 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
WHAT IS YISRAEL CHAI?
Yisrael Chai is an exciting, cutting-edge program for Jews who want to explore their Judaism. We provide opportunities for Jews of all backgrounds to draw closer to their Jewish heritage, to the Jewish community, and to G-d. Our name, Yisrael Chai, means Israel lives. It expresses our fundamental belief that as Jews, we are one people who share a dynamic, living heritage founded upon the teachings of Torah.
WHOM DOES YISRAEL CHAI SERVE?
Yisrael Chai serves Jews of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are here for every Jew – no labels; no differences. One thing, and only one thing, binds us together – the common desire to understand and connect at a deeper level with all that it means to be a Jew.
WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF YISRAEL CHAI?
Yisrael Chai does not presuppose or seek to impose any specific level of knowledge or observance on anyone. Our objective is to meet each individual where he is in his Jewish life. We provide an open, accepting and non-judgmental atmosphere in which individuals may explore their Judaism. We believe that we are all learners, we are all on the same journey, and we make that journey together.
WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMMING DOES YISRAEL CHAI PROVIDE?
Our programming is designed to accomplish our mission of helping individuals draw closer to their Jewish heritage, to the Jewish community, and to G-d. We provide a variety of opportunities for learning, for prayer and for building Jewish community.
Learning. The focus of our learning at Yisrael Chai is Torah. We believe that Torah is the foundation for our relationships with each other and with G-d. Consistent with our philosophy, we seek to teach Torah in an open and accepting atmosphere which allows each individual to consider the teachings of Torah for himself, and apply them to daily life.
The director of Yisrael Chai, Rabbi Tuvia Goldstein, is currently teaching a course on the Basics of Jewish Prayer. This class covers the Jewish approach to prayer and an in-depth study of the siddur. Rabbi Goldstein has the ability to bring the words of the siddur to life. Contact us for details of time and location.
This fall we will begin a comprehensive, in-depth program of learning in Torah, Jewish history, philosophy, and practice. The program we will follow is designed by The Kollel Institute and has been replicated with great success in a number of cities across the country. For more information on the content of the program, see Kollel Institute’s website.
Classes on a variety of subjects will be offered by Yisrael Chai throughout the year. For ongoing information regarding new courses, join our e-mail list by returning the form provided at the end of this brochure.
Prayer. Through Congregation Beth Hamedrosh of Wynnewood, Yisrael Chai presently offers several opportunities for prayer which are designed to engage those who may not be comfortable in a traditional minyan. Each Friday Night we have a Carlebach Kabbalas Shabbos service. Guaranteed to uplift your spirit and warm your soul, in our Carlebach minyan we daven the tefillot to ruach-filled melodies composed by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.
On one Saturday morning each month, we offer a User Friendly Minyan for those who have not had the opportunity to learn the prayer service. This link will take you to a description of the UFM. The Carlebach service and User Friendly Minyan are in addition to the traditional minyanim offered at Beth Hamedrosh.
In addition to the Carlebach minyan and the UFM, Yisrael Chai has a “davening buddy” program, through which individuals who are unfamiliar with the prayer service are paired with a more seasoned davener. Some helpful guidelines for davening at CBH can be found here.
Building Jewish Community. Yisrael Chai will run a range of programs for families and individuals designed to foster Jewish identity and community. These will include a community Friday night dinner once each month.
Yisrael Chai has an active teen program which provides both educational and recreational programs designed to build Jewish character and knowledge. Activities include an informal dinner once each week with Rabbi Goldstein and twice monthly discussion of various topics in Jewish philosophy and life. A teen lounge in the facilities of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh provides a center for recreational activities and learning.
WHO ORGANIZED YISRAEL CHAI?
Yisrael Chai is an outreach program sponsored by Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, an Orthodox congregation located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Although Yisrael Chai was organized by Beth Hamedrosh, it is expressly designed for individuals who may not be comfortable in an Orthodox synagogue, or in any synagogue at all, for that matter. Individuals who participate in Yisrael Chai are welcome, but by no means required, to participate in or affiliate with Beth Hamedrosh in any way.
WHO IS THE LEADERSHIP OF YISRAEL CHAI?
The director of Yisrael Chai is Rabbi Tuvia Goldstein. Follow this link for more information about Rabbi Goldstein.
WHERE IS YISRAEL CHAI LOCATED?
Yisrael Chai presently occupies space in the facilities of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, 200 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. The building is located at the intersection of Haverford and Manoa Roads. The entrance faces Manoa Road, immediately across from the Penn Wynne shopping area. Ample parking is available and the building is handicap accessible. Most of our programs will also take place at this location.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YISRAEL CHAI?
We invite you to join our e-mail list by sending your information to us at explore@yisraelchai.com. We look forward to talking with you and meeting you personally. |
