In the mid 1990’s, in
Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner and Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov were shluchim – emissaries of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe ob’m, sent to determine what could be done to impact today’s
generation of students. Both seasoned educators, they were not satisfied with
the state of Jewish education for college students visiting Israel. Though
there was an abundance of programs, they did not fully encompass the vision of
a holistic Jewish education that would speak to the next generation of
youth.
Rabbi Shemtov remarked, "There didn't yet
exist a place that was inclusive of people on their journeys toward Judaism, a
center for Torah learning that offered an opportunity to inspire one's
surroundings and not retreat from the world."
The educational institution they imagined would be a
place where young Jewish adults could engage with their history, heritage, and
the classical texts of their religion in an authentic, open and accepting
environment. It would be a place where intellectual engagement with Judaism
would be emphasized, where close textual study, coupled with challenging
discussions and questioning, would be encouraged. It would be a place where
students would be welcomed regardless of their level of observance, as long as
they came with a keen and curious mind, and a dedication to explore their Jewish
heritage.
“We wanted to offer students a place
where they could grow on a personal level”, Rabbi Gestetner stated. “Very
often yeshivot either had an emphasis on the intellectual, and
sometimes the spirituality was lost, and sometimes it was the opposite. Finding
the balance and the synthesis is difficult. We felt there was a void in places
which did combine these elements of serious learning and spirituality and we
wanted to merge these two worlds.”
Inspired by chasidut, their belief was and still is, that
Judaism is a living entity that should not exist only within the confines of
the classroom but should resonate beyond; their studies, discussions and
questions should inform their daily lives. The name ‘Mayanot’ was chosen, based
on the verse, “Let thy wellsprings be dispersed
abroad.” (Proverbs 5:16), and captures the essence of this vision –that
the students gaining a deep and enduring knowledge of our heritage, and
becoming leaders in their home communities, utilizing what they had learned at
Mayanot. Ultimately, they would enrich their Jewish communities and beyond.
The realizing of this vision was finally
put into action in 1996, when the Mayanot
Institute of Jewish Studies was
established in Nachlaot, Jerusalem.
Rabbi Gestetner, Dean of Mayanot, and
Rabbi Shemtov, the Executive Director, approached a well-known philanthropist, Joseph Gutnick of Melbourne Australia to be a partner
in this venture. His financial support, in those first years, were critical to
the success of Mayanot.
Founding teachers included renowned
Talmud lecturer Rabbi Baruch Kaplan, contemporary Halacha lecturer Rabbi
David Fink, Ulpan teacher Mr. A. Atzmi and Rabbi Dr. Allon
Silberg. All are extremely talented educators, who are able to help students
just beginning, to understand and study complex sections of the Gemara
independently, and were a perfect addition to the yeshiva.
Mayanot’s first year began with seven
students. Through word of mouth, Mayanot’s reputation grew, and so did its
student body, increasing by 50% each year.
As the demand to study at Mayanot grew, so too did the
number of programs, to cater to the vast and various needs of the students. Rabbi Yisroel Noach Wichnin became the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mayanot
Yeshiva program. Under his guidance, the curriculum developed to the extent
that a student could come to Mayanot just knowing the Hebrew Aleph Bet, and
graduate with new vistas of knowledge and tools for self-study.
At this point Rabbi Chaim
Moss joined as head of the ‘Judaic Studies Program’. This
program was designed for students who wanted to gain an introduction to the
classical texts of Judaism. The Mayanot Winter and Summer Programs, offered through the JSP
program, were designed to allow students to spend 4-5 weeks exploring
the issues that have challenged Jewish thinkers for centuries, in an intimate
and intellectually open environment. These short term programs were designed to
appeal to students from all over the world who want to study at Mayanot during
their school breaks.
As these programs developed, the Mayanot Executive Learning Program was added. Designed for professionals
and business executives, the course enables busy professionals to advance their
Jewish knowledge and recharge their spiritual batteries.
As the Mayanot family began to grow exponentially, it
became clear that the community they had founded needed a space outside of the
Institute’s walls to gather and to unite with the wider community. In order for
the conversation to continue, it had to include more voices.
In coordination with the Mayanot board, and guided by
the Chairman of the Board, Mr.
Jeffery Cohen, the Mayanot
Community Synagogue in
Nachlaot was established. Mr. Cohen has been a guiding light in all Mayanot
activities and developments. He offers a hands-on approach. With his help, the
Synagogue offers people in the area an opportunity to participate in lively,
meaningful services and to take part in the many events and lectures hosted
there by the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies.
Led by Rabbi
Avremel Silver, the Mayanot
Alumni Shul in New York, opened
in 2008 and serves as both a place of prayer and a meeting space for former
Mayanot students. This Shul is a space where alumni can stay connected to each
other and reinforce the values instilled in them at the Mayanot Institute of
Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
In 2001, still more voices would be added to the
conversation. The diversification and development of the Mayanot
vision found expression in a partnership with Birthright
Israel. When Birthright Israel was launched in 2001, Mr. Yisroel Schulman, Esq. a
longtime friend and supporter of Mayanot, brought this initiative to the Board. Since that time with Mr. Danny Sack, director of
Mayanot's Birthright Israel division, today Mayanot is proud to be one of the
largest trip providers for young Jews across the United States. Mayanot brings
local campus Rabbis to Israel to accompany the participants on their trips, and
to make sure that they have a means to stay connected to Israel and their
Jewish heritage back home, becoming active community members and advocates for
Israel on their campuses. In this way Mayanot ensures that the Birthright
Israel journey continues, establishing an effective Post Birthright Program.
When Mayanot observed the Birthright Israel
participants’ powerful longing to deepen their relationship with Judaism and
Israel, the Mayanot Post-Birthright
Study Program was created.
The program presents Birthright Israel
participants with an opportunity to extend their stay in Israel for an
additional three weeks. In this way, participants are able to engage with
Israel in a different way. They spend three weeks studying at Mayanot and
living in Israel, forming a more personal relationship with the land and with
their heritage. This supplementary program to the Birthright Israel trips
allows Mayanot participants a well-rounded and personalized Israel experience.
In 2002, a larger building became necessary to
accommodate the abundance of students who were coming to study at Mayanot. 28
David Yellin Street in the Mekor Baruch neighborhood of Jerusalem became
Mayanot’s new home. It was purchased to provide a campus that included space
for classrooms and dormitories where the students could learn and live,
allowing for an integrated Mayanot experience. The David Yellin campus was
expanded further in 2003 and 2011 as a response to the ever- increasing student
population.
Gradually, Mayanot began to offer a wider variety of
programs, such as the Mayanot
Spanish Program and an Israel Advocacy Program in conjunction with the David Project.
The David Project trains Mayanot students to become ambassadors for Israel when
they returned to their colleges, and inspires them with a sense of the importance
for Israel advocacy.
In 2008, the conversation added still more
voices. With the encouragement and support of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, and Mr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Karen Cohen, the Mayanot
Women’s Program was
established in Katamon. This dream was made into a reality by Mr. George and Mrs. Pamela Rohr,
the first investor in this new venture. Mr. Rohr was not content with just
funding the program but constantly contributed and followed its success and
growth.
Headed by Rabbi
Meir Levinger, Educational Director, and Mrs.
Rivka Marga Gestetner, Assistant Director, the Mayanot Women’s Program
quickly became a well-known destination for women in search of a place to
explore and express their spirituality and to undertake rigorous study of Jewish
texts. The Women’s Program has become the fastest growing program of its kind
in Jerusalem. The addition of the Women’s Program has added a vital and rich
element to the Mayanot tapestry.
The Post High School Program was launched in 2015,
headed by Rabbi Mordechai Guth
introducing a new track for 18 -19 year old's who want to experience
authentic Torah learning with a Chassidic spirit.
Yet again Mayanot has found it necessary to expand into
a larger building, due to the overwhelming popularity of the many programs
offered. The new Mayanot World Center will reach an even wider audience of men
and women and broaden the impact worldwide from the heart of Israel’s capital.
The magnificent five story building, on 7 Ben Tzvi, was
officially purchased in 2016 and will be the new headquarters of the organization,
housing several new initiatives including: the Birthright Israel extension
program, the lone soldier residential center, the post high school beit midrash
program, internship and volunteer programs and so much more.
With the overwhelming support from the broader Jewish
community, we are able to infuse the lives of students with a passion for
Israel and the Jewish people. We look forward to sharing many more milestones together
with you!