BT In A New Key

A blog for people who seek alternative approaches to kiruv and the baal teshuvah experience.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

desribes the yeshiva experience

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Key Advice from Rav Yaakov

According to Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, the goal of the kiruv professional should be simply to help the baal teshuvah take on the mitzvos. He should not impose conformity or eradicate the essence of the person. Rav Yaakov said that it is important that the BT feel normal. He said that, for example, the typical BT will not feel normal if he does not complete his or her college education. Thus, he or she should not be discouraged from doing so.

Reb Moshe Feinstein Zt"l with Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky Zt"l in Camp Ohr Shraga 1969 - YouTube

If not for the Torah

It is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: For what reason was the Torah given to the Jewish people? Because they are impudent. The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught the following with regard to the verse: “From His right hand went a fiery law for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2); The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: these are fit to be given a fiery law. Some say the ways of these people are fire, as, were it not for the fact that the Torah was given to the Jewish people, (whose study and observance restrains them) no nation or tongue could withstand them. (Beitzah 25b)

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Schools for BT men

Aish HaTorah (Old City)
Belz Chassidus
Diaspora Yeshiva (Old City)
Dvar Yerushalayim (Har Nof)
Hadar Hatorah (Chabad-Crown Heights)
Isralight (Old City)
James Striar School (Yeshiva University, NY)
Machon Meir (Kiryat Moshe)
Machon Yaakov (Har Nof, Jerusalem)
Mayanot (Chabad - Jerusalem)
Ohr Somayach (Malot Dafne, Jerusalem)
Ohr Tmimim (Chabad - Kfar Chabad)
Orayta (Old City)
Sha’arei Shalom (Nachalot, Jerusalem)
Shapells (Beit HaKerem, Jerusalem)
Shor Yoshuv (Far Rockaway, NY)
Shuvu Banim (Breslov, Old City)
The Breslov Yeshiva
Tiferes Bachurim (Chabad Morristown)
Torah Ohr (Chabad Miami)
Toras Dovid (Monsey)
Yeshiva Temimei Darech (Chabad Sefas)

Seminaries for BT women

Aish Gesher (Old City)
Bais Chana (Retreats, online)
Machon L'Yahadus (Chabad, Crown Heights)
Mayanot (Rechavia, Jerusalem)
Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya (Givat Shaul, Jerusalem)
Neve Yerushalayim (Har Nof)
Stern College Mechina Pathways (Manhattan)

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Maintaining Your Individuality

"I was very young when I came to America and various people gave me advice how to be an effective Rabbi and teacher by following the example of this or that successful person. They meant well of course but had I followed their advice, I would not be what I am today. Of course I am nothing, but the little that I am is because I refused to change my persona. God has given each of us a unique identity, and to the extent that we are faithful to it we will be fulfilled. Why then do we see so many unsuccessful and frustrated Jews despite God’s promise that we will each be richly rewarded? It is because in developing themselves they did not remain faithful to their roots, to their true selves. My father, who was my real teacher, taught me this lesson. When I was young and we would learn Gemara together, I would repeat his words exactly, only to have him tell me “if you simply repeat what I said you will never be a lamdan – you have to explain it in your own words.” In other words, a person is true to himself when he is faithful to the Torah and tradition, and faithfully upholds their fundamental principles, albeit in ways that reflect his unique persona." Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. Transcribed by R' Basil Herring in TorahMusings.org http://torahmusings.com/2013/08/the-rav-on-remaining-true-to-ourselves/

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You're telling all those lies About the good things that we can have If we close our eyes Do what you want to do And go where you're going to Think for yourself 'Cause I won't be there with you (G. Harrison)

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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

desribes the yeshiva experience

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