Lunch and Learn - How do we do it?

Every day, from 1:45 until 2:25, visitors to Rabbi Gissinger’s magnificent shul on Sunset Road can see tens of baalei batim carving time out of their day to connect with the Ribbono Shel Olam. After the Mincha minyan concludes, they sit down to hear a 25 minute shiur from a rotating cycle of prominent marbitzei Torah. When the shiur ends, participants can choose from a variety of dishes set up along the wall, which they can pack up to go, and bring back to the office or business. The lineup of maggidei shiur include R' Dov Halperin, R' Yitzchok Schechter, R Eli Oelbaum, R Aharon Walkin and R Avrohom Asher Makovsky. Since its inception in 2008, the organization has made an effort to bring in speakers who can inspire and enlighten. Some of those who have spoken at the daily learning session in the past include. R’ Tzvi Steinberg, currently the Rov in Denver, Colorado and Rabbi Bookman, author of the Lost Scotch, a book that deals with inyonei choshen mishpat.

“The truth is, everyone needs to find a mincha in the afternoon, especially during the winter,” said R' Shmuel Zaidman, the new Executive Director of the Lunch n’ Learn program. R' Shmuel Zaidman, a health insurance broker, became familiar with the program as an attendee. “I needed somewhere to daven, so I began to come here from my office. After a few days, I realized that people weren’t leaving; they were sitting down to learn, so I figured I’ll try it. I loved the program and I’ve been coming ever since.” His involvement has recently increased, as he took the reins of leadership of the organization, with an eye to the future. “We want to expand the program to Sundays as well, when many people are home from work.” He is joined in his leadership position by Reb Elya Shreibman, managing food Director of the program.

The crowd that attends the shiur is diverse. “We have lots of self-employed, soon to be employed, and retirees. For the working man, it’s an opportunity to grab some Torah during a busy day. For the others, it adds some structure to their day. You get out of the house and attend a stimulating shiur. And there’s a free lunch!”

The shiurim are catered to its audience. Even those who would like to attend, can only come a few times a week. Hence, the rotating maggidei shiur. “We didn’t want to have the type of program where if you miss a day, you’re behind and have to catch up. We realize that people need flexibility in middle of the work day and won’t always be able to participate. Therefore, we decided to have different topics every day, so if you weren’t here on Monday, there is no reason why you can’t join on Tuesday.”

The food, says R' Shmuel , is as good as the inspiration. “We have pretty much every major caterer and restaurant lined up to sponsor lunch for our participants. The large number of sponsors eases the burden somewhat, because it spreads the cost around. So if you come learn, you can be assured that you will go back to work with a meal that is from the best that Lakewood has to offer.” Other program costs are financed through private donations, and fundraising events.

-Yated