Rabbi Yossi New on Mayanot

Upon completing a stint as visiting lecturer at the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem over the summer, Rabbi Yossi New, Director of Chabad of Georgia and Rabbi at Beth Tefillah in Atlanta shared his impressions of Mayanot, a place which he believes offers a unique blend of Torah and modernity.

What did you think of your experience at Mayanot?

I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed the whole experience. I think it’s a very important institution in that it fills a need.

What is the “need” that you speak of?

There needs to be a place where college students can study Torah in an open environment and delve into Chassidic teachings in a non-threatening fashion. Many of the congregants at my Chabad house come from diverse backgrounds and from various levels of observance, yet have a real interest in Jewish mysticism, Chassidic teachings and Torah learning in general. Mayanot offers an open environment for these very individuals, and for individuals like them around the world who are looking to learn in a spiritual environment which is accepting of their personal journeys.

Tell us about some of the students you have referred to Mayanot?

One of the many students I recommended is both a lawyer and engineer – someone who is still part of the secular world. He is someone that wants to maintain that connection and figure out how to integrate and balance being in the secular world and the Jewish world – and that is what Mayanot offers.

What did you teach while at Mayanot?

I taught Chassidic perspectives at the Men’s Program as part of Mayanot’s Jewish Studies Program (JSP) and I spent time leading farbrengens at the Women’s Program.

How was your interaction with the students?

I thought it was great. I felt like we related to one another. My whole goal is to give a contemporary definition and insight into what it means to be a Chassid and to do so in a very personal way so that no matter who you are you can relate to what it means to be a Chassid, not necessarily in terms of streimel and a beard, but a more internal meaning of a Chassid that everybody can actually apply to their own lives, at whatever level they are that.

What was your impression of the Mayanot student body?

I was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity of the student body and that there are students who are coming in shorts and t-shirts and feel comfortable to be in this kind of environment.