Partners In Shas

In an unprecedented sale, 11,000 seats to the Siyum HaShas on August 1 were sold in one transaction. The buyer: Partners in Torah. 11,000 tickets represent 12% of all tickets available. Initially, one would usually suspect that such a large block of tickets are purchased for resale on stubhub.com. I spoke to Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, the director of Partners in Torah, who informed me that the tickets are in fact for resale, but not on stubhub.com!

Partners in Torah’s signature phone study program offers Jewish adults of all backgrounds across North America a cost-free learning opportunity to discover Judaism—its culture, history, and traditions—at their pace and their schedule. Jewish men and women with an interest in acquiring specific skills or who simply want to build on their Jewish knowledge-base are matched, one-to-one, with a carefully selected personal Torah trainer or “mentor” for up to an hour a week of over-the-phone study and discussion. Participants can choose any topic including Hebrew, Jewish philosophy, or history. In its 19 years of operation, Partners in Torah has engaged more than 45,000 intellectually curious Jews across North America, and today supports some 4,000 weekly study partnerships (over 8,000 individuals!).

I asked Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, “11,000 seats is an awfully large amount of seats. I understand that you have many people learning together, but do you actually think you can find buyers for 11,000 seats? Who are these seats for?” Rabbi Gewirtz explained that he felt that the 12th Siyum HaShas is an awesome opportunity to attract currently semi-affiliated or unaffiliated Jews to Torah learning. After all, every Jewish neshamah was at ma’amad Har Sinai. Why shouldn’t Jews of all backgrounds be present at the largest celebration of Torah learning in over 2,000 years?”

In the past, the Siyum HaShas was primarily attended by members of various Orthodox communities who have completed the Talmudic learning cycle. Only a small segment of Jews outside the Orthodox community have attended. Partners in Torah launched a new initiative to change that—MySiyum.com offers visitors a chance to prepare for the Siyum HaShas by making their own siyum from a selection of manageable texts. MySiyum.com will match anyone interested in completing a Jewish text with a free, over-the-phone mentor who will assist them in achieving their goal in time for the Siyum HaShas. Although finishing a text is not required in order to attend the event, doing so will give participants an additional common thread with others there. Siyum haShas tickets are for sale on this website. The hope is that enough people will sign up to participate in this project and purchase the Siyum tickets. (Otherwise, we may see scalpers outside the stadium!)

“Can a Jew who doesn’t understand Yiddish and even English interspersed with Torah words feel comfortable at the Siyum?” Rabbi Gewirtz explained, “There will only be two Yiddish speakers this year. Further, due to the late start time, the program is supposed to be relatively short: only three hours. That time also includes two prayers: Minchah and Ma’ariv. Even unaffiliated Jews will be uplifted at this momentous event.”

MySiyum.com’s message of Jewish unity is one designed to resonate throughout the Jewish world. Says Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, “Never has the need for Jewish unity been more critical, and the Siyum HaShas is the perfect venue for Jews from all backgrounds to get together and to express their respect and love for one another and for their shared heritage. It’s been a long time since we stood together—too long. Now is the time for all Jews to celebrate Jewish learning, Jewish life, and the beauty of the wider Jewish community.”

For those that bring an unaffiliated Jew to the Siyum, Partners in Torah will give the purchaser a $20 discount on his ticket as a small incentive.