A group of bochurim have become the founding talmidim of a new Yeshivas Kayitz in the Catskills, dividing their days between intensive learning and the unique opportunities for hafatzas hamaayanos created by the summer season. 

Launched by Or Hachasidus, the program features daily sedarim in Nigleh and Chassidus, followed by hafotzas hamayanos projects including shiurim, one-on-one chavrusas and visits to yeshivos, kollelim and shuls throughout the Catskills. 

Making the new program possible is R’ Shneur Minsky, a longtime supporter of Or Hachasidus, who undertook to provide the bochurim with full room and board. His support allows them to devote their summer entirely to learning and to sharing Chassidus without the distraction of arranging their day-to-day needs.

The yeshiva is based at Or Hachasidus’ Zichron Moshe Chassidus Center in Monticello, which opened in 2023. With its spacious zal and well-stocked sefarim shelves, the center has become a central address for year-round residents and summer visitors seeking a place to sit and learn. This summer, it has taken on an additional role as the home of the Yeshivas Kayitz. 

Each morning begins with structured sedarim in Nigleh and Chassidus. Later in the day, the bochurim travel throughout the Catskills, where thousands of families, along with numerous yeshivos, camps, kollelim and shuls, gather for the summer.

They arrange chavrusas with bochurim interested in adding Chassidus to their schedules, deliver shiurim in local batei midrash and distribute sefarim to those who wish to continue learning independently. Oמ Yimei Dipagrah and other special occasions, the center hosts shiurim and farbrengens open to the wider public.

Although the Yeshivas Kayitz has been operating for only a short time, its impact is already being felt. Several new shiurim have been established, regular chavrusas have been arranged and the evening farbrengens are attracting a growing number of participants. The presence of a dedicated group of bochurim has also brought new energy to the center itself.

“The Catskills is filled with Jewish life during the summer, but at a different pace from the hectic city routine,” says Rabbi Avrohom Mann, founder and director of Or Hachasidus. “People have more time and are often more receptive to the idea of learning Chassidus with a chavrusa, joining a shiur or attending a farbrengen. The bochurim are here to make those opportunities available.”

Or Hachasidus hopes to expand the initiative over the coming weeks, adding more shiurim and chavrusas in communities throughout the Catskills. 

“With Hashem’s help, we envision the Yeshivas Kayitz becoming an annual program, ensuring that wherever Jewish life moves for the summer, the light of Chassidus moves with it,” Rabbi Man says.