WebYeshiva

WebYeshiva.org is a pioneering [1] [2] online yeshiva and midrasha. It is unique in that its classes are presented live, and are fully interactive, replicating the structure of a traditional shiur. Its offering extends through Semicha (Rabbinic ordination). It was founded in November 2007 by Rabbi Chaim Brovender [3] and is directed by Rabbi Jeffrey Saks. [4] WebYeshiva is a project of the Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions (ATID).[5] It is headquartered on HaNassi St., in Jerusalem, near the President's House.[6]

Structure and approach

The Yeshiva's goal is to offer Torah classes to students around the world via the internet; [7] it draws on the large resource of quality teachers with high levels of study and knowledge in and around Jerusalem.

WebYeshiva offers advanced course-based Torah study for men and women, [8] including classes in Talmud (4 levels offered), Tanach (Bible), Halacha (Jewish law), Chassidut, and Machshava (Jewish philosophy); some are offered in various languages (Hungarian, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish). Its offering thus replicates that of a traditional Yeshiva; see Yeshiva #Curriculum.

Students may learn live, fully interacting with the teacher and other students. For students who cannot attend live, all classes are recorded in several formats (mp3, mp4, WebEx) and archived within 24 hours. This gives students the option of downloading the classes and learning on their own time.[9]

Programs

In 2010 WebYeshiva launched TorahTutors.org, which aimed to create programs fitted to the needs of the user, including professionals looking for chavruta (learning partner) study, Jewish day school students requiring a tutor for Torah subjects, or Jewish homeschooling.[10]

In 2013 WebYeshiva launched an advanced track, the "Halacha Mastery Program", [11] focused on in-depth study of the major practical halachic topics - Shabbat, Kashrut, Niddah, Avelut - with their sources. The program is offered to men and women, and spans three-years (it is tuition-based; courses may be taken either synchronously over three years or via self-paced archive study). It comprises six courses (~22 weeks each), three mandatory and three elective, where each requires sitting a midterm and then final examination. Students who complete all courses and pass the tests, receive a certificate. [12]

From 2016, male students who complete the Halacha Mastery Program may proceed to an intensive Semicha (ordination) track. In 2017 WebYeshiva first gave rabbinical ordination to students completing the track and its requirements; the Semicha certificate is signed by Rabbi Brovender and Rabbi David Fink (see below). [13]

In 2015 WebYeshiva launched an online sofer stam certification program for men. The (discontinued) course was ten weeks, with each session lasting 90 minutes and upon completion of all course materials and passing the exam students may be certified as a Sofer Stam, a Jewish ritual scribe.[14]

Notable Partnerships

Webyeshiva partners with the S.Y. Agnon House in Jerusalem by offering courses on the writer's works that are broadcast directly from his residence.[15]

Notable Educators

The founders: Rabbi Chaim Brovender is the Rosh Yeshiva of WebYeshiva.org and President of ATID. He is the founding Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hamivtar and Michlelet Bruria (today, Midreshet Lindenbaum).[16] Rabbi Brovender was one of the first Orthodox Jewish rabbis to teach Talmud to women,[17] and most WebYeshiva classes have both male and female students. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the founding Director of ATID, and as of February 2019 is editor of the journal “Tradition.”[18] He received his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University.[19]

Other notable faculty include:

  • Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta. He was Rosh Kollel at Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and previously taught at Yeshivat Hamivtar and at the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School.[21][22] He holds a BA, MA and Semicha from YU / RIETS.
  • Rabbi Shlomo Katz, a well known singer, and former chaplain (of Cedars Sinai Hospital). He received his rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg and from Rabbi Chaim Brovender.
gollark: The fact that those are involved does make me think that something involved is horribly shady, but you know.
gollark: Non-disclosure agreements.
gollark: QUICKLY! HARASS THEM ABOUT SPRITER'S ALTS!(joking)
gollark: I saw eggs on their scroll, though.
gollark: What is an "immortal auron"?

References
  1. "WebYeshiva.org To Broadcast Free Classes From Sick Student's Home" -- Five Towns Jewish Times
  2. "... and the Online Yeshiva" -- The Jewish Chronicle
  3. Levine, JJ (2008-04-24). "Hi-tech Torah learning". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  4. "Hi-tech Torah learning - Health & Sci-Tech - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
  5. ATID Support Page
  6. "A conversation with Rabbi Chaim Brovender, educator - Jerusalemite - Jerusalem Metro Blog". Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  7. Yekusiel (2017-05-17). "Nefesh B'Nefesh Announces 2017 Bonei Zion Prize Recipients". Yeshiva World News. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
  8. "Hi-tech Torah learning". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  9. "High-tech Torah Learning" -- The Jerusalem Post
  10. Resnick, Rabbi Yosef. "A Sample Homeschool Chumash Lesson | The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com | Page 2 | Rabbi Yosef Resnick | 13 Av 5773 – July 19, 2013 | JewishPress.com". www.jewishpress.com. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  11. Staff, Jewish Press. "The Halacha Mastery and 'Orach Chaim' Semicha Ordination Program | The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com | Jewish Press Staff | 2 Heshvan 5774 – October 6, 2013 | JewishPress.com". www.jewishpress.com. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  12. Staff, Jewish Press. "The Halacha Mastery and 'Orach Chaim' Semicha Ordination Program | The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com | Jewish Press Staff | 2 Heshvan 5774 – October 6, 2013 | JewishPress.com". www.jewishpress.com. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  13. See for example, this certificate
  14. "WebYeshiva.org Offers Amazing Breakthrough Program For Safrut Online". Yeshiva World News. 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  15. "Online course analyzes Agnon's stories" -- YNet
  16. WebYeshiva.org website>
  17. "...and the online yeshivah" -- The Jewish Chronicle>
  18. "A journal's new editor wants to steer the Modern Orthodox debate into the 21st century". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  19. Rabbis.org>
  20. "Dovid Fink". WebYeshiva.org. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  21. Rabbis.org>
  22. Torah in Motion>
  23. Rabbis.org>
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