Winter Torah is a national initiative for students with a strong Jewish educational background
Winter Torah, was a four-day intensive learning seminar, and the first initiative of its kind by Chabad Shluchim on campus. Sponsored in part by Chabad on Campus International, Winter Torah is geared primarily for college students with affiliated backgrounds.
Rabbi Shaul and Tzipah Wertheimer are Shluchim at Queens College, home to a large religiously affiliated student population. The Wertheimers started Winter Torah with the aim of developing an organized program to give these students an opportunity to enhance their Yiddishkeit with the study of Chassidus.
Eleven students participated in the program pilot – 6 women and 5 men – from nine universities around the country, including Barnard, Penn State, and Texas A&M.
The Scholar in Residence for the program was Rabbi Shais Taub, author of Map of Tanya and G-d of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction.
Other lecturers included Rabbi Shaul and Tzipah Wertheimer, Rabbi Shmuli and Chavie Lieberman, Shluchim to Hofstra University, who helped organize the program, Rabbi Yisrael and Vivi Deren, Shluchim to Stamford, CT., and Rabbi Yaakov Wagner, a magid shiur at Yeshiva Tiferes Bochurim in Morristown, NJ.
“There is a tremendous thirst for Chassidus amongst young religious students,” explained Rebbetzin Wertheimer. “We are providing these students with an exposure to Chassidus, many for the first time.”
“Winter Torah has allowed me to recharge my soul before returning to my secular college campus,” said Simone Fischer of Penn State. “I was able to challenge myself by delving into deep discussions with the talented educators and motivated students, and I feel inspired to continue this learning afterward. I am truly thankful that I was able to spend my break in such an uplifting environment.”
Sarah Shevchuk of Barnard added, “I am so grateful that the Chabad on Campus Winter Torah program has allowed me to immerse myself in the deepest, truest Torah learning, so close to home. By covering various topics and delving into their intrinsic lessons, I not only feel elevated during the learning, but I have something incredibly valuable to share with my family, and maybe more importantly, friends on campus.”
This four day intensive learning seminar began at 9:30 am daily with breakfast, and the day was packed with Torah study until 5 pm. Students arranged their own accommodation with friends and family.
According to Rebbetzin Wertheimer, this is just the beginning. “The program is inspired by the unique demographics at Queens College. However, we see that there is a real demand for Chassidus by affiliated university students all over the country. Many of these students are already studying Chassidus in their individual Chabad Houses on Campus, but this program is designed to take it to a broader level and make it a national initiative.”
Mrs. Chaya Schurder, Co-Director of Chabad on Campus International’s Lamdeni program, visited the program and remarked on the student reactions, “It was incredible to see Winter Torah take off. The students were interested and engaged and left invigorated in their Judaism, particularly in the area of in-depth Torah learning. I am looking forward to many more Shluchim and students taking part in this much needed and wonderful program in the future.”
