Yavneh > About Us

• Introduction
• Education, Shiurim, and Torah learning
• Social Life
• Shabbat
• Chessed

We offer minyanim for shacharit, mincha, and maariv every day. All other programs originate from within our own board and committees, as well as from the various social, Israel, and religious groups of the general Jewish campus community. The extensive foundation of the Yavneh community can be seen primarily in the respective categories of Religious life and Torah learning, Social programming, Education programming, Shabbat on campus, and Chesed opportunities. While the assessment below is a very brief description and overview, we hope it will shed light on the exceptional things that go on here.

Education, Shiurim, and Torah Learning
The education committee offers various opportunities for students to confront issues in the modern orthodox world. From controversial speakers to thought provoking films this committee will keep you interested in these engaging topics.

Working alongside the educational committee is the Beit Midrash Committee, A Hillel group, actively engages Columbia and Barnard students in traditional Jewish learning. The BMC brings guest speakers to the Kraft Center for Jewish Student life on a regular basis. These speakers hail from institutions as close as Yeshiva University (only a few blocks uptown) and Stern College, and as far as various Yeshivot and seminaries in Israel. The topics of these shiurim are usually focused on important/controversial topics of the Modern Orthodox world. Oftentimes, these speakers publicize important post-graduate learning opportunities, such as the Stern graduate program in Talmudic studies, and the year round learning program of Yeshivat Hamivtar in Jerusalem. Many of our members continue learning in these programs after their graduation.

The Beit Midrash Committee also provides classes that continue over the course of the entire semester, and which usually meet at least once a week. Whether through a student led �Halacha yomi� which takes place every day after shacharit, or in weekly shiurim in classical study of gemarah, there is ample opportunity for Yavneh members to remain involved in consistent and constant torah study throughout their college careers.

Wednesday Night Learning Program (WNLP), which meets every Wednesday night, offers an opportunity for Yavneh members to learn in a more relaxed atmosphere, one which also incorporates the greater Hillel community. Torah learning can often become a burden for students engaged in the rigors of a college program, and is sometimes viewed as a time-consuming responsibility rather than an opportunity for growth. WNLP helps to reverse this trend, making torah learning a unique fun community event not to be missed.

Social Life
Being that social interaction is the most basic need of any community of young adults, Yavneh provides a unique setting for Modern Orthodox students. Our events include a Chanukah chaggia, bowling, casino night, and countless other social programs which the city of New York offers us. Through these programs the community becomes a true home for its members. Our belief on the importance of social programming comes from the most basic assumption that general happiness, besides being a glorious end in itself, also leads to greater involvement. When members feel that Yavneh is doing its best to give them a good, frum, and fun time, the entire community reaps the benefits of the subsequently warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Our social programs have been appreciated by other Orthodox college communities such as NYU�s Shalhevet, as well as by men and women from Stern College and Yeshiva University.

Shabbat
Shabbat in Columbia University has always been popular, not only for students who go here, but also for their friends in other universities. Students and members of Yeshiva university, Stern College, Yachad, Bnei Akiva, and many others consistently choose Yavneh as a destination for the weekend. Because of our location in New York City, some of our members travel home for the weekends. Nonetheless, approximately 300 students show up at Friday night for the Carlebach style services on an average Shabbat. The dvar torah every Friday night is given by a Columbia or Barnard student on the Torah portion of that week. Meals are offered at the Hewitt Dining Hall, and this has recently become a great atmosphere for community bonding especially on Friday night. Upperclassmen, most of whom live in residences with kitchens, often make meals in their suites with friends and guests on Shabbat day. On any given Shabbat, one can find many traditional Shabbat meals going on all over campus.

Special shiurim and programs are offered on Shabbat, as well. At some point over the Shabbat �shiur by your peers� takes place, in which a student presents a lecture in a certain area of halachic/jewish philosophical interest.

Seuda Shlishit Committee, composed of members from all the different religious groups of the Hillel, leads slow singing before maariv and communal havdalah. For many, this is a highlight of the week, a chance for the entire Hillel Jewish community to get together as one group and to sing as one.

Chessed
The Yavneh Chesed Committee works throughout the academic year to participate in and raise money for various charities and organizations, such as for the organization �save a child�s heart�. They also offer volunteer opportunities throughout the city such as playing with children in a school with children from disadvantaged homes. Keep your ears open for the great opportunities this committee has to offer.