We Need More Tzili Schneiders
Ynet (Hebrew) has an article about Tzili Schneider and her work through Kesher Yehudi [Hebrew/English] (Jewish Connection). (hat tip) Tzili is an ultra-Orthodox women, mother of eleven, who grew up in Meah Shearim. A few years ago she decided that she was going to do something in order to bring Jews of different backgrounds together, and Kesher Yehudi was the answer. The organization makes shidduchs, not of the romantic type, but of the learning type. Kesher Yehudi pairs together two people who want to learn together.
The ḥevrutot study classical Jewish texts, preferably something that neither of them has ever learned. Schneider is emphatic that the motive is not to make the non-religious more religious, it is to break down barriers of alienation and ignorance. People who missionize, whether to become more or less religious, are not welcome, and she has thrown people out because of inappropriate motives or behavior.
The article goes on to say that there are a number of similar organizations, and gives an estimated number of 10,000 ḥevrutot that are currently learning together, whether they be over the phone or in person. A longer article will be published later this week in Motza”sh.
