Retreat - Kol Yaakov Torah Center

For the application, click here.

Recognizing the potential of exciting campus programs like Maimonides and Heritage Scholars to attract students with a genuine interest in Jewish learning, we’ve created a second tier of programming. The goal: to provide young men [we hope to develop a program for women as interest grows] with the opportunity to deepen their exploration of the vibrancy and intellectual stimulation of classical Judaism in a fun and enriching atmosphere.

Sample Schedule

7:30 – 8:30 Shacharis (optional)

8:45 – 9:30 Continental breakfast

9:30 – 10:30 Session I

"Shmuess" — Between Man and His Fellow

R’ Leib Tropper’s passion for the importance of character development is contagious, and the centrality of "being a mensch" to the Torah worldview is his leitmotif. His delivery, which blends a lucid and jargon-free elucidation of traditional sources with his expansive reading in modern psychology and philosophy, has captivated the minds and hearts of three generations of American youth.

10:30 – 11:30 Session II

Torah Alive

Learn to mine Rashi on the weekly Torah portion for insights which are timeless in relevance and poignant in their meaning for everyday life.

11:30 – 11:45 Break

11:45 – 1:15 Session III

Ocean of Wisdom — The Talmud

Talmud, the centerpiece of traditional Jewish learning, will propel you into a fascinating world of intellectual pursuit, truth-seeking and character development. The world has long recognized the philosophical richness and moral leadership of the Jewish people - without understanding that this distinction owes largely to the Talmud.

1:15 Lunch

2:00 – 6:00 Afternoon Activity

See below for potential events

6:00 – 7:00 Dinner

7:00 – 8:30 pm One-on-One

Take a deeper look at one of the topics you've encountered during the day, or ask an entirely different question that's been on your mind. The evening session will give you the opportunity to interact with the Retreat staff and "custom-fit" your learning experience.

8:30 – 9:30 Free time

A few other features of the week… Thursday night "mishmar": hot cholent and an open forum Q&A... Full-scale Shabbaton, complete with "Carlebach" service, Friday night oneg Shabbos and a Saturday-night "kumsitz" celebration.

Potential afternoon activities include:

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise around Manhattan

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

West Point Military Academy tour

Demonstrations by a professional shatnez tester and sofer (writer of Torah scrolls and tefillin)

"Ropes" course

Visit to New York’s preeminent Yeshiva of Staten Island and its dean, HaRav Reuven Feinstein, with a talk on site by R’ Leib Tropper on the History of Yeshivos

Tour of Empire Equity, with a talk by leading real estate entrepreneur Ezra Beiman on the melding of Torah with entrepeneurship

Dinner at the elegant Purple Pear with private performance by Yitzchak Rosenberg, former touring rock guitarist

Hiking and barbeque in a local state park

Please click on "application" to apply to the program. Note that accepted applicants will be fully funded for travel and all expenses during the program.

NEXT MEN’S SESSION: December 23-30, 2009