A necessary partner

If someone had said to me that two weeks ago that I’d be speaking in shul on Shabbos, between mincha and maariv, I’d respond, “not a chance.” But as the years pass, day to day life continues to confirm the presence of Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence).
I approached a table in the lobby of Young Israel of Woodmere two weeks ago, curious about the two men standing alongside Rabbi Aaron Glatt and the product they were pitching. My facial expression immediately changed from wonder to glee when I saw their glossy literature promoting Partners In Torah. “There’s happy and then there’s ‘I-have-my-very-own-Partner-in-Torah’ happy,” the card said.
I relayed my story to Chairman of the Board Steve Savitsky and Program Director Rabbi Eli Gewirtz about how the kiruv program had a profound impact on my life 16 years ago. I was then a mother of a first grader at Yeshivah of Flatbush, anxious to fully absorb what my firstborn Rebecca was learning, but frustrated by a lack of formal yeshiva education. They then added me to their panel of speakers for that afternoon.
From a traditional affiliated Jewish background, laws of kashrut, Shabbat, etc., passed down by my mother, and a Talmud Torah education, it was my lack of formal yeshiva education coupled with the rigors of the Ivrit B’Ivrit programming at my daughter’s yeshiva, that made me want and need more. I felt that as a parent with limited technical knowledge, I was precluded from fully absorbing what my daughter was learning and also what she would continue to learn going forward.
In a sense, I felt that it put her at a deficit. I wanted her education to yield a more meaningful experience when she brought her work home. I yearned for more.
A glossy yellow post card arrived in the mail, once again, Hashgacha Pratis, saying “Everyone wants their child growing up knowing more than them, but not by the time they’re eight.” It resonated with me. For three years, the last year I commuted to Brooklyn from Woodmere, as we moved, I had a weekly session with my mentor at Young Israel of Bedford Bay, where Rabbi Heshy Blumstein, who is now Rabbi of Young Israel of Hewlett, was the assistant rabbi.
Woodmere resident and YIW member Jeff Resnick, who brought Partners in Torah to Young Israel of Bedford Bay as its president, was similarly moved by the same postcard. Originally coming from a Conservative background, he participated in the program as a student and reaped the rewards as I did.
Partners in Torah, whose mission aims to connect Jewish people together... those who can learn, those who want to learn, breaking barriers of level of religious observance, affiliated, non affiliated is in its 20th year.
At the helm since 2010 is Savitsky, former President of the Orthodox Union, who is very proud and quick to mention the introduction of teaching guides over the last two years, making it easier than ever to mentor a partner.
Across North America, 5,000 people a week mentor 5,000 students. As numbers have risen over the years, the greatest challenge is to keep the balance of mentors and students the same. Savitsky attributes the surge in interest in Partners in Torah to an overall real yearning for spirituality. “Kaballah, meditation, yoga, people are trying to find a deeper meaning to life, and exploring it,” Savitsky said.
With an ambitious, but attainable goal of doubling the program in the next few years, Savitsky, along with Program Director Eli Gewirtz latest campaign have taken them to affiliated neighborhoods like The Five Towns.
Speaking at various shuls along with a panel, consisting of both mentors and students, who speak of their life changing and rewarding experiences, they seek out mentors to commit to teaching.
“There are tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews. Its time for them to give back,” Savitsky exclaimed.
Rabbi Gewirtz looks forward to upcoming promotional panel events at shuls. Jan. 6 in Teaneck, Jan. 13 in Englewood, and they hope to speak in Great Neck in the spring.
Gewirtz estimates that of the students, 12 to 15 percent become more observant. Of mentors, he notes, “100 percent become more observant.”
The beauty of the Torah is that you can always learn, you can constantly be challenged.

For more information on Partners in Torah, visit www.partnersintorah.org