Partnerships with over 20 diverse Jewish organizations…

with JCRC

with Hillel UC

with Shomrei Olam

with Moishe House

with Adath Israel

with Bikur Cholim Cincinnati

with the JCC Film Festival

with the Jewish Federation

with ish

with JFS

with JCC Arts and Culture

You asked, we answered.

FAQs

 

What is a kollel?

At its core it is a makom Torah, a place dedicated to the study of Torah. The Kollel operates with the philosophy that, more than any other spiritual or physical asset, it is our Torah and the study of it that have kept our people alive throughout the millennia. It is the goal of our staff to share the beauty of Torah study throughout the Cincinnati Jewish community and, through that, to help each Jew draw closer to his or her Judaism.

We call the Torah Etz Chaim—a Tree of Life—and, like a tree, in order to bear fruit it must have roots deep within the earth. In order to share Torah, our staff must be deeply rooted in their own dynamic Torah study. Our staff scholars maintain two intensive daily study sessions, each three hours in length, where in a group format they probe, study, and analyze the Torah. In addition, in the early morning, over breakfast, during lunch hour, and every evening, our Staff Scholars can be found studying with and teaching Torah to people from every part of the Jewish community. This daily effort of studying and teaching is led by my co-director, Rabbi Meir Minster.

Our Mission Statement reads, “To enrich the Cincinnati Jewish community by creating an environment of Torah study and providing access to our spiritual heritage.” Anyone who has stepped into the Kollel’s Beis Midrash (study hall) understands how an environment dedicated to Torah study energizes Jews to pass on their heritage from generation to generation. But to provide education to the members of a community, you must also meet them “where they are.” The Kollel’s robust outreach team does just that, providing a variety of off-site learning opportunities, many of them in collaboration with local organizations and agencies.

 

What’s the difference between the kollel and other institutions which help people feel good about being Jewish?

At the Kollel we cherish, study and share Torah. The Kollel operates with the philosophy that, more than any other spiritual or physical asset, it is our Torah and the study of it that have kept our people alive throughout the millennia. It is the goal of our staff to share the beauty of Torah study throughout the Cincinnati Jewish community and, through that, to help each Jew draw closer to his or her Judaism.

 

Do I have to be Orthodox to attend Kollel programming?

Absolutely not! One of the former JCC Directors actually once asked Rabbi Preis, “Do you do anything for the Orthodox community?” He had so many non-Orthodox peers sharing testimonials of their appreciation for Kollel classes and programs he wasn’t sure we were providing anything for the Orthodox. We do! But there are many Kollel classes and programs where the Orthodox are greatly outnumbered by non Orthodox and non-affiliated.  

 

Will I feel out of place if I can’t read Hebrew?

You’ll be in good company. Many of our classes utilize English text. And, by the way, we’d be happy to match you up with a mentor to learn how to read in only 6-8 weeks.

 

Is Kollel a place… or an organization… or a group of people?

All of the above!  

The Kollel as a “team” refers to a group of ???? young scholars who dedicate their time and energies to learning and teaching Torah.The scholars were selected from some of the world’s best yeshivot [rabbinical schools] and each had developed a reputation for diligence, erudition, and ???

Together with their families, they moved to Cincinnati with hopes of further advancing their own knowledge and skills while sharing their knowledge and passion for Judaism with the Cincinnati Jewish community 

Kollel as a ‘place’ would refer to our Batei Midrash [study halls] at the border of Golf Manor and Amberley. Those buildings are home to Torah study from 5:45 AM until 10:30 PM on a daily basis.

Kollel as an institution goes far beyond the walls of the Kollel buildings and includes a team of outreach professionals who organize and provide classes, one-on-one learning, and larger social/education programming throughout the greater Cincinnati region. Venues include everything from the ‘ish Garage’ in Northside to the AEPi house at Miami University, the Mayerson JCC to Scene 75, and from a variety of local parks to the unbounded world of virtual learning.