Deepen your Jewish knowledge and broaden your horizons with
The Magerman Institute of Jewish studies
Chabad House at Penn offers a very stimulating and intriguing forum for open exploration through Jewish study. Whether individual or group discussion sessions are your thing, or perhaps a more formal setting, we provide all possibilities.
Scroll down to browse the list of group learning as well as individual learning and exploration.
Book time with any of our scholars.
Spring 2018 Semester offerings
Sinai Scholars
With an innovative program of study, activities and national networking, the Sinai Scholars Society offers a fresh and exciting context for Jewish life and learning on university campuses.
Requirements & perks:
- 8 2-hour weekly study sessions. (Wednesdays 7-9PM)
- Exciting unforgettable NY field trip.
- Guest lecturers.
- Short research or reflection paper at conclusion.
- $350 Stipends are available for those who complete the program.
For more information Contact Rabbi Levi Haskelevich or apply online. Wednesdays 7-9pm. Dinner, Study and Discussion. At Chabad House, 4032 Spruce Street. Apply online at www.SinaiScholars.com
Click here for more information
Begins Feb. 14th
Sinai Plus: Readings from the Tanya
Date: 10 Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm. Starting Feb. 6th
Location: Chabad House, 4032 Spruce street, Beit Yaccov Library
Weekly discussion and dinner with Rabbi Levi
Apply online to join or Email Rabbi Levi if you have questions.
Special perks for Sinai Alumni who participate fully: Free trip to Israel on Israelinks! (You can choose the season (winter or summer break) or year you wish to take advantage of this offering as long as you are still a college student or have just graduated).
Requirements: Attend 10 learning dinner sessions, participate in a Chabad field trip and at least one Shabbat Dinner at Chabad at Penn.
Topics we are aiming to cover: Purpose, Body and Soul, Love, Anger, Sadness, Happiness, G‑d, Creation, Divine Providence, Ritual, Internal struggle, Truth, Interpersonal relationships, Tolerance, Ego and Selfhood, Good and Evil, Heaven and Hell, Moshiach and Redemption and other topics
Mikvah Series: Conception, Construction, Controversy
Dates: Sundays, 11am-12pm (
Seven Sundays beginning Jan 28th, 2018
Location: Hillel at Penn, 215 39th Street. 2nd Floor (Katz/Mayerhoff room)
Description: Everything from why we use a Mikvah, how to build one and who should use it and when. From the legal to the mystical. Students will have the chance to participate in the actual building of a Mikvah.
This 7 part series is geared for students with some form of formal Jewish educational background.
Contact Jordyn with questions or if you would like to participate.
You Be the Judge: Behind the Steering Wheel of Jewish Law
Sharpen your mind. You’re in the driver’s seat as we examine real cases presented before the Beit Din, the court of Jewish law. We provide the Talmudic primary sources that are the key to getting you started as you take an exhilarating ride down the road of Jewish legal genius. No grades. No pressure. Sessions include lunch.
You Be the Judge: Behind the Steering Wheel of Jewish Law
Location: Penn Law School, TBD (3501 Sansom St Philadelphia, PA 19104)
Dates: TDB
Includes Lunch and Materials.
If you are interested, please register here (https://goo.gl/forms/HSxYl7jsCwr1OXvf2)
Contact Laurent Abergel for more information.
This program was re-founded by our honorable Penn Law alumni Darren Sandler and Justin Cohen.
Endorsement
"I found the Rohr JLI course You Be The Judge fascinating. If my first-year students had been exposed to this material before starting law school, they would be better prepared for the rigors of the Socratic Method."
-Alan M. Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Harvard Law School.
"What one learns from these cases is that legal adaptation is not just a matter of facing new conditions but thinking harder about what is already implied in old principles. The study of Talmudic law is sobering, challenging, inspiring - and also fun for anyone who enjoys puzzles and discoveries. "
-Professor Jeremy Rabkin, Department of Government, Cornell University
For more endorsements and information visit.
Individual Study. Interested in exploring a Jewish topic or text? Want to chat about ideas over coffee? Click below and book one of us.
Date: You pick a time.
Location: Your Location.
Topic: Your Interests.
Contact one of our scholars to set a time to study.
Have an interest in developing skills in Talmud, learning more about a specific topic in Judaism, want help with a research paper, or just want a study partner. You can always contact us to set up an individual private time.
Contact any of our educators to book a time for learning or coffee.
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Rabbi Levi Haskelevich
Rabbi Levi Haskelevich was born and raised in Crown Heights. He studied at Oholei Torah, Yeshiva Gedolah of Sydney, Australia and received his Rabbinic ordination at Central Yeshiva '770'. Rabbi Levi is a ritual slaughter (Shochet), and has edited and published his grandfather's "Memoirs of the Gulag" in Yiddish. He enjoys studying Torah with and learning from students at Penn and has led over 15 Penn birthright trips to Israel. He is the in house campus Rabbi at the Chabad Lubavitch House at the University of Pennsylvania.
To contact Rabbi Levi or to schedule a chat click here .
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Nechama Haskelevich
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia; Nechama spent a number of years studying Judaic studies focusing on Jewish law as well as Jewish philosophy. Nechama studied at the prestigious Werdiger Learning Institute in Australia before moving abroad and studying in Israel and New York.
Nechama found her passion to lie in teaching Jewish studies and counseling, the combination of which she utilized while working at Machon Chana in New York and Cheder Lubavitch in Morristown, NJ.
In 2000 Nechama moved to Philadelphia, together with her husband Rabbi Levi Haskelevich, as emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to direct programming at Chabad of Penn. Rabbi Levi and Nechama live on Penn’s campus and have created a dynamic and open environment for Jewish exploration and celebration, servicing Penn students and faculty alike.
Nechama is certified in Mental Health CPR.
Nechama enjoys teaching, communicating, writing and the occasional catering gig (in the Abrahamic tradition) as well as nurturing her family.
Click here to contact Nechama .
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Chava Hinsey
Chava was born in New York City and raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey, right over the bridge from Philadelphia. She received her Bachelor's from Rutgers University in 2014 where she focused on the intersection of Judaism and Feminist Theory. After graduating college she spent two years studying Jewish Texts and Wisdom in Israel. She then served as the Program Director at the Chabad at Columbia University when she taught classes and one-on-one learning sessions in addition to other programs and events.
Chava is passionate about applying Jewish Wisdom to life in practical ways. She is a freelance writer for the JewishWoman.org, a section of Chabad.org. In addition to studying Torah, Chava enjoying painting and traveling.
To schedule a weekly learning session or to chat over coffee please email Chava at [email protected] or schedule a time at chava.youcanbook.me
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Raised in Argentina, Leivi then continued his rabbinic studies internationally, joining prestigious chabad learning institutions in Brazil, England, Canada, Australia, Israel and the USA.
Having coordinated Chabad House activities in Argentina and then in Boston, MA, Leivi is now part of the Philadelphia team. He is eager to bring his past experience to the students, and enjoys learning and exploring Torah topics with the inquisitive mind of a college student.
To set up a time email him at [email protected] or pick a time slot on leiviche.youcanbook.me
BELOW THIS LINE ARE OFFERINGS FROM PREVIOUS SEMESTERS
Please let us know if you want to see them again.
Seven Teachings of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov
Dates: Sundays, 11am-12pm (
Seven Sundays beginning Sept. 10, October, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3rd
Location: Hillel at Penn, 215 39th Street. 2nd Floor (Katz/Mayerhoff room)
Description: Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer (circa 1700-1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov or the Besht was the founder of the spiritual movement of Chassidism.
While the Baal Shem Tov did not author any books himself, his teachings and traditions were passed down orally by his pupils. The impact of the movement he began is global and has come to transcend denominations.
We will look at 7 of his teachings and see how they have been examined and understood by later scholars and Rabbis.
This 7 part series is geared for students with some form of formal Jewish educational background.
Contact Jordyn with questions or if you would like to participate.
Read It In Hebrew
Date: Tuesdays 8pm, beginning Sept 12th.
Location: Lubavitch House, 4032 Spruce
Learn to Read Hebrew with Nechama in just five lessons.
Great way to feel more comfortable at services during the High Holidays.
Paradigm Shift: Transformational teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
A six week course, one hour class per week taught by Nechama Haskelevich.
These lessons can enhance your spiritual and emotional well being.
Date: Wednesdays, 8-9pm
Location: Lubavitch House, 4032 Spruce street
Email Nechama for more information or to sign up: [email protected]
Marriage Preparation
Marriage preparatory courses for engaged couples. Understanding Jewish weddings, Jewish spiritual & psychological prep' for a wholesome and fulfilled married life.
Contact: Rabbi Levi or Nechama for more information.
