 very
Monday morning at 9:30, all of the rabbis file out
of the Beit Midrash and gather in the conference
room to evaluate the state of the Yeshiva: is it
educating in the best possible way? This constant
self-examination often results in students moving
from one class to another and occasionally results
in the creation of entirely new programs. An example
of the latter is our new program to improve Hebrew
language skills. Knowledge of Hebrew is a central
key to success in learning. Yeshivat Darche Noam
has retained Mr. Shmuel Atzmi, a much experienced
Hebrew teacher, to give a mini-ulpan focusing on
Classical Hebrew grammar. The theory learned in
the ulpan is then put to use in a new series of
classes on the Prophets. The basic and intermediate
levels are learning the book of Joshua and the advanced
level is learning the book of Isaiah, all the classes
being taught with a focus on language.
* Rabbi
Yonatan Kolatch, one of our very successful Chumash
teachers, has greatly expanded his role in the
Yeshiva to utilize another aspect of his training.
In addition to his many years as a student of
Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, zt"l, from
whom he received rabbinic ordination, Rabbi Kolatch
also received his MSW from the Wurtzweiler School
of Social Work of Yeshiva University. He now combines
the many dimensions of his education in his capacity
as the new Mashgiach Ruchani.
* Growth
is what students seek at Midreshet Rachel. Midreshet
Rachel, however, has undergone growth of its own.
The near doubling(!) of the number of students
has necessitated some significant changes. The
addition of the "Basics" program has
made it possible for students with very minimal
background to learn in our school. After an intensive
six week course the students are able to integrate
into the regular Level One track. The program,
which began in Elul, has already had three graduating
classes.
*
As the Midreshet Rachel family grows, so too grows
its faculty. Mrs. Esther Hoffner, formerly from
London, has joined the ranks of our Tanach teachers
and has been enthusiastically received . The teaching
staff has also grown to include Mrs. Deena Nataf,
who has come full-circle, from being a student
in our very first year of existence to serving
on our faculty.
* The
yeshiva is blessed this year with an especially
large number of married students, many of them
being Darche Noam Institutions couples, with the
husband learning in Shapell's, while the wife
learns at Midreshet Rachel. We have reintroduced
our weekly lecture series for these couples. It
is hosted each week by a different couple and
focuses on issues important to the building of
Jewish homes and shalom bayit. In addition, the
Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Hirshfeld, teaches a class
for the married men to help them become the best
husbands and fathers that they can be, in the
finest spirit of Jewish tradition.
* This
year's annual Alumni Melave Malka attracted a
record number of members of our Darche Noam Institutions'
extended "family".  The
evening featured the debut screening of the new
Darche Noam Institutions video, designed to introduce
potential students and supporters to our yeshiva
and midrasha. In addition, the all-new Darche
Noam Cookbook was distributed, containing the
favorite recipes of our staff and faculty, including
such fascinatingly tempting titles as "Scud
Missile Cholent", "Kosher Cordon Bleu"
and "Chocolate Fantasy"!
Midreshet Rachelīs Rabbi Fisher
enjoying the Melave Malke with
his students Shirley Gee, Margee Halfon and Susan
Hirschman
Rabbi
Avishai David, noted scholar and Director of Michlelet
Mevaseret Yerushalayim, gave the Torah address.
The evening was rounded out with musical entertainment
provided by the "Daniel Hundert Trio",
featuring Dan Miller, Cary Burton, and, of course,
Daniel Hundert.
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