Over the course of the next month, The Max Stern Division of Communal Services will be running "Chodesh Avodat HaKodesh", a program dedicated to exploring career opportunities in Jewish communal service and saluting those presently serving Klal Yisrael.

The primary purpose of these activities, according to Coordinator of Rabbinic Services Rabbi Marc Penner, is "to encourage people to go into Avodat HaKodesh, and to allow Yeshiva students to contribute to the wider community." More specifically, he explained, the next month will be dedicated to conveying to those Yeshiva students interested in entering the rabbinate and similar positions that such a career choice is a real option for them to consider.

Rabbi David Israel, Director of MSDCS, defined the goals of the next month as being analogous to the goals of MSDCS in general. "In short," commented Rabbi Israel, "we aim at bringing Yeshiva to the community." Among the many tasks undertaken by MSDCS, spurring Rabbinic placement, inculcating Jewish day schools with a Torah, Madah, Umidinah ideology, and fostering youth outreach programs rank as the top priorities.

Aside from encouraging and training their students to be good rebbeim and teachers, MSDCS oversees general religious oriented activities for the many professionals across the nation. "Doctors going to a shiur, and lawyers learning during lunch, are just few of the many programs which MSDCS arranges to ensure that Torah will exist even in the secular world, remarked Rabbi Israel."

It was not coincidental that MSDCS slated this month as the specific time frame for their campaign for Jewish communal work. "Why now?" asked Rabbi Penner. "All we have to do is analyze the Megilla to answer that one." It is well known that the name of G-d appears nowhere in the Megilla. The key role was played by Esther, the queen. Although she did not realize that she possessed the potential to save the Jewish people, indeed, Esther eventually understands that she must attempt this endeavor.

"So the story of Purim teaches us," concluded Rabbi Penner, "that individuals can accomplish so much, despite not realizing that they have the potential in them." This is exactly the message that MSDCS hopes to convey to current Yeshiva students, ultimately convincing them that they certainly have the skills and values with which they should pursue this line of work.

Beginning on February 20th, and continuing through March 13th, eight lectures and activities are scheduled to occur. Various rabbanim are scheduled to speak throughout the month, including such big name speakers as Yeshiva President Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, RIETS Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Stephen Knapp, and Rabbi Penner. For the first time, Yeshiva's Office of Career Placement and Opportunities will participate in conjunction with MSDCS during their annual career fair in Belfer Hall on March 12th.

The heads of this event want students to realize that the Jewish community is in serious need of dedicated young men and women with a strong sense of values and commitment to Torah U'madda to lead the upcoming generations. Rabbi Penner admitted that "while 30 years ago, going into chinuch was not really an option for most, now it certainly should be." Even if students are not certain that they wish to pursue this line of work, this month is still for them. It is merely a chance to investigate and encounter real life opportunities."

There are a multitude of fields that are in desperate need of well trained Yeshiva students, according to Rabbi Israel, including "day school teachers, principals, Jewish organizational posts, outreach programs, chaplains, and, of course, pulpit positions."

Rabbi Penner concedes that this profession is not for all people, nor do they desire all to pursue it -- which is precisely the reason that they have finally decided to run an event so publicly oriented as this one. In essence, the next month should serve as the tool to allow for young people in the Yeshiva community to envision themselves and their lives in these fields. "To sum up, enthusiastically remarked Rabbi Penner, our sole purpose at this point is to make "shiduchim" between Yeshiva guys and jobs." MSDCS will provide the training and eventual placement for all of the wonderful young men and women who decide that they will pursue this honorable profession.