When can I learn with Drisha Kollel?

Drisha Kollel will meet for two sessions this summer: June 12-30, and July 3-21, 2023.

Students are welcome to join one or both sessions as their schedule allows.

Are there part-time options?

Each session will include intensive morning Gemara seder Monday through Friday, as well as afternoon seder Monday through Thursday.  Applicants who wish to join for only mornings or only afternoons are welcome.

Who is the Kollel for?

Drisha Kollel is for serious and aspiring students of Torah.  The Kollel is a text-based program that presumes some familiarity with Hebrew (more than just ability to sound out words).  Prior Talmud experience is not necessary.  Kollel is open to students of any denominational affiliation (or lack thereof).  The program itself is fully Shabbat and Kashrut observant.

What does the NYC Kollel day look like?

The Kollel day begins with Tefillah. After minyan we eat breakfast together, then proceed to morning seder.  

Morning Gemara seder is split into two or three levels, again depending on the student body each summer.  The Beginner level is suitable for students who have some experience working through Hebrew texts in the original, even if they have never studied Talmud.  Intermediate is for students with significant Talmud experience who need to hone their textual and conceptual abilities.  Advanced is geared toward students with significant yeshiva experience who are comfortable preparing gemara and rishonim on their own.

After Lunch, we pray minchah followed by afternoon seder.  The core of afternoon seder is mixed-level classes that approach topics related to our morning learning from an interdisciplinary perspective, including philosophy, Tanach, history, and more.  We generally offer a choice of two classes at a time, and afternoon class offerings switch part of the way through the session.  Afternoon seder caps off with a dedicated time for beikut study (learning for breadth as opposed to depth), either self-guided or in a shiur.  

Twice a week (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays) we stay together for night seder, where students have a chance to explore their own learning as well learn with special visitors.  

Interspersed throughout the program, we will have alumni and other guest speakers.

How does Tefillah at Kollel work?

Kollel students commit to praying shacharit and minchah (and arvit, on night seder days) together with the community, with the minyan that matches their commitments. Minyan offerings vary depending on students.  In the past students have had the option of praying with mechitzah and traditional egalitarian minyanim.

What is the service component of the Kollel?

We strive to build our community on the core principles of not only Torah and Avodah, but also Gemilut Hassadim.  We are working to partner with local organizations that can benefit from our volunteer hours.  Kollel fellows also historically have had the opportunity to hear from speakers who can contextualize our volunteer work and teach us about pressing human issues facing the New York community (in the past these speakers have focussed on homelessness).  

What will the Kollel be learning?

Stay tuned!

Where will the in-person Kollel take place?

The in-person Kollel will take place in New York City again this year.  Stay tuned for an update once we finalize the location!

Does the Kollel provide room and board?

The Kollel provides breakfast after shacharit, and dinner on night-seder days.  The Kollel does not provide housing.  We will do our best to help connect our students to subletting opportunities if requested.  Financial Aid applicants may be granted limited housing assistance.

How will Virtual Kollel work?

Virtual Kollel will run in parallel to in-person Kollel. Virtual students will have a dedicated morning seder and shiur. In the afternoon they will be invited to join one of the in-person Kollel classes whose format is more amenable to hybrid learning.  Virtual Kollel will include some community-building opportunities as well.  Like in-person Kollel, Virtual Kollel will also be available part time (only mornings or only afternoons) for those who cannot make the full-day commitment.  

What will the Covid policy be?

Proof of vaccination will be required.  Masking and other safety policies will be determined and announced as the summer draws nearer, taking into account applicable Federal, State, and local guidelines as well as the policy of our host institutions.