I am considering going to learn in Israel for 1 year and would welcome any suggestions. Background: 4 US degrees, 2 bachelor, JD and masters. Hebrew needs work. I learn daily but its often more in English than Hebrew/Aramaic. 36 years old, single. Any suggestions or comments would be welcome. Thank you in advance.

B"H

Stephen,

Could you tell us briefly what is the scope of your learning (what kind of degrees you have earned)? This might help in suggesting a place for you.

David

B"H

By saying "Adult Yeshiva," does this mean that you are only looking to study in a Yeshiva?

David

David,

Thank you for the interest in my question. To answer yours. I have 2 Bachelor degrees: 1 in Political Science and 1 in East Asian Studies (I used to speak Japanese). My other two degrees are a Law Degree and Masters in Tax. My goal is to learn to become as self-sufficient a learner as possible. I would like to be able to approach each of my chavrusa sessions having been able to get pshat from a blatt gemara w/ rashi tosafos or my current halacha shiurim able to move more quickly through pri megadim. Thank you again.

Stephen,

Darche Noam (Shapell's) in Jerusalem is one choice that might work for you. It caters to professional types and it has good rabbonim. Its strength lies in teaching you how to learn Torah. It's more in the discipline of learning. My friends who are doctors and other professionals found it very good. I spent a few days there a few years ago.

If you are looking for a more "practical" Torah you may want to go to a different one. Mayanot (although Lubavitch), also in Jerusalem, has a more practical and personalized approach. But most importantly they take you where you are. You don't have to suddenly dress a certain way or act a certain way. They just want you to learn and take things at your own pace and you can learn at any level with them.

There are many others but they cater to the younger crowd, for the most part. They don't distinguish between a young person who needs to learn and a more mature professional person who is at the same level of learning. Someone who has been to law school has a different level of discipline from a 19 year old in Yeshiva.

stephen i agree wiht Moshe it sounds like you might be interested in Shapells. I have heard nothing but good review from friends of mine and their abilities to work with different levels. the website addr is http://www.darchenoam.org

the only way to find out is check out the site and send an e-mail with questions.. hopefully I'll see you there...

quote:

(I used to speak Japanese).

Shalom Stephen:

My father tells the story that there is a Japanese word for exquisite beauty pronounced ripana. And that there is a saying, regarding a particular garden, at a place called miko, that one cannot say ripana until they have seen miko.

Have you heard this expression?

We subsequently found this:

http://english.thekotel.org/

The Temple in Its Glory

The Rabbis taught in a Baraisa: Whoever did not see Jerusalem in its splendor never saw a delightful city in his life. Whoever did not see the Temple when it stood never saw a magnificent structure in his life.
b. Sukkah 51b

Thank you all for your comments. I am looking at all options. One of my rabbi's is a fan of Shapells. Another likes Machon Shlomo. We shall see what Hashem has planned. Rob, I know the word Rimpana. I made TEshuvah a decade ago in university where I learned to speak Japanese. I lost that skill but my time now is for Torah. Thanks for the good memory as well.