Students at the Blitstein Institute of Hebrew Theological College approached Rabbi Binyomin Olstein, Menahel Ruchani, and Mrs. Miriam Jaeger, Student Activities Coordinator, requesting a weekly Melave Malka shiur. Devorah Brody, the student who spearheaded this idea explained that students wanted to come together to hear a shiur each motza’ei Shabbat given by a Rabbi in the community. In addition, they wanted to invite other young women of the community to give them the opportunity to learn and grow together with Blitstein students. Rabbi Olstein and Mrs. Jaeger worked with Devorah and other students to organize and direct this initiative. Rabbi Olstein spoke at the first impromptu Melave Malka where thirty young women came together. At the scheduled second Melave Malka, Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of the City of Chicago, gave a shiur on halacha to fifty young women. The students were so inspired and enriched by the discussion that they requested that Rabbi Fuerst continue his halacha shiur for the next number of motza’ei Shabbat. Rabbi Fuerst was extremely impressed by the students, their sincerity and religious fervor and graciously agreed to give a series of halacha shiurim. Following the class, students enjoy refreshments and socializing with their friends. We are so proud of the Blitstein students for initiating this project and for their pursuit of knowledge and growth in Torah.
