Bochurim Travel to Recruit

2 bochurim left for the U.S. last week as part of a new Mayanot Merkos Shluchim project aimed at raising awareness of the various programs offered by the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

Starting on the East coast, Benzion Plotkin and Levi New will travel for more than a month around the country, speaking to local shluchim and learning with students at various Chabad houses, both on campuses and within local communities.

“Hundreds of students have strengthened their connection to Judaism and have learnt the foundations of Yiddishkeit from their Chabad houses but may be excited at the prospect of learning Torah in a Yeshiva in Israel,” says Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner, Mayanot Dean.

“There is so much that Mayanot can offer an individual who is looking for an inspiring and rigorous Yeshiva experience where he can acquire lifelong skills and the ability to learn independently.”

So far the two Mayanot graduates have visited communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts and will be spending the weekend in Virginia.

“What I have found that this trip accomplishes is a sense of awareness,” says New.

“We have met many people who have a very strong interest in Yiddishkeit and in learning, but do not know where to go, or better yet, do not even know if there is a program which enables them to do so. We met with one person who said he would love to spend time in Yeshiva but was afraid he might feel like he was going back to high school. He had no idea that Mayanot offered programs for people of his age and maturity – late 20’s.”

With an increased enrolment capacity at the Yeshiva for the coming year, Mayanot hopes to attract more students to participate in its 2010 semester and short-term programs.

“Our objective is to bring awareness of our programs to potential Mayanot students in the United States by sending shluchim to share their Mayanot experiences, speak to students and to learn Torah with them,” says Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, Executive Director of Mayanot.

“We hope that by giving students a taste of what Mayanot has to offer they will follow suit and choose to come and study with us here in Jerusalem.”

If you are interested in meeting with Mayanot shluchim or hearing more about Mayanot, contact Bentzy Plotkin on 347-785-3239 or Levi New on 347-675-8699.