AISH Center

Coming to UJL: Pop Chassid’s Elad Nehorai

Esther — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:44:13 +0000

Pop Chassid’s Elad Nehorai with his daughter

Last night marked the 3rd week of the University of Jewish Learning – our new Monday night program. It’s been really wonderful so far – new faces, a room full of people participating in One-on-One learning, people shmoozing and eating delicious food, really great classes and workshops which have been getting such great responses. Between the two class slots, we had a real treat – live jazz, and it added such a lovely dimension to the evening. This particular slot is one of the funnest parts of UJL, please each week, it’s totally different. This coming week, we’ve invited Elad Nehorai – the writer behind Pop Chassid, to come and speak. I caught up with Elad to find out a bit more about him, his excellent blog and his plans for the future.

Hi Elad! How are you?
Thank G-d, I’m good!

You’re the dude behind Pop Chassid, a pretty compelling blog. How did the blog come about?
Funny you should ask. The idea actually started when my wife and I were on a layover on a flight from Israel and we watched Mary Poppins. I spent the whole time talking about all these Jewish ideas the movie reminded me about, and all of a sudden I had this idea to do a blog analyzing movies from a Jewish perspective. Funny thing was that the more I wrote the blog, the more I eventually veered away from writing about movies. I guess it was worth it to get the ball rolling on my writing in the public sphere.

The title of the blog is pretty catchy, and does seem pretty self-explanatory. Is Pop Chassid also a persona of yours? Does it express an idea about a way of living or being?
You know, it’s funny. Again, it started off as just a way to describe my idea of combining movies and Judaism. But interestingly, as the blog evolved, it did kind of take on its own meaning. I suppose now it means something like… I try to be a chassid but I also relate to the mainstream. I dunno. I guess the truth is that I let my readers make those decisions.

Your style of writing stands out in the sea of Jewish bloggers. Is this something you’re very mindful of?
You know, I don’t really set out to be different. My goal is to be honest, and if that makes my writing stand out, great.

Pop Chassid also has a Facebook group, and your posts generate a lot of dialogue. Do you feel a Pop Chassid community emerging? If so, is it one that could translate to real life community?
There are already communities that reflect that sort of thing. Because of all the baal teshuvas (those who’ve embraced Jewish observance in their adult years) making their way into the religious community, and the religious community becoming increasingly open to a creative culture in their ranks, I’ve seen more and more official (and not so official) “Pop Chassid”-type communities popping up.

And what are your thoughts about creating change within Jewish communities via blogging/social media platforms?
I talk about change a lot on my blog. I think change is a tricky thing. Lots of bloggers, writers, artists, whatever, like to think that they can create change just by having a big audience. I don’t think that’s how it works. I think real change happens by changing people from the inside. Turning their guts inside out and making them look at the world from a different angle. And that happens slowly, like the drop of water Rabbi Akiva saw transform a rock. That’s the only way change really happens. I’d like to create change. I’d like to transform the way people look at things… but I’m not interested in a revolution or in changing the outside world. I want to change people.

How does your readership affect how you write and what you write about?
You know, when I first started writing for places like Chabad.org, and even when Pop Chassid originally started, I tried to keep the audience out of my mind. I thought that it would affect my integrity or something. But I think the real reason Pop Chassid started to succeed was because I realize that a blog, at the end of the day, is a community. It’s not a magazine or a diary or anything else. It’s a place where the community is just as much a part of the blog as the writer. Maybe even more so.

On a practical level, that means that my audience has started to really affect the way I write. I try to listen to what engages them, what moves them. And I try to use it. I heard that Phish plays music by responding to their audience. I try to employ that idea in my blogging.

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment? We’d love to hear about some of your plans for the future!
Hmm. Lots of things, actually! I’m working on a memoir that’s taking me way too long to finish. I’m writing a book proposal for another idea I have. I’m also working full time at a start-up whose goal will be to help charities reach their fundraising goals. Lots of fun things happening, thank G-d.

Any thoughts about blogging and commerce? Can you make a living from blogging, and if so, can you retain your own voice while employing advertising?
Oy. Honestly, I am the worst with money. I just wish I could write and write and money would flow into my pocket, but I guess it doesn’t work that way. I just put ads up on my site for the first time a few weeks ago, but besides that I have no idea how to make money from blogging. Maybe I’ll know one day.

My advice to people looking to make money from blogging: do it because you love it, not because of money. There are a lot smarter ways to make money than by writing or blogging. If it makes you money somehow, awesome.

What can we look forward to hearing you speak about when you come to UJL?
I’m gonna try to give over my idea of living a life with a mission. I want to shake people up and get them thinking about why exactly they were put on this earth. I hope it helps!

Come here Elad speak at UJL on Monday May 20 at 7.45 – 8.15pm. The University of Jewish Learning is a weekly project of the Aish Center, featuring food, entertainment, and a whole range of learning opportunities, including One-on-One mentoring and learning, for a suggested donation of $10. Read more about the UJL schedule here and if you’ve got any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us at center@aish.com.

Meeting Yosef Abramowitz: A (Renewable) Light Unto The Nations

Esther — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:06:03 +0000

Yosef shows a young friend of the Aish Center how solar energy works.

“The purpose of the Jewish people, and, by extension, of the Jewish state,” says Yosef Abramowitz, “is to be an on-going, distinctive catalyst for the advancement and evolution of morality in civilization. And a catalyst needs to show leadership by example, even a small one.”

These are big words, with implications of even bigger ambitions. But coming from Abramowitz – CEO, activist, solar energy pioneer, 3-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, educator, father, husband, and proud Jew – you can begin to understand how one might begin to embody the very crux of this idea.

Last Wednesday night, with the help of Aish Center supporter Seth Horowitz, we held a cocktail party to honor Yosef, and got to hear, first-hand, about the amazing and meaningful work he does. Based with his family on a kibbutz in Israel, Yosef is the founder and CEO of Energiya Global, a company that strives to help developing nations run on safe, clean and renewable energy.

We all know that fossil fuels are harmful, but in many developing countries, they also come hand-in-hand with companies who are corrupt, and unethical. Conducting business safely and ethically, in addition to doing what’s environmentally sustainable, is extremely important to Abramowitz.

Yosef Abramowitz with Aish Center director, Rabbi Adam Jacobs.

He mentioned a project involving a youth village, populated by orphans left after the Rwandan Genocide, and how creating a solar field next to the village wouldn’t just power the village, but it would also create revenue that would help support that village. All of this while wearing a kippah – because he believes that helping people, no matter who or where they are, is a uniquely Jewish responsibility.

Because, isn’t it? Judaism is full of practices and ideas that have a common subtext – be better. Rules and obligations aren’t something that we should feel burdened by. Rather, the idea underlying them is that no matter where we are, or what we’re doing, we can always aim higher. Yosef mentioned the Mishnaic adage – “you’re not obligated to finish the task, but you’re also not permitted to free yourself from it“. All the work Yosef has under his belt, and very humbly so – solar energy activism, Jewish education, fighting for the release of imprisoned members of Soviet Jewry, starting his company – points to a steadfast commitment to his own idea of being an on-going and distinctive force of good.

Wednesday night’s event was inspiring, and his message was clear. When you stumble upon an opportunity to be an agent of positive change, it’s your responsibility to give it a shot. Don’t feel daunted by tasks and challenges; rather, see them as something to aspire to. Thanks for joining us, Yosef, and we wish you complete success in all of your endeavors! You are a true inspiration.

Check out our photos from the event here, and a happy Shavuot to everybody!

Noaj Sauer Gallery Show

Tina — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:25:17 +0000

Join us on Monday, May 20 for the opening of Buenos Aires artist Noaj Sauer’s show at the Aish Center gallery. Five Months in New York is a collection of paintings of modern Jewish art inspired by the city of Manhattan. The opening will run as part of our regular Monday University of Jewish Learning (UJL) programming! Enjoy beautiful and inspiring art, drinks, and food between a great assortment of classes.

Click Here for the full UJL program

Coming to UJL: Commentary Magazine’s Bethany Mandel

Esther — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:13:11 +0000

This past Monday saw the launch of the University of Jewish Learning – our newest weekly event here at the Aish Center!

UJL runs from 7-9pm, features an array of classes to choose from, opportunities to learn any topic you’d like in a one-on-one learning setting, personal mentoring, delicious food, and a lounge where you can hang out and shmooze with fellow UJL-niks. The launch was great – the entire center was buzzing with old and new faces, going from class to class, enjoying beers and burgers and the company of each other. Between classes, we heard from Craig Dershowitz – founder of Artists 4 Israel – one of the most creative and compelling pro-Israel activist groups around.

This Monday will be UJL Week #2 and our guest speaker will be Bethany Mandel. Bethany is a pretty impressive lady; the social media editor of Commentary Magazine, political blogger, fundraiser, activist, world traveler and proud NYC-based Orthodox Jew. I checked in with Bethany to find out a little bit more about what she does!

Bethany Mandel

Hey Bethany! You’re pretty active on Twitter. Do you have a favorite/most exciting/cool and famous follower?
I have a lot of really cool followers and I’ve made an incredible amount of friends on the medium. It’s even landed me my last two jobs, at The Heritage Foundation and here at Commentary. My coolest follower (with whom I’ve never interacted) is SNL’s Seth Myers. I almost accidentally tweet him whenever I mention my husband Seth, which I’m anticipating will happen at some point. I watch Weekend Update somewhat fearfully since he started following me last year, afraid something stupid I’ve said will end up on national TV.

What led you to Commentary? Was that an obvious platform for you to gravitate towards?

Luck mostly. They were looking for a social media person and my editor, John Podhoretz, happened to follow me on Twitter and asked if I knew anyone who might be good for the job. I suggested myself, naturally. They were looking for someone with an active following who was also conservative and had a familiarity with Jewish issues. There’s not too many of us out there. I’ve been really blessed to work with our editors and writers. It’s quite humbling.

In your words, what makes Commentary stand out from other online publications?

My in-laws are all now subscribers to the magazine and it’s funny to see what they’re all interested in, everyone turns to a different section. My mother-in-law and sister-in-laws like the culture stuff, my father-in-law and brother-in-laws love the political, and everyone enjoys the monthly joke and the book reviews. Online we’re one of the only serious publications that tackles political and foreign policy from a conservative perspective. We’re not out for traffic and buzz, we’re interested in providing insightful and original looks at what’s going on in the world. We have some pretty incredible voices on the blog in addition to Jonathan Tobin and Seth Mandel (my husband). It’s also a great place to get a slice of Jewish-oriented news, we do a lot of work on Israel and Jewish issues.

As a journalist who’s also vocal about religion and politics – both issues that get pretty personal – how do you draw the line between public and private sectors of your life?

It’s not easy, when I worked in just politics it was easier to have opinions about religious issues without being afraid of offending people and when I worked totally outside the public sphere I could tweet about anything I wanted. Now that I’m a bit more public, I usually tweet things that are related to either Judaism or politics most of the time, with personal jokes and observations sprinkled in. I work at a conservative publication that is opinion-based, so thankfully I am free to be as opinionated as I want. I like to think that I express those opinions with some tact and respect for both my friends and my foes.

And finally, can you tell us about something exciting that you’re working on or are involved with currently?

I’m currently in the process of producing a new human being, I’m about 5 months pregnant with our first child. I haven’t talked about that yet on social media, trying to learn how to restrain my tendency to over-share now that my oversharing could impact a new person. My husband is a very private person and I’m trying to keep in my that our child might be one as well, so I want to respect that until he or she is old enough to voice if they’re okay with my tweeting cute stories or pictures. That has to be the most interesting and exciting thing in my life at the moment, anything else pales in comparison.

That’s wonderful news! Thanks for your time, Bethany. We wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing you at UJL!

Come here Bethany speak this Monday night (May 6th) at UJL. She’ll be speaking about fundraising for North Korean refugees, among other topics. Our first set of classes run from 7-7.45, Bethany speakers from 7.45-8.15, and our second set of classes run from 8.15-9m! We’ll also be serving beer and a delicious Middle Eastern buffet. Suggest donation for the evening is $10. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Body + Soul Shabbat Retreat

Tina — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:17:25 +0000

Join us as we partner with J-Inspire for a refreshing and inspiring weekend retreat where you’ll have the chance to hear top international lecturers on various interesting topics and get the opportunity to experience a world famous Discovery Seminar.

WHEN: MAY 31-JUNE2
WHERE: Hotel Somerset Bridgewater, Somerset, New Jersey
COST PER PERSON: (along with their discount codes)*
Single occupancy – $375.00 (enter code ksr050single at checkout)
Double occupancy – $199.00 (enter code ksr050double at checkout)
Triple occupancy – $190.00 (enter code ksr030triple at checkout)
Quadruple occupancy – $185.00 (enter code ksr015quad at checkout)
*If you are signing up for more than one person in the same room, you only need to apply the code once and it will apply the discount for each of you

Click Here To Register via JInspire
contact us at 212.579.1388 or center@aish.com with any questions

Body and Soul Retreat Will Include:
INTRIGUING TOPICS
Greater Relationships
Maximize Your Potential
True Happiness
Getting Your Prayers Answered
5 Levels of Pleasure
Parenting Workshop
WORLD FAMOUS DISCOVERY SEMINAR
The Science of Belief
LAVISH GOURMET KOSHER MEALS
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT BBQ
SATURDAY NIGHT WOMEN’S ZUMBA
24 HR. FITNESS CENTER / INDOOR & OUTDOOR POOL

Featured Top International Lecturers:
KIVI BERNHARD
Noted author of Leopardology™ – The Hunt For Profit In A Tough Global Economy.
“RAV GAV” FRIEDMAN
Lecturer and International speaker based in Aish HaTorah Jerusalem.
NILI COUZENS
Founder and Executive Director of Jewish Life Seminars in Philadelphia, PA.
RABBI YAAKOV SALOMON
A noted psychotherapist, as well as a Senior Lecturer of Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Productions.

It Takes Two: 4 (A 6-Session Workshop for Couples)

Tina — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:05:37 +0000

This is a hands-on workshop for couples who already have a good relationship and now want to take it to the next level. We will frankly discuss real-life scenarios, gain invaluable insights into the dynamics of marriages (and interpersonal relationships in general), role-play and custom-craft growth programs for each couple. Your marriage is your single most important relationship–make a lasting investment in your future!

testimonials:
“These classes are very helpful, down to earth and actionable.” – Annie and Ron
“We feel your classes have been immeasurably valuable to us- things you’ve said in your classes would continuously prove useful for us often even in the week immediately following the class itself.” – Janet and Vlad
“We have been finding your input very helpful.” – Linda and Phil

To register for the full six session workshop, Click Here
To register for individual sessions, click links on schedule below.

Dates:
May 29 – The Purpose of Marriage
June 5 – Listening, Patience and Empathy
June 12 – The Best Way to Fight
June 19 – Intimacy
June 26 – Responsibility and Personal Growth
July 3 – Kids

UJL Downtown & The East Village Class & Concert Series

Esther — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:15:06 +0000

The Xylopholks!

We’ve been talking a lot about this Monday’s launch of UJL (University of Jewish Learning) up here at the Aish Center. We’ve talked about some of the fantastic teachers who’ll be offering an array of 6-session courses on topics ranging from Yiddish to Kabbalah. We’ve talked about some of the really impressive speakers we’ve got coming to speak to break up the classes. We’ve mentioned how Monday’s launch will also include delicious burgers, beer and sushi.

But we haven’t talked much about the super-exciting downtown component of UJL.

WELL. We decided to do something totally different for UJL Downtown. But what? Enter David Lizmi. David is a seriously connected guy. He’s played, recorded, toured with and managed an impressively long list of bands. And now something else to add to his resume; a 4 week curated series of shows at Aish Downtown for UJL. Each concert will follow a class on Kabbalah, given by Rabbi Stuart Shiff. Hence, the East Village Class & Concert Series. David’s found some amazing musicians and bands to play for us, and their music ranges from jazz, to World, to Traditional, to Experimental. In short, it’s going to be awesome.

The first band on the roster, scheduled for the Downtown UJL launch this Tuesday (7pm April 30, 325 E 6th Street) is The Xylopholks! These guys are so awesome. Comprised from some really talented jazz musicians, The Xylopholks play xylophone-heavy classic ragtime music from the 1920s. It’s a lot of fun!

Other bands and musicians we’ll be hearing from throughout the series are Sleeper’s Work (electronic/experimental), a traditional Moroccan Gnawa band, and Avi Fox-Rosen. Each class & concert costs just $10.

Let us leave you with a little sample of what The Xylopholks do – here’s a really great video they made with WNYC! We hope to see you at the big launch on Tuesday!

Wisdom Overnight! Shavuot at the Aish Center

Tina — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:50:19 +0000

Join the Aish and the Beis for a fun and meaningful overnight experience of learning, eating and celebrating. Our focus is wisdom – what it is, how to get it and how to apply it to your life.

Wise up and learn with us this Shavuot!

When: Tuesday, May 14th
Where: Aish Center, 313 W. 83rd Street
Cost: $25 for the dinner with online RSVP by May 13 at noon, $35 thereafter
Multi-track Learning Program is FREE!

DINNER IS SOLD OUT!

Tues, May 14th

8:30 pm – Dinner

Multi-Track Learning Courses: (11:00pm-4:00am)

11:15pm-12:00am

Peace is Better than Truth – Rabbi Adam Jacobs
PBM – Professionals Beis Midrash: Review – Rabbi Benny Rofeh
Ayin Hara – the evil eye : A force to be reckoned with or a figment of imagination? – Rabbi Yonason Shippel

12:10am-12:55am

Daf Yomi – Rabbi BZ Halberstam
Living a Joyous Life – Rebbetzin Adina Shippel
Celebration through Remembrance – Yizkor : Why Now? – Rabbi Yonason Shippel

1:00-1:30 Omelette Bar

1:05am-1:50am

Sefiras HaOmer: The Road to Sinai – Rabbi BZ Halberstam
The 7 Things That Everyone Wants – Rabbi Adam Jacobs
Holy Hypocrisy – Rabbi Benny Rofeh
Mom and Dad, Just Please Leave Me Alone…But First, Could You Get Me that iPhone 5??? – Rabbi Yonason Shippel (Teens)

2:00am-2:50am

The 48 Ways to Wisdom – Rabbi Adam Jacobs
Mount Sinai vs Mt Everest – How to be both? Rabbi BZ Halberstam (Teens)
Why is the Moshiach / Messiah a descendant from a Moabite Convert? – Rabbi Yonason Shippel

3:00am-3:50am

Its All About Cheese – Rabbi BZ Halberstam
Like a Candle in The Wind – the motions of prayer – Rabbi Yonason Shippel

4:00am-4:45am
How the Torah has Changed the World – Rabbi Adam Jacobs
Walk the Talk – Living with the Torah in 2013 – Rabbi Mordechai Katz
Why is Amen the most famous Hebrew word? The Secret of Amen! – Rabbi Yonason Shippel

5:00 – Vasikin / Sunrise Service

7:15 – Cheesecake Kiddush

Wed, May 15th

6:00 pm – Deep Thoughts on Shavuot – Rabbi Adam Jacobs

Thursday, May 16th

6:00 pm – Does Japanese Come From Hebrew? Intelligent Design in Language – Rabbi Adam Jacobs

UJL Lecturer, Activist, and Artists 4 Israel Founder: Meet Craig Dershowitz

Esther — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:55:58 +0000

We’re just a week away from April 29th, the mega-launch of the University of Jewish Learning – one of our biggest projects ever! UJL has many features – basically every Monday night, we’ll be offering an assortment of classes, learning circles, one-on-one learning and mentoring opportunities, and a lounge to chill and shmooze. Our classes (click here to read about the classes we’re offering!) are broken up by talks and performances by some of the most compelling and entertaining people we know. One of our favorite people coming to speak is the one and only Craig Dershowitz – founder of Artists 4 Israel and all-round super energetic activist. We caught up with Craig to find out a bit about him, his work, and what he’s super passionate about. This guy is so impressive – read on!

Craig Dershowitz, Founder of Artists 4 Israel

Hey Craig! How are you today? I hear you’re currently away with your group, Artists 4 Israel. What’s a typical day with them like?
There is no such thing as a typical day with Artists 4 Israel. A4I has created off-Broadway theater, thrown indie rock concerts, hosted fine art exhibitions, done guerilla art interventions, spray-painted public buildings and so on. As such, each day is a brand new, exciting, unusual one. The only constant in an Artists 4 Israel day is a passionate dedication to creativity, beauty and Israel which, let’s be honest, is one in the same.

How and why did you start the group? And why is the group important to you?

Artists 4 Israel was started by 8 founders quite accidentally – although some would call it fate. Originally, we began as a one-time art event where we intended to sell pro-Israel street art and graffiti pieces to raise funds to build bomb shelters in Sderot during Operation Cast Lead. When about 400 people showed up to this event, all young, not Jewish (or at least not self-identifying as such), we realized we had a greater purpose. I shopped the idea of a cultural arts with an Israeli advocacy mission to multiple non-profits but they were too immature to understand its necessity. We coined the term “culture war” and began fighting it.

Not to sound presumptuous but I’m under the impression that a lot of young and subversive artists in Israel would probably align with more leftist politics. If your organization is Zionist, and therefore pro-Israel, how do you navigate that? Art in Israel is, for good reason, so political. And art that is critical of Israel must make up so much of the landscape.

First, it must be said that not all of our art is “subversive”, although it is what we are most known for and, of course, that which is the most arousing about us. So, yeah, let’s go with that – it makes for a good interview. But, I also do not know the true definition of subversive being applied here. If most of the art is critical of Israel (and let’s not mince words here, by “critical” we often mean “anti” – the constructive critiques are beyond the scope of what we are considering), then being pro-Israel is truly, and by definition, subversive. Rather, if we take a global perspective on “subversive” and consider it as a methodology of art – an application as opposed to concept or technique – then, it is not our art that is subversive, but our politics. Using art to define and promote political agendas is as old as time (see Munch’s The Scream or Picasso’s Guernica) but, in the realm of Israeli advocacy, it is brand, spanking new. Artists 4 Israel are far more subversive within the Jewish and pro-Israel community than any of our individual artists might be. As you know, Israel is a very dynamic and multi-cultural, multi-everything society. It is impossible to say that there is any majority of opinion. One of the things that the enemies of Israel do well (and there are far too many) is to create the illusion that artists are against Israel in some large number. Absolutely false! If you want, I am happy to go into more detail about from where this misconception comes but, then, there’d be no reason to come to hear me speak!

Who are some of the really exciting artists you’ve met or gotten to work with?

Would it be cliche to say each and every one? Probably. Right now, I am very happy to be working with a character by the name of Army of One. Army is a 15 year veteran firefighter, a 9/11 First Responder, a volunteer at Ronald McDonald house, and a bi-coastal street artist posting work that vehemently demands children’s rights. The man has a lot on the line to risk it running around the streets at night with a can of spray paint but the mission outweighs the fear.

We’re so excited that you’re going to be teaching at UJL! What are some of the things we can expect to hear from you?

Oh man. I feel bad for you guys. I never really prep a speech and just sort of speak from the heart. So, it really depends what has happened in the news that day – what has fueled my passions or, worse, my ire. I will try to provide some examples of the growing anti-Israel movement in the arts through some rather powerful examples, and I will try to soften that with some images of our work.

I’m looking forward! How’d you get involved with Aish in the first place, by the way?

My first involvement was teaching a class called “The Social Advocacy Method” – you can actually see some of the ideas being manifest in A4I’s work.

And what’s on the horizon for Craig Dershowitz?

I have made a commitment to Israel and Artists 4 Israel is my greatest vehicle for meeting that commitment. Should I wake up tomorrow and G-d has seen fit to bless our beautiful and ancestral homeland with peace and security, I will figure out my next steps (I am certain it will include writing, being with my girlfriend and learning to ski) but, until then, it is mission forward.

Thanks so much and have a safe trip!

Gracias, toda and thanks!

Craig will be speaking at the launch of UJL on Monday April 29th, from 7.45 until 8.15pm. The launch will be awesome – you’ll be able to choose from a really dazzling array of classes and workshop. We’ve also got sushi, beer, and burgers especially for the occasion. Here’s the Facebook events page. Hope to see you all there – Monday nights on the UWS won’t be the same again.

Who’s Who of UJL?

Esther — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:53:29 +0000

If you haven’t already heard about UJL (The University of Jewish Learning),
then let me fill you in. For years, one of our main regular events at the Aish Center has been our Monday night programs. Various classes and one-on-one learning opportunities have drawn new faces and old faithfuls to our doors for a long time now. People come, talk, learn and have something to eat – it’s rather nice, and we really enjoy it. But a short while ago, we decided that we were ready to make some really big changes. What if we truly had something for everyone? What if people could come and have the freedom to engage in compelling and high quality learning and dialogue on a really wonderful range of topics offered nowhere else in the city? And a lounge for people to learn on their own, chill out with other people, or form their own learning circles? What if classes were broken up by really great musical performances, or mini-lectures from really interesting and exciting people? And what if Aish Downtown had it’s own UJL as well? We had so much fun just envisioning the possibilities. And now, as the launch party on April 29th comes closer, we thought we’d announce some of the awesome people who’ll be teaching the first series of classes at UJL.

Originally from Australia, Tal Segel left the sun and surf to study Torah and education, first in Israel and more recently New York. He studied at the historic Mir Yeshiva of Jerusalem and Novardok Yeshiva of Brooklyn, focusing in particular on the study of character refinement techniques and Chassidic thought. He has a BA in Information Technology from the University of Technology Sydney and a Masters in Education from Yeshiva University. When not teaching at Aish, Rabbi Segel is making Torah educational software at Gaon Education for a new generation of techie Jews. Rabbi Tal’s 6-part series at UJL is the Positivity Workshop.

Kurt Stein in a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch. He was a finance major at the University of Florida and was fortunate enough to spend six years learning at Aish in Jerusalem. He is a popular speaker and has lectured across North America for schools, colleges and Jewish organizations. Kurt’s 6- part series at UJL is entitled Jewish Daily Living.

Marganit Ramon, who we’ve previously profiled, was raised in a Yiddish speaking home in Israel. She calls New York home these days and is proud to be teaching both Hebrew and Yiddish at UJL! She’ll be teaching Yiddish during the first slot of classes (7 – 7.45pm) and Hebrew during the second slot (8.45 – 9pm).

Melissa Stein is a happy wife and mother. She holds a BA in marketing and spent three years learning at Aish’s college for women in Israel. She is a popular hostess and counselor to the many college students that she and her husband work with. Her series is called How To Be a Great Jewish Woman, and is comprised of 6 sessions which will span a broad variety of woman-focused topics, such as feminism within the Jewish culture, modestly and the special mitzvot belonging to women.

Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of the Aish Center and one of the center’s most popular teachers, as well as the driving force of Jew U. He also blogs for the Huffington Post, and his weekly podcasts are downloaded but hundreds of people every week. He’s also the author of ”128 Reflections: Judaism’s Essential Wisdom on Personal Growth”. He’ll be teaching Introduction to Kabbalah as part of a 6-session series at UJL.

These guys are just some of what’s going to be on offer every Monday night, from April 29th and on wards. The launch alone will be great, and to celebrate, we’ll be serving beer, sushi, and burgers! So that’s a delicious bonus. We’re all booking in some really compelling people to speak between the slots, and we’ll be writing an awesome feature on them very soon. Until then, here’s the UJL Facebook event page, and here’s the UJL page on our site. If you’ve got any questions, comments or suggestions, then let us know! And we cannot wait to see you at UJL :-)