“I honestly never want to miss a day of Beis Midrash,” says Devorah Leah Gerber, a first year student at Batsheva Learning Center’s afternoon learning program in Crown Heights. “The chavrusa learning is great. The teachers are knowledgeable and relatable. The curriculums are highly professional and the atmosphere is super warm and homey!”
The Beis Midrash is nearing the end of its second year with sixteen students enrolled, half of whom are second year students. The young women who join spend their mornings in seminary or working and dedicate three hours every afternoon to learning at the Beis Midrash.
Each day, the students spend half of that time studying chassidus, and the other half on halacha. The chassidus curriculum aims to expose students to a deep level of learning and to build their skills for studying more challenging texts of chassidus.The halacha curriculum explores topics in halacha from the text of the Shulchan Aruch and includes the background sources in the Gemara, rishonim and acharonim that contribute to the way the halachos are practiced today.
One student, Leah, describes what she gained from the Beis Midrash’s unique curriculum. “For the first time in my life, I feel like the halachos are mine, not just something that was told to me. This motivates me to keep them as best as I can. And the consistent, in-depth learning of chassidus every day, deepened my relationship with Hashem, gave me much more clarity on my inner workings, and gave me a strong sense of purpose in my life mission as a Jew.”
The focus of the program is on building the students’ independent learning skills, exposing them to the original Torah sources and empowering them with the confidence and tools they need to learn on a deep level. The students spend majority of their time learning in chavrusas, using workbooks designed to assist them in their study of the curriculum, with program facilitators present to guide them. They also participate in weekly shiurim that provide opportunities for review and deeper insights.
“What I found so unique about the program is the emphasis it places on guiding you to learn on your own, which inculcates real skills,” said Sheina Paltiel, another student at the program. “I have gained a huge mindset shift in my understanding and knowledge of halacha, chassidus, and Torah in general.”
Beyond the academics, the Beis Midrash creates a warm, welcoming community for its students, young women in their 20’s who are passionate about Torah learning and want to share that passion with others. Students participate in farbrengens, workshops and Shabbos meals that help them to bond and connect as a group. “Everyone is so genuine and we’re all here because we want to be here,” Devorah Leah commented.
The Beis Midrash is more than just a place for students to acquire knowledge or inspiration. It aims to shift their relationship with Torah and Yiddishkeit for the rest of their lives. “I view the Beis Midrash as an investment for my entire life as a Jewish woman,” says Leah. “As I have learned how to learn, I can do this even when I don’t have classes available to me. I have
absorbed my learning in a different way than ever before, creating deep connection, strength and ownership of the concepts I learned that can never be taken away from me.” Sheina agrees. “I have learned so many new skills and have really had the opportunity to internalize what I learned in a way that will stay with me throughout my life.”
In a move to accommodate its growing student body and expand their course offerings, the Brooklyn Beis Midrash is thrilled to announce its expansion and relocation to a new venue, starting September 2024. The new venue, a beautiful and spacious shul located in the heart of Crown Heights, will include an additional space for students to use for downtime or work in between classes, as well as for on-site childcare. The Beis Midrash also plans to extend their hours to a full-day program that will offer students the options of joining for a morning session, afternoon session or both. The schedule will include courses in Tanya, Halacha, Gemara and sugyos in Chassidus, all structured around guided chavrusa learning from the original texts. For women who don’t live locally in Crown Heights, the Beis Midrash also offers an online Chassidus course that runs for an hour and a half daily.
More information and registration can be found at:
https://www.batshevalearningcenter.com/beismidrash
This is such an amazing initiative coming from young energy!