Studying at a kollel. Photo: AJN file
CHANTAL ABITBOL
DESPITE success stories in Melbourne and Perth, Sydney has struggled for years to establish a viable kollel.
But this time around the Jewish Learning Centre (JLC) is hoping that the outcome will be different.
Next month, JLC plans to bring four Israeli bochers (Torah scholars) to set up Australia’s third Torah MiTzion Kollel.
Once established, it will be one of 25 religious-Zionist kollels dotted around the world under the umbrella organisation of Torah MiTzion in Israel, including one in Melbourne, based at Mizrachi shul and another in Perth.
Rabbi Daniel Eisenberg, who will be heading the project, said: “Jewish life is very dependent on the vibrancy of its institutions and every additional source of inspiration that can be provided to the Sydney community will help advance stronger Jewish identity.
“This is a prime example of that kind of institution.”
Traditionally, a kollel is an institute for advanced Torah studies, which provides married men with housing and a regular monthly stipend to study Judaism’s classic texts.
However, this Torah MiTzion Kollel will run slightly differently.
For starters, these bochers are not married. Furthermore, while they will undertake intensive studies at JLC’s beit hamedrash, the men will also perform outreach work.
Other shuls run similar initiatives for unmarried bochers, but this is the only program to officially be called a kollel in Sydney.
“The focus here is to work in the traditional sense of the kollel, as well as to strengthen the Jewish nature of the community,” said Rabbi Eisenberg, who is still raising some of the $180,000 in funds needed to operate the project in its first year.
This is not the first time an organisation has tried to establish a kollel in the area.
In 2006, the Adass Israel congregation brought out seven rabbis and their families to set up Sydney’s first full-scale kollel. But two years later, it closed down because of funding and organisational issues.
Rabbi Eisenberg, however, believes this time they will succeed.
“It’s not like bringing a group of married men and their families. It’s a very big difference in proportion. It’s more sustainable,” he said.
