2008 Woodie Awards
A Warm House and A Helping Hand
Benji Neren
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: Features
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With the semester already in full swing, Yeshiva is swarming with students of all backgrounds. Everyone has his own agenda and path. At times, in fact, one may feel a bit lost, even though the university isn't more than just a few blocks long.
Beyond the walls of Yeshiva, a vast number of young kollel families are sprouting up in the apartments surrounding the campus. The men are either in the smicha program at Yeshiva or in the kollel. This presents a very unique opportunity. With such a blend of students and post-graduates, Yeshiva has devised a program never before implemented. It is called the Bayit Cham Program, translated literally as "Warm House."
The goal of the program is to create a connection between Yeshiva students and the kollel families who live nearby. College life can be a very overwhelming experience at times for some. Students can sometimes feel alone and abandoned. the program will offer students a place where they can go to feel at home again. Moreover, they will be matched up with older, more experienced people to share their feelings with.
Students of all backgrounds will be assigned to different kollel families. The families will be acquainted with the students and hopefully begin to develop close relationships. Having a mentor who is not much older than oneself may be very beneficial for students. The program understands that students come from all walks of life and diverse paths. The program intends to be as flexible as it needs to be to meet students' expectations and demands.
One night every other week, students can drop in at their designated adopted family's apartment for a fun and relaxing night of snacks and conversation. It will also be an opportunity for students to meet and familiarize themselves with each other. If a student has a question and wants to discuss it with his "adopted parents" and "adopted brothers," he may do so as well.
The program can also supplement the need felt by those students who miss their close relationships with teachers and Rebbeim in Israel. The families will ideally understand all kinds of students, so no one should feel they are not welcome.
Beyond the walls of Yeshiva, a vast number of young kollel families are sprouting up in the apartments surrounding the campus. The men are either in the smicha program at Yeshiva or in the kollel. This presents a very unique opportunity. With such a blend of students and post-graduates, Yeshiva has devised a program never before implemented. It is called the Bayit Cham Program, translated literally as "Warm House."
The goal of the program is to create a connection between Yeshiva students and the kollel families who live nearby. College life can be a very overwhelming experience at times for some. Students can sometimes feel alone and abandoned. the program will offer students a place where they can go to feel at home again. Moreover, they will be matched up with older, more experienced people to share their feelings with.
Students of all backgrounds will be assigned to different kollel families. The families will be acquainted with the students and hopefully begin to develop close relationships. Having a mentor who is not much older than oneself may be very beneficial for students. The program understands that students come from all walks of life and diverse paths. The program intends to be as flexible as it needs to be to meet students' expectations and demands.
One night every other week, students can drop in at their designated adopted family's apartment for a fun and relaxing night of snacks and conversation. It will also be an opportunity for students to meet and familiarize themselves with each other. If a student has a question and wants to discuss it with his "adopted parents" and "adopted brothers," he may do so as well.
The program can also supplement the need felt by those students who miss their close relationships with teachers and Rebbeim in Israel. The families will ideally understand all kinds of students, so no one should feel they are not welcome.