Our learning style

Our innovative learning method is focused on making the learning more involving.
It's Bais Medrash style.

The action is centered around the concepts that are being studied, where all those involved, including the teacher, actually sit together in a group or in chavrusas and study, research, debate and discover at tables full of open sforim, checking sources, comparing opinions. Following this, there is a shiur given either by the teacher, or presented by the students, depending on the subject. It's about enjoying the beauty of just sitting and learning.

Chavrusa is the basis for the classes so that after halacha chavrusa you have a shiyur on the halochos learned. The same goes for Chassidus and for the Rashi Sicha, where the mar'eh mekomos are learned as well beforehand and each student presents an ois at the beginning of the shiur.

The following are examples of how each subject might be explored:

Halacha - (sample)

Mashiv HaRuach UMorid HaGeshem : The Gemara discusses the inyon of when we begin saying the tefilla.

The sources to study in Chavrusah are:

• Talmud Bavli : Masseches Taanis daf 2, amudim 1,2,3
• Meforshim: Rashi, Chidushei HaRitvoh, Rosh, Tur Orach Chaim,

Bais Yossef

• Shulchan Oruch Orach Chaim with the explanations of the Mogen Avrohom.
• Shulchon Oruch HoRav as a conclusion of the inyon where all of the Gemorohs and Meforshim are quoted in the simonim and cited on the margins.

Chassidus

In Elul, we began the Maamor “Yom Tov shel Rosh HaShonoh” from the Alter Rebbe followed by that from the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe. For each Yom Tov, Maamorim from different Rebbeim are learned regarding that Yom Tov..

After Pessach we began learning a few maamorim of the Rebbe Rashab from the Hemshech Besha'a Shehikdimu - ayin bais in depth. 

Daily Shiurim:

The expression is to “say Chitas” but the truth is that Chitas should be learned.

Chumash and Rashi bechevrusa is studied every morning. The following projects are done to get a better understanding of the detail: building a model Mishkon, preparing the many types of Korbonos Minchoh, presenting graphically: the full year of the mabul, the aliyos and yeridos of Moshe on Har Sinai, etc.

Tanya is learned as a daily shiur, including Shabbosim, Yomim Tovim and Sundays. In this way, the entire Tanya is learned throughout the year as well as the summer shiurim which will be learned before school ends. This is very gratifying, being that completing the entire sefer in one school year is rarely a part of a seminary curriculum.

Hayom Yom is presented daily by a student.

Sefer HaMitzvos: when the shiur is the same for a number of days, the mitzvos are learned in greater detail as halochos from Mishneh Torah.

Toldos Chabad:

This is an individual project whereby each student researches one of the Rebbeim and documents and graphs the information according to a guideline. Attached, you will find a sample of the Overview of Chassidus that is used in this project.

Jewish History

This is a chance to review everything you have learned. As for the Tekufos that you haven't yet learned you will be able to fill in the gaps. An Historical Atlas is used, where each student locates and charts the Jewish centers throughout the generations, from Adam until today. The source material varies from Midroshim to Zohar to Sichos and Meforshim throughout the Geonim, Rishonim, Acharonim, etc. The level of depth in which each era is researched is up to the student.

Chumash 

Chumash is learned by selected inyonim from the Parshoh where many meforshim are studied and analyzed in order to understand different aspects of an inyon.

Bekius class is actually a file full of cards that allow you to organize your knowledge of Chamishah Chumshei Torah.

Some examples are:

-Cite all of the mizbechos that were made, by whom and on which occasion.

-Cite all of the brisim made between Hashem / people, people/people, etc.

- Draw all of the measuring instruments used and for what purpose.

Included in our curriculum, and considered important, are Inyonei Moshiach UGeulah, farbrengens on Yomo dePagroh , shlichus activities such as event programming, classes, hospital visitation, etc.

As per the students' request we have added a class on Kuntres UMaayon as a weekly Shabbos Shiur.

Courses:

Digital design is offered at the university exclusively for our sem : CorelDraw, Photoshop and Dreamweaver for web design.

Art course is held once a week for three hours at an atelier where you learn techniques on wood and plaster as well as painting on canvas.

Gym class is twice a week at sem.

Portuguese at the university helps the girls get around by themselves.

Accomodations:

The seminary is housed in a spacious home in an elegant neighborhood. We offer a well-stocked kitchen which is open 24/7 and fresh, nutritious meals are prepared daily. There is a washing machine on premises. Every student is automatically enrolled in a health insurance plan which covers all medical and dental consultations as well as most examinations.

To add excitement, we go on trips in the city, to the beaches in off-season and to the mountains. We also travel to neighboring cities to farbreng with the local shluchim, tour and have a great time.

For further questions, contact us.

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