Volume 67, Issue 3

MSDCS: Bringing the Flavor of Yeshiva to North America

by Jeremy Mazurek

With the arrival of Cheshvan, this year’s exhaustive, yet uplifting holiday season comes to an end.  From the Yamim Noraim through Sukkos, we have been davening, eating, rejoicing, and eating some more.  But the conclusion of this holiday marathon also marks the successful launch and return of the largest Simchas Torah Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours to date.  The Torah Tours program, sponsored by the Schreiber Foundation, is run by the Max Stern Division of Communal Services, under the guidance of Rabbi Ari Rockoff, Coordinator of Youth and Outreach Services.  Over the past several years, MSDCS has become an increasingly vital institution not only on this campus but for Jews across North America as well.

MSDCS, part of Yeshiva’s affiliate, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, is the channel through which the ideals and philosophy of Yeshiva are shared with Jews throughout the entire country.  MSDCS is responsible for the placement of rabbis, youth directors, educators, principals, and outreach programs in different communities and in college campuses from coast to coast.

Founded over fifty years ago, MSDCS has focused on the education and training of community leaders – from Rabbis to laymen – ensuring that Jews avail themselves of shiurim and classes on a broad range of topics. Simply put, MSDCS strives to make Torah values the focus of Jewish life.  Through its many outreach programs, MSDCS has brought Yiddishkeit to Jews of all walks of life, reacquainting them with their heritage.

MSDCS consists of three departments, all under the leadership of Rabbi David Israel.  Each department has distinct functions and objectives, yet they often collaborate and overlap on specific programs.  The Education Department assists yeshivas nationwide with curriculum development and other educational services, under the Association of Modern Orthodox Day Schools and Yeshiva High Schools. The Rabbinic Department guides and aides RIETS graduates in finding rabbinical posts and opportunities, and also trains them for the pulpit through various educational programs.  The Department for Youth and Outreach Services has been at the forefront of the kiruv movement, bringing Torah and Judaism to young and old through various programs and conferences run throughout the year.

The Programs

MSDCS runs a multitude of programs, each geared to target specific audiences within the American Jewish community.  Last year, a program was instituted to train aspiring administrators; it provided a select group of Jewish studies educators with special seminars and mentorship interaction with school administrators.  Recently, a Youth Director training session informed aspiring youth directors and leaders about the different aspects of the job – positive and negative – in an effort to prepare them for certain experiences they may encounter.  Last year also marked the inception of Chodesh Avodat Hakodesh, a program intended to encourage Yeshiva students to seriously consider a career in Jewish education and outreach.

MSDCS, through the Department of Youth and Outreach Services, oversees various programs designed to network college and high school students from all over the country and all walks of life.  The Panim College Outreach Program, in collaboration with Hillel and other organizations active on college campuses, seeks to revitalize Jewish identity and activism in the collegiate community.  An array of special Shabbos Programs, Holiday Programs, and Half-Day Seminars bring Jewish students together to interact and discuss important issues affecting the Jewish community.

The Eimatai Yeshiva High School Leadership Project, originally the creation of Yeshiva College students, was undertaken by MSDCS two years ago, helping it flourish into a national network of almost 70 young leaders from schools nationwide.  This year’s leadership conference will take place on Oct. 30- Nov. 3 at the Hexter Vacation Center.

During the summer, MSDCS runs the Yeshiva Summer Torah Seminars, bringing Torah learning, under the guidance of some of RIETS most talented Rabbanim, to various communities around the country.  This past summer, Kollelim were setup in places including Los Angeles, Ca., Great Neck, N.Y., Boca Raton, Fl., and Omaha, Nb., for as long as 2 weeks to a month.

The Counterpoint program, one of the oldest MSDCS programs dating back to 1975, has impacted literally thousands of Jews.  Counterpoint is responsible for bringing Yeshiva students to Melbourne, Australia to run seminars for, and interact with yeshiva high school students.

Last but not least, the most well-known program to Yeshiva and Stern College students is the Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours.  Three times a year, almost 400 student volunteers travel to over 70 different communities across the nation, where they help enliven and enrich the spirit of Yom Tov.

Torah Tours 2002: From Sea to Shining Sea

Once again, the yellow school bus was hitched attracting passengers to come along for the ride. And they did.  Volunteers came out more than ever to bring the ruach of Yom Tov to Jews in 56 communities all across America, as part of the Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours, now in its 25th year.  The program which has tripled in size in the past 3 years, attracted over 350 volunteers – students from Yeshiva and Stern College – to enrich the lives of thousands of Jews.  The program, designed to bring the energy of young adults to enliven Simchas Torah for so many, targets communities both large and small, affiliated and marginally affiliated, “from California to the New York Island.”

Rabbi Ari Rockoff, Coordinator of MSDCS Youth and Outreach Services Department, explained the importance of Torah Tours.  “Torah Tours is an extremely important experience for any student in Yeshiva.  It gives them the opportunity to meet, and connect with Jews from different parts of the country, and share with them their knowledge and love for Judaism.”  Rockoff noted that this year’s long week of Chol Hamoed, “allowed students to go to their assigned communities a few days early, and meet with children at their schools.  It made a bigger impression on the kids and the community as a whole.”

Torah Tours is an all inclusive program; a short, simple application is the only requirement.  The program’s direct costs are covered by the Schreiber Foundation, while transportation expenses and housing is provided by the host community.  While the volunteers gain a tremendous amount by participating, and even receive tremendous appreciation from the community, Rockoff said that the true feelings of gratitude are beyond what any participant can imagine.  “The greatest feeling is when Torah Tours is over, and I begin to receive the faxes, emails, and letters from the Rabbis of the various communities.  Some have even personally come to my office and have cried tears of appreciation for what the participants accomplished.”

Rabbi Jonathan Gross of the Union- Hill Congregation, an elderly congregation in Manalapan, New Jersey, described the scene in his shul this past Simchas Torah.  “As the floor trembled from the dancing of young and old together … Jews from all backgrounds celebrated the festival together.  The much needed injection of Torah and spirit will remain with our shul for a long time to come.  We look forward to future programs.”

Itzhak Barnoon, of Congregation Rodphey Sholom based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, expressed similar sentiments.  “The tour YU is providing has truly helped us immensely.  Being the small size we are, and mostly elderly community, [volunteers’ names] brought with them the proper Yiddishkeit and lots of ruach.  Standing before Hashem leading the congregation… Can anyone ask for a greater joy?”

With the addition of many new communities to this year’s itinerary, including Nashville, TN, Minneapolis, MN, and New Orleans, LA (at which volunteers had to brave two hurricanes over yom tov), Rockoff expressed extreme satisfaction with Torah Tours 2002.  “This year was the largest group of communities and volunteers.  In the future I hope to see both these numbers continue to grow.”  In fact, Rockoff explained the importance of the same groups returning to the same communities year after year.  “There is nothing like renewing the kesher made with a community form year to year.  It is a great feeling to go back to a community and feel comfortable and at home.”

Aharon Leibtag, aYC sophomore and Torah Tours participant in Stamford, CN, espoused a similar viewpoint.  “While in Stamford, we met kids who go and dorm at MTA.  From the kesher we made, we intend to learn together throughout the year.  This bond formed over Simchas Torah is extremely important for us and for the Jews of Stamford, and I hope to return there next year to strengthen that bond.”

Ben Pomper, also a YC sophomore and first year Torah Tourist, noted, “the impact that Torah Tours has on the community, is indescribable.  The teenagers of the community look up to us as role models, many hoping to one day join the program as well.”

Kenny Berg, a YC senior and one of the program’s student coordinators, stressed the “phenomenal success” that Torah Tours was this year.  “A crew of eight guys and girls came to Syracuse with me this past Simchas Torah.  Many in the community said it was the best hakafos in years.  Everybody had such a great time, and gained so much from the experience.  All the guys said they want to return to Syracuse throughout the year.”

Through numerous projects and programs, MSDCS is at the forefront of Jewish education and outreach.  Providing Jews, young and old, from all different backgrounds, with the resources and knowledge of our heritage, will ensure a bright future for our nation.  Although our numbers in this country are falling, as indicated by a recent census, the work of MSDCS has, and will continue to impact Jews from all corners of this continent helping them stay true to our people’s roots, traditions and values.

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