The Jewish Home n
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Cover Story
T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012
d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013
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Machon Basya Rochel “A
seminary close to home that every girl can call home” is the motto for Machon Basya Rochel Seminary situated conveniently in the heart of the community at 137 Lawrence Avenue across from the Lawrence Train Station. This beautiful “home” is a warm and welcoming place for each student to develop herself. This local makom Torah is for the girl who is aspires to continue growing in her limudei kodesh studies as she leaves high school and sets out to find her specific role as a Bas Yisroel. Machon Basya Rochel holds a traditional half/full day seminary program for girls right out of high school, a Shana Bet program for girls who have been through a year of seminary, and an Adult Education Center for women of all ages. Machon Basya Rochel Seminary, dedicated in the memory of Mrs. Rose Edelman, is under the direction of the community’s beloved Rebbitzen Aviva Feiner and staffed by dynamic and dedicated mechanchos and rabbeim. Currently undergoing a successful fourth year, the seminary is now accepting applications for the upcoming fifth year.
Guided by Menaheles Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner and Mechaneches Mrs. Debra Green, Machon Baya Rochel’s tremendous growth in these short four years is attributed to the staff’s focus on each girl as an individual while developing each student’s own unique qualities with love and warmth. Rebbitzen Feiner put it so eloquently, saying, “Chazal teach us that inasmuch as faces are different, mindsets are also different. Our goal at Machon Basya Rochel is to empower each girl to realize her unique kochos as a Bas Yisroel and to develop into a young woman who is proud of her position in Klal Yisroel.” The staff at Machon Basya Rochel mirrors these same chinuch mindset as described by Rebbitzen Feiner. The staff inspires their students with their shiurim, and moreover, just by being who they are. “It is fortunate for us that some of our most talented rabbeim and moros that live in the area. Each one can present our students with their own lives as models, a perspective on being unique ovdei Hashem. Their dynamism combined with their extensive Torah knowledge keeps our students captivated!” says Mrs. Debra Green, Mechaneches In addition to Rebbitzen Feiner and Mrs. Green, faculty members include Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Rabbi Zalman Mindell, Rabbi Aaron Rapps, Mrs. Shoshana Jaeger, Mrs. Deborah Muskat,
Mrs. Ettie Lapp, Mrs. Faigy Goldman, Mrs. Yocheved Shonek, and Mrs. Chani Sprung. Alternating speakers are Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rebbitzen Tehila Jaeger, Rebbeitzin Bryna Bender, and Rebbitzen Shlomtzei Weitz. The girls coming out of high school have a full morning schedule with an option to take afternoon classes as well. Classes are scheduled from Monday through Thursday, from 9:15 a.m., to 12:30 p.m. Morning classes include Nach, Hashkafa, and Halacha. There is a daily 15 break for girls to spend time bonding in the fully stocked breakroom. Afternoon sessions are from 1:00 p.m.- 2:50 p.m. Afternoon classes primarily focus on Hashkafa. Girls in the second year program are offered the option of attending four mornings a week, two mornings a week, or by course. In addition, Monday night courses for Shana Bet have been offered this year. Machon Basya Rochel is dedicated to the success of each student as whole, providing each with transcript upon graduation. Transcripts are accepted in Touro College and City University of New York (CUNY), as well as other universities. Students may finish their bachelor’s degree while in the seminary by participating in the Testing Training International (TTI) Program from the Young Israel Educational Program (YIEP). Machon Basya Rochel’s program just begins in the classroom, as extracurricular activities are also instituted regularly. Some of these activities include Shabatonim, two in the neighborhood and one in New Square. In addition, Rosh Chodesh events to correspond to each month’s message, noted inspirational and motivated speakers, Chanuka and Purim chagigas to name a few of the special ways the girls can bond outside of the classroom . Students are also presented workshops throughout the year that focus on the development of the seminary-age girl. The girls have the opportunity to learn from and enjoy workshops on topics such as technology, dating advice through the wisdom of Shalom Task Force, and building self-esteem. And the growth does not stop with the seminary students as Machon Basya Rochel initiated a new adult education program to reach out to all women of the community. This program, Yemei Iyun, consists of topics regarding the upcoming yomim tovim or other relevant subjects. There is an array of classes being taught on Wednesday mornings presenting Mrs. Debbie Greenblatt, who is teaching Ohel Rochel; Mrs. Vivienne
Frank, continuing her course on Malachim; and Rebbitzen Feiner, who is teaching Birkas HaMazon. Also, Mrs. Yocheved Shonek, noted lecturer, kallah teacher, and seminary faculty member, is giving a new parenting workshop on Tuesday mornings. In conjunction with the Tiferes Program, a division of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, the seminary hosts a DVD presentation of noted and inspirational speakers on a variety of topics for women monthly. Some of the speakers have included Rabbi Chaim Shapiro, Rabbi Zev Leff, Rabbi Tuvia Lieff, Rabbi Y.Y. Rubenstein, and Mrs. Shifra Rabenstein. These programs are open to women of the community. The inspiration and growth that takes place at Machon Basya Rochel is nothing less than extraordinary. “A seminary close to home that every girl can call home” is the motto for a reason. It is a place open to be a conduit for a women’s growth as a Bas Yisrael way past leaving the walls of the beautiful building as a seminary student. This is the place for the girl yearning to grow who is not planning to be in Israel for her seminary year. Machon Basya Rochel has grown into a
seminary with students from all over, from local homes, to Monsey and Lakewood, and even to Dallas and Toronto. For your convenience, there is an option of free transportation to and from Brooklyn. Those who join in the seminary’s early bird registration by March 1st will receive a tuition discount. A special open house in the area will take place in Far Rockaway on Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00 - 9:30 p.m., at the home of Mrs. Mousha Kaplan, 1200 Beach 9th Street. For further information about the seminary or about enrollment, please call 516-362-5000, or e-mail info@mbrseminary.org.