ABOUT THE SHAAR

At the SHAAR you will have the opportunity to explore the depths of Judaism in the heart of one of New York's most vibrant Jewish communities.

The Shaar is a groundbreaking introductory Yeshiva program based in the Far Rockaway and Five Towns community, dedicated to bringing the joy and knowledge of Torah study and immersive Jewish observance to secular Jewish students and young professionals. The program takes participants from diverse backgrounds with minimal or no formal Jewish education and assists them in their quest to engage, connect and advance in their Torah learning skills, hands-on mitzvah observance and general Jewish growth. The Shaar’s vibrant student atmosphere, along with experienced and devoted Rabbis and teachers, and welcoming community members, provides the students a warm and nurturing environment for spiritual and personal growth.

Curriculum and Tracks

The Shaar's stellar staff of experienced, dynamic and dedicated Rabbis and educators offer a wide array of Torah and educational classes throughout the day - early morning to late at night - for students at any level of learning experience. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of each individual student. It contains both textual and non-textual elements, comprising of Gemara (Talmud), Mishna, Chumash, Halacha (Jewish Law), Mussar (Ethics), Hashkafa, Machshava (Philosophy), Middos (Character Development) and Hebrew Ulpan (Hebrew Language and Grammar). Students are offered various simultaneous tracks of learning, including a beginners track for those with minimal or no Torah skills, and more advanced tracks as well.

The Torah classes, coupled with customized one-on-one chavrusa sessions and mentorships with Shor Yoshuv students, kollel members and local community members, together with the personal attention and close individual connections with the Shaar staff and leadership, have been a powerful propellant for the students on their respective journeys toward Torah and mitzvah observance and their general Jewish growth and development.

Location and Community

The Shaar's dynamic learning programming is located in the magnificent and state-of-the-art Shor Yoshuv Yeshiva campus, nestled in the scenic and idyllic Nassau County, NY community of Lawrence and Far Rockaway. The Shaar students have access to all of Shor Yoshuv’s amenities, including study halls, classrooms, fully stocked libraries of Torah texts in many languages, three gourmet and nutritious catered meals a day served in their spacious dining hall and a full array of sports facilities in and around the yeshiva.

 The Shaar is blessed to be situated in one of the most amazing, special, warm and dynamic communities in the world: Far Rockaway and The Five Towns, NY. Being located in close proximity to so many wonderful shuls, kehillos and community institutions has allowed Shaar students to successfully network and integrate socially, professionally and spiritually with so many wonderful and successful community members and their families.

 Shabbos at the Shaar is a special experience every week, with the Shaar students and Rabbis davening together at a beautiful and inspiring minyan at the local community shul. Shabbos meals are hosted by our wide network of community members every week, giving the students the opportunity to network with and integrate into the community and experience Shabbos in a beautiful family setting.

Community Engagement

One of the highlights of The Shaar's exciting programming is our highly popular Thursday Night Shteig chavrusa program with local community members, which takes place at various local community Shuls. A palpable buzz of excitement fills the air as our students and their community-member chavrusas sit down to learn, connect and unify through their shared heritage. The learning program is followed by a lively pre-Shabbos farbrengen at one of the community members’ homes with hot food, live music, amazing ruach and deep Jewish brotherhood and bonding. The Shaar has been privileged to partner in this program with the community members of many wonderful Five Towns Shuls including Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid of Lawrence (Rav Mordechai Stern shlit"a) The White Shul (Rav Eytan Feiner shlit"a), Aish Kodesh of Woodmere (Rav Moshe Weinberger shlit"a), Beis Medrash of Lawrence (Rav Dovid Fordsham shlit"a), K'hal Mevakshei Hashem (Rav Yossie Zakutinsky shlit"a), Bais Tefila of Inwood (Rav Pinchas Weinberger shlit"a), Kehillas Bais Yehuda Zvi - The Red Shul (Rav Yaakov Feitman shlit"a), Beis HaKnesses of North Woodmere (Rav Aryeh Leibowitz shlit”a), among many other esteemed local congregations.