Community Services | Hebrew Theological College | Touro University

Community Services | Hebrew Theological College | Touro University
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 (224) 406-8902.
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.
For sponsorships in the Likutei Peshatim print edition, please
click here
. For assistance or questions, please email Mrs. Samber at
nsamber@touro.edu
or call
(224) 406-8912
Thank you to the Crain-Maling Foundation for generously sponsoring Likutei Peshatim online.
The electronic edition of Likutei Peshatim is distributed via e-mail on Thursday afternoons.
Subscribe to the Electronic Edition
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.
Register for
kaddish
and memorial services
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.
2025 Clothing Drive will take place on May 25 from 1-3 pm at HTC.
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 NEW.
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: 7:45 a.m. (Main Beis Midrash) and 7:45 a.m. (High School Beis Midrash)
Mincha: 1:40 p.m. (Main Beis Midrash) and 2:30 p.m. (Kollel in Cheder Iyun - Beis Midrash Building)
Maariv: 9:45 p.m. (Main Beis Midrash)
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
View Minyan details at GoDaven.com
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:
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.