2008 Woodie Awards
BMP: A Way to Fulfill Ones Chiyuv...Lechatchila!
Adam Weisstuch
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 2 next >
I applaud Eric Adelman's recent article relating to the issues surrounding the Stone Beit Medrash Program. He recognizes the fact that BMP is not perfect and that many improvements are necessary. Nevertheless, Adelman made a crucial mistake when he decided to depict such a rude portrayal of one of the greatest improvements YU has made in recent years. Anyone who initially compares the Mazer Yeshiva Program (MYP) and BMP solely based on logged hours is already moving in the wrong direction: aside from learning parts of the Oral Law, they are nothing alike. YP and BMP are definitely "distant cousins" as Adelman claimed, but not in the respect that he was implying.
After spending three years in BMP and serving as its Vice-President for the 2003-2004 academic year, I believe that I have more authority to speak of its strengths and weaknesses than a one-semester experimenter. MYP is a wonderful program and the amount of Torah learned by its students is unparalleled by many of the greatest Yeshivot of our long history. Yet, we all know about the "YP sleep 'till three" motto and the scores of students who register for YP in order to free up more time in their schedule for jobs and studying. In no way, shape or form am I here to belittle a great program that fosters so much Talmud Torah; rather I am bringing to the public's attention the point that no program is perfect and faults can always be found.
BMP was instituted to bridge a gap and provide an alternative for Yeshiva students. Increased time in shiur, more Rebbe-Talmid contact and an emphasis on Halacha/Machshava (something that many YP students feel is lacking from their mornings) are all draws for this unique program. Having seder from nine to twelve followed by a fast paced shiur with a Gadol is not for every student. While BMP's nine o'clock attendance is something that some feel is childish, those who feel that way would usually not be found at the 8:30 or 8:45 minyan in Rubin if there was no roll call. The attendance policy allows for a minimal waste of time so everyone can begin learning together at nine in the morning. In MYP, no attendance is taken at nine and students must take care of themselves and assure their attendance. Many do, some don't. BMP assures that all of its students maximize their time.
After spending three years in BMP and serving as its Vice-President for the 2003-2004 academic year, I believe that I have more authority to speak of its strengths and weaknesses than a one-semester experimenter. MYP is a wonderful program and the amount of Torah learned by its students is unparalleled by many of the greatest Yeshivot of our long history. Yet, we all know about the "YP sleep 'till three" motto and the scores of students who register for YP in order to free up more time in their schedule for jobs and studying. In no way, shape or form am I here to belittle a great program that fosters so much Talmud Torah; rather I am bringing to the public's attention the point that no program is perfect and faults can always be found.
BMP was instituted to bridge a gap and provide an alternative for Yeshiva students. Increased time in shiur, more Rebbe-Talmid contact and an emphasis on Halacha/Machshava (something that many YP students feel is lacking from their mornings) are all draws for this unique program. Having seder from nine to twelve followed by a fast paced shiur with a Gadol is not for every student. While BMP's nine o'clock attendance is something that some feel is childish, those who feel that way would usually not be found at the 8:30 or 8:45 minyan in Rubin if there was no roll call. The attendance policy allows for a minimal waste of time so everyone can begin learning together at nine in the morning. In MYP, no attendance is taken at nine and students must take care of themselves and assure their attendance. Many do, some don't. BMP assures that all of its students maximize their time.