Crown Heights Youth, In Yeshiva and Out, Join for Torah Study

On a humid Wednesday night last week, some 20 chavrusos gathered in Ohelei Torah for an evening of learning, comradery… and sushi. While the imagery of chavrusas learning, sushi or otherwise, is one not uncommon in Yeshivos around the world, this particular gathering was anything but mundane.

Representing students from diverse backgrounds, they gathered for the final installment of Chavrusa Sushi, the weekly study program run by Rabbi Yehoshua Werde that brings members of the Crown Heights workforce outside of the yeshiva system together with their peers in yeshiva for a series of one-on-one learning sessions.

According to Shmuly Kurtz, who runs the program in Chovevei Torah, some 10 people attend weekly lessons his yeshiva. An additional 12 sets of chavrusos learn each week in Ohelei Torah in sessions run by Avremi Raichik. An additional 15 to 20 girls learn in a weekly sister program Bais Rivka Seminary..

According to Zisi Posner, who facilitates the program for girls, the program has become “very important in the lives of the participants.”

“People who at first seemed interested in only stopping by have turned the weekly program into a regular aspect of their lives,” Posner says.

Melech Bialo is one of the students to learn in the men’s program. During the week he works as a chef, but the Chavrusa Sushi program is unique highlight to his week.

“It’s both filling and fulfilling,” Bialos says, a piece of sushi in hand. “You begin to incorporate learning into your daily life, it becomes something that you want to continue doing [even after it ends.]”