The Dr. Paul W. Hoffert Spirit Progam
JULY 28 to AUGUST 11
Begun in 2000, the Spirit program offers two weeks of free learning for Jewish men and boys ages eight and up, and covers all topics of Jewish interest, from the most basic to the most advanced. This year’s program is participant-driven!
Everyone has something they wish they could learn, and we want attendees to choose their course of study and feel a tangible sense of accomplishment after doing the Spirit Program. Attendees are directed to choose their destination for learning, take the driver’s seat, and choose the route to that destination at their own speed as they learn with four rabbinical students from the Rabbinical Seminary of America in Queens, New York and with Rabbi Becker.
Sessions are offered for individuals and groups by appointment, from 9 a.m. to Noon and 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. except for Shabbos. Study sessions run from 15 minutes to three hours, and are held at Southwest Torah Institute, 5150 E. 5th Street, Tucson.
We invite you to choose your topics, be creative, and pursue your learning desires or our rabbinic scholars will be happy to choose a topic for you.
The Spirit Program is dedicated in memory of Dr. Paul W. Hoffert who was and avid attendee and financial supporter of The Spirit Program. This year’s Dr. Paul W. Hoffert Spirit Program has been endowed in loving memory of Edye bas Berel, Janet Danielle bas Mordechai, Nisim ben Rephael, Betzalel Yaakov ben Dovid Haleivey & Bunya Mara bas Zev.
THE SPIRIT PROGRAM SCHOLARS
Yosef Porush, 21
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Milwaukee, Yosef enjoys his in-depth Talmudic Study in addition to focusing on expanding his knowledge on applicable Halacha (laws and customs of day to day living and holidays) and Mussar- character development. He has attended Talmudic Academy in Baltimore, MD. WITS (Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study) in Milwaukee and Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Jerusalem and now at Rabbinical Seminary of America in Queens, NY. His hobbies include jogging, and diving. And is looking forward to the Spirit Program “A very exciting opportunity to get to know Tucson and this Jewish Community”.
Rueven Russek, 22
Rueven hails from Queens, NY and is enamored with the in-depth methodical and unique style of learning which is a featured trademark at The Rabbinical Seminary of America (Chofetz Chaim). He looks forward to sharing his love of learning in Tucson. Rueven’s hobbies include snowboarding, jogging, and basketball.
Uri Goldberg, 21
Uri is a Floridian, who will soon experience firsthand the joys of dry heat! After attending the Torah Academy of Boca Raton (where Rabbi Becker’s son-in-law, Rabbi Rueven Feinberg leads as Headmaster) for elementary school, Uri attended Yeshiva Toras Chaim in North Miami Beach. Post high school he continued his pursuit of Judaic studies for three whole years at Chofetz Chaim, Jerusalem. He now attends the Rabbinical Seminary of America, Chofetz Chaim in Queens, NY. In addition to his Talmudic skills Uri excels as a camp counselor, athlete, creative writer, photographer, and video-editor. He is also a modest guitar player. He is passionate about the study of personal growth and the dynamics of human nature through Torah sources. He is excited about the opportunity to connect with the Tucson Jewish Community.
Shimmy Freud
Born, raised, and schooled in Staten Island, NY. Shimmy now attends the Rabbinical Seminary of America (Chofetz Chaim), and enjoys in depth Talmud Study. He has a keen interest in the study of Hashkafa, which focuses on viewing the world around us through the prism of Judaism. He also enjoys the study of Torah Texts and Medrash which focus on character development. His analytical study of Jewish Law includes exploring the what, the why, and the how to.
Mon, May 5 2025
7 Iyyar 5785
