Telshe yeshiva (Chicago)

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Telshe yeshiva (Chicago) (or Telshe Chicago or Telz Chicago) is a Haredi yeshiva (a Jewish Talmudical and rabbinical school) located in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.

In 1960, Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz, rosh yeshiva of the Telshe yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio, established Telshe Chicago as a branch of the Telshe yeshiva.

1 Mission
2 History
3 Divisions
4 External links

[edit] Mission

Telshe Chicago an institution of Torah study devoted primarily to Talmudical studies. It is dedicated to the principle that the Jewish people as a viable and vibrant entity is dependent upon the study and knowledge of Torah and Talmud. Its purpose is to train Torah scholars and to imbue them with Torah ideals and values to enable them to participate as communal leaders and activists on all levels.

[edit] History

For some time, the Telzer rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz had wanted to open a branch of the yeshiva in Chicago, but had been stymied in his efforts by local individuals opposed to the idea. Rabbi Katz managed to obtain premises in Chicago and selected a group of exemplary members of the faculty and kollel in Telz Cleveland and sent them, along with a group of students, to open the Chicago branch.

Among the Rabbis are: Rabbi Avraham Chaim Levin (Rosh Yeshiva), Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller (Rosh Yeshiva) and the late Rabbi Chaim Schmelczer (menahel ruchani) being replaced after his death by his son, Moshe Schmelczer , and the Mashgiach, Rabbi Avrohom Lipschutz.

[edit] Divisions

[edit] Mechina

The mechina ("preparatory school"), offers a four-year course for students of high school age in Talmud, Hebrew Bible, Prophets and Jewish law leading to acceptance in the yeshiva division. The mechina incorporates the Telshe High School, which offers a full four-year senior high school general studies program accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

[edit] Yeshiva

The yeshiva (undergraduate division), offers a five-year intensive course of study in Talmud, Bible, Jewish law and ethics leading a "First Talmudic Degree".

[edit] Graduate program

The kollel graduate school offers a six-year program to students who have completed the yeshiva course, to research specific areas of Talmudic law and ethics culminating in a "Second Talmudic Degree".

[edit] The rabbinic division

Telshe Chicago offers two, two-year programs for students who have completed their undergraduate studies.

The "First Rabbinic Degree" - yoreh yoreh semicha ("ordination") encompasses the laws of kashrut ("dietary laws") and shechita ("ritual slaughter").

The "Second Rabbinic Degree" - yadin yadin semicha is offered to students who have completed their "First Rabbinic Degree" and encompasses sudy of the laws of finance, damages, contracts and other financial subjects as defined by the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law) and in rabbinic literature.

[edit] Community Institute of Telshe Chicago (City Program)

The Community Institute of Telshe Chicago is an extension of Telshe Chicago servicing the community with adult Jewish education. Courses offered include Talmud, Mishna, Humash, practical application of Jewish law, Jewish philosophy and selections from the works by Maimonides.

There are scheduled classes in the yeshiva, northern suburbs, and a Chavrusa Community Kollel Program that is held at Congregation Agudath Israel/Warsaw Bikur Cholim in Peterson Park.