Community Services
HTC has a longstanding philosophy of community service, engaging our students and alumni to meet the needs of the local and global community. Collaborating with community partners, HTC provides an array of religious, communal, and social services while providing students with hands-on learning opportunities, including Bigdei Yisrael clothing collection, the weekly Torah publication Likutei Peshatim, memorial and kaddish services, mishloach manos, daily minyanim, and regular community lectures.
To learn more and volunteer, call Rabbi Josh Zisook at (847) 982-2500 x 1113.
Likutei Peshatim
Likutei Peshatim is a weekly publication of Divrei Torah and community announcements. HTC distributes Likutei Peshatim in shuls throughout Chicagoland community. The faculty, Kollel, and student body of Beis HaMidrash L'Torah prepare the weekly content under the direction of Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Editor, and Mrs. Naomi Samber, Assistant Editor.
Subscribe to the electronic edition, distributed via e-mail on Thursday afternoons.
For sponsorships in the Likutei Peshatim print edition, please email Mrs. Samber at samber@htc.edu or call (847) 982-2500.
Thank you to the Crain-Maling Foundation for generously sponsoring Likutei Peshatim online.
Memorial and Kaddish Services
For generations throughout history, the Jewish people have honored the memories of parents and other loved ones by saying kaddish. Many people wish to say kaddish but are unable to do so. As a service to the entire Jewish community, a designated Rabbi or senior student at Hebrew Theological College will:
- Recite kaddish three times daily for the prescribed eleven-month period;
- Recite yizkor on the appropriate Jewish holidays
- Say kaddish at the three services on the annual yahrzeit
- Notify designated family members of the forthcoming annual yahrzeit
Additionally, Hebrew Theological College can establish a plaque on our digital Yahrzeit Memorial Board as well as a regular memorial plaque at our college that contains the deceased’s name and dates of death in both English and Hebrew.
All proceeds from the kaddish and memorial plaque services go directly to the Hebrew Theological College Student Scholarship fund.
Mishloach Manos
HTC is proud to facilitate the Purim mitzvah of Mishloach Manos, delivering nearly 3,000 packages around the Chicagoland community and shipping across the United States. Send beautiful, practical Mishloach Manos to family and friends while supporting HTC.
It is fast, easy and convenient!
When ordering, be sure to explore these features:
- View the list of those to whom you sent Mishloach Manos last year, as well as view the list of those from whom you received Mishloach Manos last year.
- Participate in reciprocity with ease: the cost of reciprocity is charged to your credit card, eliminating the need to send separate payments.
For more information or assistance with your order, please contact Tziyona Cohen at (847) 982-2500x1132 or tziyona.cohen@htc.edu.
Bigdei Yisrael
Each year, the Rabbi William Z. and Eda Bess Novick z”l Bigdei Yisrael program collects more than seven tons of clothing for families in need in Israel. Since the program’s inception in 2010, HTC has collected nearly 100,000 pounds of clothing for Israel.
Donate
Bigdei Yisrael accepts donations of the following clothing items:
- Jackets and coats
- Baby clothing and shoes
- Children’s clothing and shoes
- Women’s clothing and accessories (no shoes)
- Men’s clothing (no shoes)
- Linens
- Towels
- Blankets
All items should be clean and in "like new" condition.
Volunteer
There are many ways to get involved. Volunteers take part in sorting clothes, providing community outreach, and more. To learn more, contact the project chairs at bigdeiyisrael@htc.edu.
The Need In Israel
Despite Israel’s achievements in medicine, technology and agriculture, its population still has many in need. A 2018 study showed that almost 20% of the country’s population, including more than 800,000 children, live below the poverty line.
Rabbi William Z. & Eda Bess Novick, Z"L
Rabbi William Z. and Eda Bess Novick z”l dedicated their lives to the land and people of Israel, as well as to Jewish education. They were actively involved in organizations across Chicagoland. For 40 years, Rabbi Novick served as Director of the Midwest Division of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science.
The Novick Family established the Bigdei Yisrael program as a tribute to Rabbi and Mrs. Novick. When visiting Israel, they often brought many suitcases of clothing themselves to help those in need.
Minyan Schedule
Weekday:
- Shacharis: 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.
- Mincha: 1:30 p.m.
- Maariv: 8:45 p.m.
Shabbos:
- Friday night Mincha/Maariv: 15 minutes before sundown
- Shabbos Shacharis: 8:30 a.m.
- Shabbos Mincha: 35 minutes before sundown
- Saturday Night Maariv: 60 minutes after sundown
Torah In The Community
For nearly a century, HTC has provided community Torah lectures that enrich our academic and spiritual growth. Guest speakers provide unique insights to HTC students and the greater Chicago community. Most lectures are free and open to the public.
Weekly Lectures and Classes:
- Thursdays: Gourmet Torah at Shallots Bistro: Lunch and Learn, 7016 Carpenter Road, Skokie, from 12:35 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Men and women are welcome. For more information, please call Rabbi Joshua Zisook at (847) 982-2500 ext. 1113. Subscribe to our weekly email, which includes the speaker, topic and menu.
- Biblical Scholar Badges & Micro-Credential: Learners can earn a Biblical Studies badge for completing a 1-credit course focused on the analytical study and traditional interpretation of the Hebrew Biblical text. Completion of six badges leads to a micro-credential.
Monthly Lectures:
- Sarah Hartman Women's College is proud to host the Samuel T. and Sarah W. Cohen High Tea and Torah Lecture series.
Annual Lectures:
- The Annual Bariff Yom Iyun Series for Women at Sarah Hartman Women's College includes of two inspirational lectures by respected Rabbis in the community takes place before the Yomim Noraim.