Erev Shabbos Preparation – Friday afternoon at Mesivtos – frequently a time for boredom. Not in Yeshiva of New Haven! Shabbos is coming and everyone has a role; everyone participates in making Shabbos special. And, as the bochurim give of themselves in enhancing the geshmak of Shabbos, the Shabbos experience comes ever more alive. This bochur is baking ruggelach, that student is readying the Shul and yet another young man is arranging a gorgeous fruit platter. Everyone has something to contribute and the result is a lovely Shabbos tapestry of oneg and kedusha.
Communal Needs – Yeshiva of New Haven stands for being concerned for Klal Yisroel. New Haven is home to a small Jewish community and bochurim at Yeshiva have many opportunities to reach out and help, whether preparing for a shalom zachar, bris or sheva brochos, studying with a local child or even, lo oleinu, ensuring a proper kevura. These interactive encounters with Yiddishkeit concretize and galvanize the intellectual learning of the classroom, buttressing each talmid’s connection to Torah and Mitzvos.
Davening – Each bochur is taught to daven for the omud and encouraged to layn. Proper pronunciation with mileil and milra is emphasized so students feel confident and proud as emissaries of the tzibbur. These accomplishments forge a lifelong closeness with tefilla and the Kodosh Boruch Hu.