Torah MiTzion - Religious Zionist Kollels

Aims of the Kollelim Tzioniim in the Diaspora

1.  To endeavor to disseminate the study and knowledge of Torah amongst Am Yisrael by religious Shlichim, who shall be Zionist models of Torah scholars, acting in the spirit of: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.”

2.  To strengthen Jewish identity and to forge links with all Jews.

3.  To bridge between Israel and Jewish communities in the Diaspora, while emphasizing the centrality of the State of Israel.

4.  To disseminate the values of religious Zionism by promoting the ideal of “Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael according to Torat Yisrael” and by personal example to the various target populations: students, youth, adults, men and women.

5.  To encourage Aliya; to encourage educational programs in Israel, of both short and long duration.

 

Partners to the Enterprise

Collaborating and working together with various organizations:

1.  Bnei Akiva – Kollel Shlichim are ideally placed to strengthen the activities of Bnei Akiva through Shiurim, hadracha, educational and ethical support.

2.  World Mizrachi – Collaboration on the basis of the religious Zionist ideal, strengthening and supporting existing institutions.

3.  Jewish Agency (Sochnut) – To aspire to include their representatives in Torah MiTzion’s activities.

4.  Tehilla – Encouragement of Aliya and absorption assistance.

 

Relations with Other Streams

Argument merely for its own sake must not be done with members of other streams. Our motto is to “love all creatures and bring them close to the Torah.”

Shlichim should avoid entering into theological arguments with Reform, Conservative, Masorti or non-religious Jews. Instead, Shlichim should endeavor to attract them to learn together in chevrutot, and to preach by way of personal example. A global approach should be taken to solving problems that arise. Shlichim should not get involved and express political opinions, not should they exacerbate political struggles. Similarly, they should not intervene or meddle in communal politics.

Our objective is to spread Torah from the Zionist standpoint, without competition or rivalry with other religious institutions which are not Zionist.

Our aim is to put forward a religious Zionist alternative.

 

Modes of Action

By influencing, through various means:

• Through dedication to learning Torah, retaining a high standard of learning and many chevrutot.

• Through formal and informal meetings, through hospitality on Shabbat and Chagim.

• Through Divrei Torah in Shull, disseminating Torah at every opportunity and platform possible.

• Through planning prominent events and attractions throughout the year, through communal events and bringing over guest lecturers.

 

Halakhic Aspects

1. Second day of Yom Tov in Chutz La’Aretz – to behave as if melacha is forbidden even in private (except for putting on Tefillin privately) and to act in coordination with the Rosh Kollel.

2. Chevrutot – to reach all Jews, irrespective of their views on religion and Zionism.

3. No learning in mixed chevrutot (males – females together). Learning in the company of two or more females is to take place only in the Beit Midrash.

4. Neither the Rosh Kollel nor the Shlichim are permitted to publicly broadcast Halakhic rulings; this is the task of the local Rabbis. Only the Rosh Kollel shall decide Halakhic matters relating to the Shlichut or the Shlichim.

• Team work – behave amicably towards your colleagues on Shlichut, and accept the authority of the Rosh Kollel.

• Conflicts between Shlichim shall be resolved via the Rosh Kollel, and thereafter through the local Kollel Board or the Office in Jerusalem. Should relations worsen, consideration shall be given to terminating the Shlichim’s Shlichut, after giving advance warning.

• Shlichim must devote their best efforts to avoiding conflicts and, first and foremost, “not to wash their dirty linen out in public”.

 

Administration:

Regular Work Meetings

There will be regular work meetings, which shall be summarized in Minutes; the Kollel’s activities will be filed in an orderly fashion.

 

Reports

One Shaliach shall be responsible for reporting to the Office in Jerusalem. Once a month, this Shaliach shall send a report of the Kollel’s activities, accompanied by copies of flyers and photos.

 

Bulletin Board

Each Kollel shall have a “Torah MiTzion” bulletin board containing:

• Contact numbers and profile of Shlichim (primarily at the beginning of the year).

• History of place, area or Yishuv from where Shlichim originate.

• Personal details / achievements – religious, public, military.

• Daily news – for example, Arutz 7 in Hebrew and English.

• Regular activities or special events.

 

Exams on Topics Learnt by Kollel

The Rosh Kollel may, in his discretion, set exams or give the Shlichim a “final presentation” to complete on the subject-matter learnt.

Each Kollel shall strive to publish / circulate a book or booklet of articles, incorporating these final presentations as well as other articles written throughout the Shlichut.

 

Vacation

The Sedarim and activities of the Kollel will take place on every day of the week, including Sundays and local-national holidays.

Vacation may only be taken in coordination with, and with the approval of, the Rosh Kollel and/or the Kollel Board.

Any journey outside of the city / State must be taken only with the prior approval of the Rosh Kollel.

 

Bituach Leumi

Every Shaliach must continue making payments to Bituach Leumi in Israel, and must notify them of his departure date from Israel and return date home, in order to protect his rights covered by national insurance.

 

Illness

The Shaliach must notify the Office in Jerusalem, according to the severity of the illness.

 

Visits to Israel

Any Shaliach who visits Israel shall inform the Office in advance of the dates of his visit, and shall make contact with the Office during his stay in Israel.

 

Contacting the Office

Contact with the Office in Jerusalem shall be made by either e-mail (preferably), fax or post. The nature of the query should be pointed out, as well as its level of importance – urgency. Only in pressing circumstances should telephone contact be made with the Office.

 

Conduct in Bachurim’s Apartment

The apartment shall be clean and tidy, pleasant and welcoming to guests at all times.

Females should not be hosted in the apartment. If an activity is to be performed together with females, such as a meal or learning session, they may be invited to the activity, but only for that purpose.

 

External Appearance

Male Shlichim shall appear as befits a ben-Yeshiva – in dress, haircut etc. On Shabbat, a white shirt shall be worn. Shlichim must not walk around outside of their apartment in short trousers (other than to engage in sport).

Additional requirements may be made, according to the need, at the discretion of the Rosh Kollel.

 

Hitch-hiking (trempim)

It is completely forbidden to hitch-hike or to take hitch-hikers.

 

Termination of Shlichut

A Shaliach who wishes to terminate his Shlichut may do so by giving one month’s advance warning.

The Office executive in Israel and/or the head of the program in the Kehillah may terminate the Shlichut of a Shaliach for improper behavior, such as:

• Not accepting the authority of the Rosh Kollel;

• Conduct that is not becoming of a ben Torah;

• Infringement of the Kollel’s guidelines.

A Shaliach who is returned to Israel shall not be entitled to receive any compensation (pitzuim) whatsoever.

 

Receiving Money

Shlichim are not permitted to receive any monetary payment or payment in kind in exchange for activities performed in the framework of the Kollel, such as for Bar Mitzva lessons. By contrast, modest gifts may be received in return for such activities, after prior coordination with the Rosh Kollel.

Shlichim shall not have side jobs, and shall not engage in any activity outside of the Kollel.

 

Fundraising

Shlichim may not engage in fundraising or represent any organization, other than Torah MiTzion.

 

Tiyulim

Naturally, to tour and see the world is a great experience; however, any tiyul must only be made after prior coordination with the Rosh Kollel.

Shlichim must ensure that “you guard your selves very well” in the course of the Tiyul.

 

Places of Entertainment

Shlichim must not go into places of entertainment (such as: pubs, discos, bars, casinos etc.) which do not befit a ben-Torah.

 

Conclusion of Shlichut

Upon conclusion of the Shlichut, and with the Shaliach’s return to Israel, the Shaliach shall report his arrival to the Office and shall arrange a time for a feedback discussion with the Office team.