As members of Congregation Toras Chaim, my family and I have felt fortunate and privileged to be able to daven, learn Torah, and grow in the quality of our relationship with Hashem and with each other. Over time, we have come to rely on the availability of quiet and respectful services, inspirational and crystal clear shiurim, the quick availability of critical halachic advice, and the support and encouragement of a Rabbi Rich.
It is beyond me how our little shul has merited to become a center for serious Torah learning. There is a chabura that gathers at Rabbi Rich’s dining room table every Sunday morning at 6:30 AM to learn Hilchos Ta’aruvos from the Germara to the Shuchan Aruch. There is another group learning Mesechtas Megilla that attends a 6 AM shiur and then reviews b’chevrusa after Maariv until 10 PM. And this is in addition to those who have committed to learn Daf Yomi. There is also a group of men who meet with Rabbi Rich and a group of women who meet with Rebbetzin Rich to learn Torah-based guidance on how to improve and strengthen their marriages, and during the Shabbos Chumash shiur, both men and woman have gathered together since the inception of the shul to learn every single Rashi in the Chumash.
Other Rabbis have joined in the effort to bringing serious Torah learning to our community. Rabbi Avi Bloomenstiel has attracted quite a following for his Chassidus class on Shabbos as well as his Sunday “Back to Basics” class. Many women are strengthening their knowledge of Hilchos Shabbos with the Shabbos Halacha class given by Rabbi Bodenheimer at his home every Wednesday. Rabbi Shapiro has recently started a very popular Tanya class given every Thursday, and people are leaning Lashon HaKodesh in earnest with Rabbi Benklifa every Sunday. There is even a Junior Congregation and Shalosh Seudos for the boys every Shabbos led by the very popular Simcha Itskavich.
All of this is in addition to the wonderful family/social atmosphere that permeates everything at the shul through such programs as: Mommy & Me and Coffee Club for women & children on Shabbos mornings led by Shuli Bloomenstiel, Shalosh Seudos every Shabbos afternoon at the Rich home, and special women’s only and children’s only events during Chanukah and Purim; Learn and Burn and Tasting 36 programs for men; Friday night catered dinners, Oneg Shabboses, and Shabbatons; and our famous community wide Non-Holiday party and Lag B’Omer BBQ. Oh, and who can forget our incredible Purim Seudah open to all.
We must keep in mind that this explosion in Torah learning and programming did not occur by chance. Rather, we have arrived at this point as a result of many individual commitments to make a fixed time for learning, to daven in a minyan, and to grow in observance of Torah and mitzvos. We have also made this journey because of Rabbi Rich’s ceaseless commitment to our shul and its members.
In addition to our commitment to learn and to grow is our obligation to financially support the tzibbur, or congregation, to ensure that we and our families and our community may continue to benefit from what Congregation Toras Chaim makes possible. One important way to support CTC is though membership.
This year’s membership rates are $1200 per family, which includes high-holiday tickets for all immediate members of the family, members-only pricing on shul events, preferential pricing on various sponsorships, as well as the right to participate in and vote in congregational meetings and participate in a leadership role in the congregation. For example, the member in good standing cost of sponsoring a Kiddush going forward will be $150, while the non-member cost will be $250. Please speak with me, or Wes Sutkin concerning convenient ways that membership may be paid.
I encourage everyone who has personally benefitted from what CTC has to offer, and everyone who has been inspired by the strength and commitment to Torah learning that Rabbi Rich and CTC has brought to North Dallas, to join me in supporting CTC by renewing and/or establishing a membership.
Ben Nise, CTC President (Click to send Ben an email)