’s going on, and they say ‘Rabbi, you hooked me up with JNet. It changed my life’.”

More than 28,500 shiurim have been delivered over the phone last year alone and more than 700 people were set up, says Yehuda Dukes, JNet’s managing director.

“We need new volunteers to help even more individuals learn and connect to their Jewish heritage,” says Dukes. “Each volunteer/teacher makes a tremendous difference.”

Abe, a participant from Charlotte, NC, says, “my Chavrusa is warm, knowledgeable and has a heart of gold. Each phone call with him is an experience for itself.”

JNet is slated to run a phone-a-thon this coming week, enabling Chabad community members to join the growing phenomenon, and become part of this incredible project – by volunteering or donating.

“Don’t sit back and take pride, but be a part of it,” says Rabbi Naftali Rotenstreich, Director of Chabad Center for Jewish Discovery in Manhattan.

Fore more info, call 1-877-JNET-2-GO (563-8246) or visit JNet.org