Shavuot at Anshe Chesed of Linden
06/17/2025 03:38:37 PM
Shavuot at Anshe Chesed of Linden was uplifting and inspiring. “The goal was twofold,” explained Rabbi Yosef Katz. “First, that every member of our community—young and old, men and women, whether they stay up all night or not—could engage with Torah over the holiday. And second, not just to learn Torah, but to experience its vastness by being exposed to its many areas and diverse styles of learning.”
And that is just what happened
Over the course of the chag, participants had access to a rich tapestry of Torah experiences: from in-depth Talmud study to explorations of Tanach, Jewish philosophy, and practical halacha. The learning began with a community-wide kickoff shiur on Shavuot night, after which adults split into dedicated learning tracks while teens participated in a mock Beit Din. The teens were presented with a real case, they had to research it, and then present their rulings
Recognizing that not everyone is able to stay up late into the night, the community also gathered the next morning for a Tikkun Yom Shavuot—a daytime learning opportunity following Shacharit and a cheesecake kiddush. After which they broke into breakout sessions shiurim delivered by members of the shul before reassembling for the keynote event: a spirited debate between Rabbi Katz and Rabbinic Intern Rabbi Brian Chernigoff n the topic of tzedakah and whether it should prioritize “our own” or extend beyond the fold.
“Rabbi Katz brought alot of performance and shtick,” one attendee commented, “but Rabbi Chernigoff made a seriously compelling case.”
And that was only the first twelve hours.
Throughout the remainder of Shavuot, the community continued its Torah journey with more shiurim, including a meaningful open discussion facilitated by Rebbetzin Emma Katz. The session focused on the personal journeys of baalei teshuva in our community
Youth programming was also in full swing, culminating in a Torah & Ices event in the park sponsored by Rita’s Ices of Roslle
Rabbi Katz concluded the holiday by announcing the launch of the "Beit Midrash on the Go"—a new summer podcast series designed to bring Torah wherever your summer adventures takes you. The series will include dedicated tracks in Mussar, Hilchot Lashon Hara, “Shayla of the Week,” and more.
And for those staying local, mark your calendars: July 16th will feature the siyum on Mishna Yomi Seder Nezikin and the kickoff of Seder Kodashim.
The bottom line is- at Anshe Chesed, Learning Torah never ends