The Etta Kossowsky Fund Study Groups

The study groups in Israel, set up to commemorate Etta’s love of Torah learning, have grown considerably since they were started by a group of Etta’s friends. Over two hundred women of all ages and interests come together on a regular basis to further their understanding of the many facets of Torah learning. Several groups have now been learning for over eleven years and the standard of the discussions clearly reflects the progress in handling sources of every kind.

In Bet Shemesh there are three study groups. One group studies Sefer Hachinuch as the basic text and is enthusiastic about their review of the mitzvot. A second group has gone back to the weekly Haftara, analysing the text and relating it to the weekly Torah reading. The third group divides its study into two; in part one, a member of the group discusses one of the 613 mitzvot, again in the context of Sefer Hachinuch; in the second part, a topic from the weekly Torah section is discussed from a 'Chasidut' perspective.

Jerusalem boasts four groups. The Gemara class has triumphantly completed Tractate Berakhot, and begun on the very different Tractate Kidushin. Most of the women in this group are more experienced students; almost every sentence leads to a keen discussion. Two other groups are continuing their study of Tenach. A small group studies a section of the weekly Torah reading with the commentaries of Rashi and Ramban.

In Talmon the learning sponsored by the Etta Kossowsky Fund is very different. The women in Gush Dolev-Talmonim have set up a women's 'Beit Midrash'. There are learning sessions and related activities by day and in the evenings for the entire area. The Etta Kossowsky Fund makes a regular monthly financial contribution to the Beit Midrash. Certain classes or activities are specifically dedicated to Etta z.l., but the money is used by the Beit Midrash as it wishes.

The youngest group, in Modi’in, is enjoying the Book of Joshua. The women take turns to give the weekly shiur and all participate and bring material to the class. And it does not end there - comments on the topic continue by Email.